Month: January 2022

Blog: Community Safety Stories

TV and Furniture Tip-Overs cause harm the could easily be avoided

by Brenda Plascencia

Would you bring a baby home from the hospital without a car seat or have your child ride a bike without a helmet? This blog post provides information about how to protect your children from another potential safety risk:  protecting your children from TV and furniture tip-overs.

“From 2017 through 2019, an average of more than 11,000 children per year were treated in hospital ERs for injuries related to tip-over incidents, according to CPSC. An overwhelming majority, or 79%, of the fatalities were kids younger than six, and 75% of the deaths involved a TV”, per the article from CBS News, found at    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/furniture-tipover-deaths-2000-2019/. 

Did you know that every 3 weeks, a child dies from a television tipping over?  Each day, ten kids go to the ER because of a TV tip-over.  Per information shared by Safe Kids Worldwide, there are several simple ways that parents and caregivers can help protect them, so they do not become a statistic. 

  1. Secure TVs. Mount flat-panel TVs to the wall. Place older, box-style TVs (CRTs) on low, stable furniture that can hold the weight. Mount flat screen TVs to the wall. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you protect your wall and have a secure fit. If you have a heavier, box-style cathode ray tube (CRT) TV place it on a low, stable piece of furniture that can hold the TV’s size and weight.
  2. Attach furniture to the wall. Use anti-tip brackets, braces or wall straps to secure furniture to the wall. Install stops on dresser drawers to keep them from being pulled all the way out. Use anti-tip brackets, braces or wall straps to secure furniture to the wall. Install stops on dresser drawers to keep them from being pulled all the way out. Multiple open drawers can cause the weight to shift, making it easier for a dresser to tip over.
  3. Rearrange household items. Store heavy objects on lower shelves or in lower drawers. Avoid placing remote controls, toys or other items in places where kids might be tempted to climb up or reach for them. Keep heavier items on lower shelves and in lower drawers. Avoid placing remote controls, food, toys or other items in places where kids might be tempted to climb up or reach for them.
  4. Recycle old TVs. To find a location that safely and easily recycles unwanted TVs, go to  www.GreenerGadgets.org.

Blog: Community Safety Stories

Safety Superhero

by Brenda Plascencia

Our Coalition has implemented the “Safety Superhero” recognition program.  The goal is to recognize a child who sets a good example for others by practicing safe behaviors.

What makes a Safety Superhero?  There are many reasons they can be nominated for this recognition and chosen as a Safety Superhero.  Here are a few ideas for you.

Do they always remind the family to buckle up?

Do they wear a properly fitted helmet and encourage others to do the same?

Do, they always make sure to wear their life jacket (hopefully, U.S. Coast-Guard approved!)?

Do they help take care of their siblings? 

Do they remind you to practice safe habits such as replacing batteries, checking fire alarms, checking CO detectors, wearing warm clothes when playing outside in cold weather, and/or being safe around fires?

It is easy to nominate a child.  You don’t have to be a parent or guardian but if you are not the parent/guardian, please obtain the parent’s’ permission as we do ask you to supply us with a photo of the child to use in our newsletter and on social media.  Parent prefers us to not use a photo of the child? That is fine, you can still nominate a child.

Tell us why you think the child is a Superhero to you and they could be a monthly winner.  Each nominee will receive a Certificate of Heroism and one child will be chosen as the Safety Superhero of the Month and receive a special prize!

Winter Safety Tips

by Brenda Plascencia

It’s cold outside and we wanted to share some safety tips with you. 

With the ever-changing weather wreaking havoc on our roads, on our bodies and our homes in these beautiful Montana communities, we can use some common logic and some great advice to help keep ourselves an others safe.  Here are some tips for you.

  • Warming a vehicle is important for your comfort and safety but please remember to move the vehicle out of the garage immediately after starting it. 
  • If you park outside, walk around your vehicle to ensure that the tailpipe if free of clogs.
  • Ensure that you are all wearing warm layers however do not leave bulky layers on as the harness will not pull tight enough to keep you and/or others safe.
  • The sun can still some out and cause damage to your skin so make sure to use sunscreen and stay fully hydrated.
  • Travel those winter roads with extra supplies such as water, a blanket, and small snacks such as granola bars. 
  • Wear warm (water-proof, if possible) clothing, and have your kids come indoors periodically to prevent hypothermia or frostbite.
  • Make sure your kids use the proper gear, like helmets, when they are skiing, snowboarding or playing ice hockey.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.safekids.org/blog/home-or-road-heres-your-cold-weather-safety-checklist