Author: Brenda Plascencia

Trains – Bigger and Faster

Have you ever seen someone race a train to get across tracks? Or how about not stopping at a stop sign. Ever seen a crash between a train and a vehicle? Trains travel fast and take a much longer time to come to a stop that a vehicle. There are several ways that we each can keep ourselves and others safe. Operation Lifesaver has a plethora of information and this blogger wanted to share some of their tips as well as their website.

  1. Freight trains do not travel at fixed times, and schedules for passenger trains often change. Always expect a train at each highway-rail intersection at any time.
  1. All train tracks are private property. Never walk on tracks; it is illegal trespass and highly dangerous. It takes the average freight train traveling at 55 mph more than a mile—the length of eighteen football fields—to stop. Trains cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
  2. The average locomotive weighs about 400,000 pounds or two hundred tons; it can weigh up to 6,000 tons. This makes the weight ratio of a car to a train proportional to that of a soda can to a car. We all know what happens to a soda can hit by a car.
  3. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time over emergency vehicles, cars, the police, and pedestrians.
  4. A train can extend three feet or more beyond the steel rail, putting the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the three-foot mark. If there are rails on the railroad ties, always assume the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks unused.
  5. Trains can move in either direction at any time. Sometimes its cars are pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled, which is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
  6. Today’s trains are quieter than ever, producing no telltale “clackety-clack.” Any approaching train is always closer, moving faster, than you think.
  7. Remember to cross train tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings and obey all warning signs and signals posted there.
  8. Stay alert around railroad tracks. Refrain from texting, headphones or other distractions that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train; never mix rails and recreation.

Shared from Safety Near Trains | Operation Lifesaver (oli.org)

Car Seat Techs: Who and how to be one

Many parents misuse their child restraints and need help to get it right. That is where a Child Passenger Safety Technician comes in handy.

Have YOU ever wanted to help parents and caregivers to learn how to install their car seat and/or booster seats? Have you heard about events where folks get one-on-one personalized instruction on how to safely use their child’s car seat? You can join the team of over 43,000 nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) and be that community advocate or resource in your community!

As a CPS technician, you will put your knowledge to work through a variety of activities, including community presentations and/or child safety seat checks where parents and caregivers receive education and direct assistance with the proper use of child restraint systems and seat belts.

Safe Kids Worldwide has a website that gives individuals detailed information on how to become a technician, how to find a technician, and the Ultimate Care Seat Guide. In addition, this website provides resources for those who are techs. Learn more at https://cert.safekids.org/.

Rub a Dub, Dub – Prepare for bath time

As an adult, we walk into a bathroom and turn on the tub or shower, arrange a bath mat, get out a towel and adjust the temperature of the water. Babies and young children do not have the skills to get the bathroom and shower/tub ready for bath time thus we adults must childproof that room for them.

One of the easiest ways to avoid bathroom injuries is to make sure the bathroom is not accessible to young children. Whether it is installing a latch on the door, where they cannot reach it or making sure that locks can be unlocked from the outside of the door, you can take preventative steps to reduce injuries. This is especially true as, according to the Center for Disease Control, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7 percent of all injury-related deaths and the highest drowning rates are children 1-4 years of age.

The author of this bog post wanted to share tips from the web page of healthychildren.org. These include:

  • As children can drown in just a few inches of water, it is important to always supervise them, always. Even if the telephone rings or someone is at the door, make sure to take the child with you. You can always go back to bath time, if needed.
  • Water Temperature is important to be the proper temperature to ensure that children to not get scalded. It is recommended that the water heater should not be more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Before placing the child in the water, place a wrist or elbow in the water to ensure that it feels warm, not hot, to the touch.
  • Slips and Falls can happen at any time, but by preparing the room first, those chances can be reduced or prevented. Install no-slip strips on the bottom of the bathtub, place a cushioned cover on the water faucet, close the toilet seat and install a toilet lid lock.
  • Medicine and toiletries should always be stored up, away, out of sight and in a locked cabinet. Many types of child safety devices are available if you do not have a locking cabinet.
  • Electric appliances, especial hair dryers and razors can be a hazard, even if there is not water around.

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

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.

Safety Superhero

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

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