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4th of July Independence Day -- Safety Tips
The National Council on Fireworks Safety (NCFS) urges you to put safety first when celebrating this Fourth of July. Legal fireworks are safer than ever, in part because of stringent federal safety standards enacted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1976. The incidence of fireworks-related injuries has dropped dramatically during the past 10 years, according to Ann Crampton, executive director of the NCFS. But she says it can be cut further by following a few simple guidelines.
"Only use legal fireworks," she says. "The key, of course, is being able to recognize what's legal and what's not. Legal fireworks conform to the standards. Illegal ones often don't."
The Consumer Product Safety Commission requires that legal fireworks show the name of the item, the name of the manufacturer or distributor and easy-to-read cautionary labeling and instructions for proper use. Currently, 32 states, plus the District of Columbia, allow the use of some or all types of consumer fireworks.
"Commonly used fireworks include cones, fountains, and sparklers," Ms. Crampton says. "Before setting off any fireworks, contact your local police or fire department to make sure fireworks are allowed in your area."
Illegal devices include M80s, M100s and silver salutes. They have been federally banned since 1966 because of the large amounts of illegal explosives they contain. "Don't confuse these items with legal, consumer fireworks. Illegal devices will usually be unlabeled, will not bear a caution statement and will not list the manufacturer's name," cautioned Ms. Crampton. "Illegal explosive devices are extremely dangerous and can cause serious injuries. If you find any illegal items, or know of anyone selling them, contact the police immediately."
If you choose to use consumer fireworks to celebrate this year's Fourth of July festivities, remember the following safety tips from the
National Council on Fireworks Safety:
•A responsible adult should supervise all fireworks activities.
•Never give fireworks to young children.
•Always purchase fireworks from reliable sources.
•Follow label directions carefully.
•Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
•Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from buildings and vehicles.
•Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them in metal or glass containers.
•Light them one at a time then move back quickly.
•Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.
•Observe local laws and use common sense.
•Sparklers, fountains and other items that many states allow for use by consumers are not appropriate when a large crowd is present.
•If attending a community display, leave your own fireworks at home -- there will be plenty of excitement provided by the display.
For more information on Fireworks safety, visit the National Council on Fireworks Safety web site.
Information for this Post provided by: fabulousliving.com
Teen online safety mostly about behavior
The Internet and the way young people use technology are constantly evolving, but the safety messages change very slowly, if at all.
Like technology itself, Internet safety has to evolve. Back in 1994, when I wrote the first widely disseminated Internet safety publication, I advised parents not to let kids put personal information or photos online and — because of what turned out to be an exaggerated fear of predators — I urged them to avoid online conversations with strangers. Back then, along with trying to keep kids away from porn, Internet safety was mostly about protecting children from dangerous adults.
But starting around 2005, a new phase of the Web — often referred to as “Web 2.0″ — prompted some Internet safety advocates to focus on ways kids could get in trouble for what they post on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. It was in that year that Anne Collier and I founded BlogSafety.org (later renamed ConnnectSafely.org) so we could provide a forum for discussing safety issues on the Web. It was also around that time that politicians and the media, especially the TV show “To Catch a Predator,” started whipping up fears of predators trolling the Web for vulnerable children.
But after carefully reviewing available research, statistics show that the likelihood of a young person being harmed by an online stranger is quite rare, and sexual solicitations and harassment are most often from peers. And to the extent it has occurred, it affects teens, not young children. Based on studies by the Crimes Against Children Research Center, the overwhelming majority of crimes against youths continue to take place in the “real world,” mostly by adults known to the child.
But that doesn’t mean that the Internet is a risk-free zone. It’s just that young people are far more likely to be harmed by other youth or the consequences of their own online behavior than by adult criminals.
Their interactions are largely with people they know from the real world. As danah boyd (she prefers a lower case d & b) observed in her doctoral dissertation, Taken Out of Context: American Teen Sociality in Networked Publics (PDF), “teen participation in social network sites is driven by their desire to socialize with peers. Their participation online is rarely divorced from offline peer culture; teens craft digital self-expressions for known audiences and they socialize almost exclusively with people they know.”
This understanding of youth risk led to a whole new phase of Internet safety education focusing on such things as cyberbullying and urging youth to avoid posting material that could be embarrassing or get them into trouble with authorities and potential future employers. Recently, the focus has turned to the emotional and legal consequences of “sexting,” — kids sending nude pictures of themselves via cell phones or the Web. But Anne Collier observed in NetFamilyNews.org, we run the risk of “technopanics” over sexting and bullying.
What we’ve learned from observing how kids use the Net, mobile phones, gaming devices and other interactive technology is that there is really no distinction between online and offline behaviors. Technology is woven into their lives. They don’t go online, they ARE online. So it’s really about youth safety — not Internet safety.
It’s about helping young people make wise choices not just in how they use technology but in how they live their lives. Internet safety is more than just the absence of danger. It also includes finding ways to use technology for learning, collaboration, community building, political activism, self-help and reaching out to others.
These are not just philosophical arguments. They’re pragmatic because preaching about safety or trying lock down the Internet doesn’t protect kid. Trying to instill fear — especially based on myths — actually increases danger because it causes kids to tune out good advice.
Sure, there are technologies that can keep kids from using social networking services or visiting inappropriate Web sites. But, like fences around swimming pools, the use of filters at home and school can’t protect them forever. That’s why we teach kids to swim. Not only does knowing how to swim help prevent drowning, it empowers them to thrive in the water instead of fearing it. The same is true with technology. As kids mature into teens, we must pull back on the technological controls in favor of self-control.
In an email interview, Dr. Larry Rosen, Professor of Psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills and author of Me, MySpace and I: Parenting the Net Generation observed, “sadly, too many parents think that using technology to track their children’s keystrokes or restrict access to certain websites is sufficient parenting. It is not. Parents must be involved with their children’s virtual lifestyles developing trust, being aware of any potential problems, learning about the technologies they use, and communicating often.”
Article provided by: http://www.safekids.com/
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Like technology itself, Internet safety has to evolve. Back in 1994, when I wrote the first widely disseminated Internet safety publication, I advised parents not to let kids put personal information or photos online and — because of what turned out to be an exaggerated fear of predators — I urged them to avoid online conversations with strangers. Back then, along with trying to keep kids away from porn, Internet safety was mostly about protecting children from dangerous adults.
But starting around 2005, a new phase of the Web — often referred to as “Web 2.0″ — prompted some Internet safety advocates to focus on ways kids could get in trouble for what they post on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook. It was in that year that Anne Collier and I founded BlogSafety.org (later renamed ConnnectSafely.org) so we could provide a forum for discussing safety issues on the Web. It was also around that time that politicians and the media, especially the TV show “To Catch a Predator,” started whipping up fears of predators trolling the Web for vulnerable children.
But after carefully reviewing available research, statistics show that the likelihood of a young person being harmed by an online stranger is quite rare, and sexual solicitations and harassment are most often from peers. And to the extent it has occurred, it affects teens, not young children. Based on studies by the Crimes Against Children Research Center, the overwhelming majority of crimes against youths continue to take place in the “real world,” mostly by adults known to the child.
But that doesn’t mean that the Internet is a risk-free zone. It’s just that young people are far more likely to be harmed by other youth or the consequences of their own online behavior than by adult criminals.
Their interactions are largely with people they know from the real world. As danah boyd (she prefers a lower case d & b) observed in her doctoral dissertation, Taken Out of Context: American Teen Sociality in Networked Publics (PDF), “teen participation in social network sites is driven by their desire to socialize with peers. Their participation online is rarely divorced from offline peer culture; teens craft digital self-expressions for known audiences and they socialize almost exclusively with people they know.”
This understanding of youth risk led to a whole new phase of Internet safety education focusing on such things as cyberbullying and urging youth to avoid posting material that could be embarrassing or get them into trouble with authorities and potential future employers. Recently, the focus has turned to the emotional and legal consequences of “sexting,” — kids sending nude pictures of themselves via cell phones or the Web. But Anne Collier observed in NetFamilyNews.org, we run the risk of “technopanics” over sexting and bullying.
What we’ve learned from observing how kids use the Net, mobile phones, gaming devices and other interactive technology is that there is really no distinction between online and offline behaviors. Technology is woven into their lives. They don’t go online, they ARE online. So it’s really about youth safety — not Internet safety.
It’s about helping young people make wise choices not just in how they use technology but in how they live their lives. Internet safety is more than just the absence of danger. It also includes finding ways to use technology for learning, collaboration, community building, political activism, self-help and reaching out to others.
These are not just philosophical arguments. They’re pragmatic because preaching about safety or trying lock down the Internet doesn’t protect kid. Trying to instill fear — especially based on myths — actually increases danger because it causes kids to tune out good advice.
Sure, there are technologies that can keep kids from using social networking services or visiting inappropriate Web sites. But, like fences around swimming pools, the use of filters at home and school can’t protect them forever. That’s why we teach kids to swim. Not only does knowing how to swim help prevent drowning, it empowers them to thrive in the water instead of fearing it. The same is true with technology. As kids mature into teens, we must pull back on the technological controls in favor of self-control.
In an email interview, Dr. Larry Rosen, Professor of Psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills and author of Me, MySpace and I: Parenting the Net Generation observed, “sadly, too many parents think that using technology to track their children’s keystrokes or restrict access to certain websites is sufficient parenting. It is not. Parents must be involved with their children’s virtual lifestyles developing trust, being aware of any potential problems, learning about the technologies they use, and communicating often.”
Article provided by: http://www.safekids.com/
Cyberbullying - Keeping your Kids Safe Online
Todd is a twelve year-old boy. A straight ‘A’ student, Todd is smart and shy and a self-proclaimed "geek" Todd has gotten used to not getting invited to social events like parties or play dates. Instead, he enjoys the companionship he receives from his fantasy role play games online where he has met and chatted with hundreds of other geeks from all over the world. Todd has learned over the years to sit alone at lunch time and spend recess in a classroom working on school work or reading the latest science fiction novel. He has been the victim of bullying. He knows the drill, find an adult, tell them what happened, sit in the principal’s office and witness the perpetrators receive detention or suspensions. The novelty has worn off for the playground bullies, and Todd feels he is "safer" at school than in years passed. Although the daily face-to-face bullying has been reduced, the bullies have found a new way to torment Todd. Hidden away from the watchful protection of teachers and parents, they have begun to harass him electronically. Despite being extremely computer literate and savvy in his ability to block their repeated attempts, Todd recognizes that he is on the defensive every time he boots up his computer or checks his voicemail or text messages. Todd’s new motto is, "Sticks and stones will break your bones but cyberbullying hurts even more! Unfortunately there is no way to protect yourself from devices you have to use throughout the day, and I am NOT giving up my computer or cell phone! Besides, it’s cyberspace! How do you know who to tell on?"
Cyberbullying is defined as willful and repeated harm inflicted through electronic media such as e-mails, instant messages, comments or posts on personal webpage profiles, phone messages, and text messages.
As playground bullying continues to be a real threat to our children, Cyberbullying is a common issue for pre-teens and teens today. Although the emotional response is similar to physical bullying, the dynamics are different. A playground bully needs physical strength and muscle to gain the fear and respect necessary for intimidation. In cyberspace all you need is a computer, cell phone, and persistence. Playground bullies get their reinforcement by the crowd cheering them on, in cyberspace there can be an audience of one or as large as thousands. Today the aggressor posts hurtful, derogatory words on profiles to achieve humiliation and embarrassment. Or a friend can print out a "secret chat" and distribute it to other classmates to reveal feelings. Camera phones also avail children to taking private pictures and distributing them. Hurtful text messages can be sent repeatedly not only costing emotional hurt, but can have financial consequences depending on what plan your child’s cell phone has.
So what can parents do? Computers and cell phones have become "necessities" but there are still ways to establish safe boundaries to help your child handle a cyberbully attack.
Try the following tips to help keep your child safe from abuse:
Discuss with your child the importance of not giving their real name, email address or mobile phone number to people outside their circle of friends and family.
Make sure they only use moderated chat rooms.
Install computer software to ensure that you only receive emails from people you have chosen and to block unwanted images such as this one recently created in Australia.
Consider which cell phone plan is the most appropriate for your child’s age, usage, and discuss the parameters with them before activating the phone.
Encourage your child to talk to you about anything that has been upsetting them.
Tell them they can show you any abusive or offensive messages they’ve received and keep a record of them.
Tell them never to respond to any abusive messages or calls – this is frequently what the abuser wants.
Report any abuse to the police, your child’s school, the internet service provider, the website manager/moderator or the mobile phone company. Use this Report Form to file a report.
As a final resort, consider changing your email address or telephone number if the abuse continues.
For additional tips on how to help your child deal with Cyberbullying please contact me at havi@health-e-connections.com
Article provided by: examiner.com
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Cyberbullying is defined as willful and repeated harm inflicted through electronic media such as e-mails, instant messages, comments or posts on personal webpage profiles, phone messages, and text messages.
As playground bullying continues to be a real threat to our children, Cyberbullying is a common issue for pre-teens and teens today. Although the emotional response is similar to physical bullying, the dynamics are different. A playground bully needs physical strength and muscle to gain the fear and respect necessary for intimidation. In cyberspace all you need is a computer, cell phone, and persistence. Playground bullies get their reinforcement by the crowd cheering them on, in cyberspace there can be an audience of one or as large as thousands. Today the aggressor posts hurtful, derogatory words on profiles to achieve humiliation and embarrassment. Or a friend can print out a "secret chat" and distribute it to other classmates to reveal feelings. Camera phones also avail children to taking private pictures and distributing them. Hurtful text messages can be sent repeatedly not only costing emotional hurt, but can have financial consequences depending on what plan your child’s cell phone has.
So what can parents do? Computers and cell phones have become "necessities" but there are still ways to establish safe boundaries to help your child handle a cyberbully attack.
Try the following tips to help keep your child safe from abuse:
Discuss with your child the importance of not giving their real name, email address or mobile phone number to people outside their circle of friends and family.
Make sure they only use moderated chat rooms.
Install computer software to ensure that you only receive emails from people you have chosen and to block unwanted images such as this one recently created in Australia.
Consider which cell phone plan is the most appropriate for your child’s age, usage, and discuss the parameters with them before activating the phone.
Encourage your child to talk to you about anything that has been upsetting them.
Tell them they can show you any abusive or offensive messages they’ve received and keep a record of them.
Tell them never to respond to any abusive messages or calls – this is frequently what the abuser wants.
Report any abuse to the police, your child’s school, the internet service provider, the website manager/moderator or the mobile phone company. Use this Report Form to file a report.
As a final resort, consider changing your email address or telephone number if the abuse continues.
For additional tips on how to help your child deal with Cyberbullying please contact me at havi@health-e-connections.com
Article provided by: examiner.com
Police, deputies join to keep summer safe for youth
By Jamie Rogers
Morning News Reporter
Published: June 18, 2009
Florence police and county sheriff’s deputies have combined forces to start a special initiative, Operation Safe Summer, to keep young residents safe this season.
Florence Police Chief Anson Shells said news of the collaboration has been received well by residents so far.
“I think they were pleased,” he said. “What we are trying to do is basically double our efforts.”
And the only way that can be done is through a synergic relationship, said Florence County Sheriffs Kenney Boone.
The agencies have been fighting crime together for years, Boone said. But the two leaders made it official on Monday when they signed a special contract that will allow certain law enforcement officers to work with more than one agency for up to one year. The agreement applies to the combined drug unit, the gang task force and the community action unit.
Drug enforcement is especially important in the effort to keep children safe all year round, Shells said.
“The summer tends to bring an increase in many types of crime. Both the sheriff and I know that,” he said. “One of those is drug crimes, and with it comes a whole host of other crimes.”
Both agencies have officers who specialize in gang intelligence. These officers will continue to work together, the chief and sheriff said, and gather information on gangs, since many young people become involved in illegal activity through street gangs.
“This is something that needs to continue,” Shells said. “We both have a lot to contribute and we are going to work to reduce the limitations as far as jurisdictions.
“Bad guys don’t know about jurisdictional lines, they just care about their drug territory.”
“We’ve all got to work together,” Boone said. “We are dealing with some of the same people, so it’s only appropriate that we work together.”
Boone said the agencies will be working to promote youth camps and organizations that aid in keeping youth out of trouble.
“We both have camps,” Boone said. “They have Camp Fever and a basketball camp, we have Camp Pee Dee Pride and an explorers program.”
Neighborhood watch organizations in the city and county are extremely important and will continue cooperating with both deputies and police, Shells said.
During the school year, school resource officers with both agencies will share ideas and information relating to students, Boone said
Article Provided by: SCnow.com
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Morning News Reporter
Published: June 18, 2009
Florence police and county sheriff’s deputies have combined forces to start a special initiative, Operation Safe Summer, to keep young residents safe this season.
Florence Police Chief Anson Shells said news of the collaboration has been received well by residents so far.
“I think they were pleased,” he said. “What we are trying to do is basically double our efforts.”
And the only way that can be done is through a synergic relationship, said Florence County Sheriffs Kenney Boone.
The agencies have been fighting crime together for years, Boone said. But the two leaders made it official on Monday when they signed a special contract that will allow certain law enforcement officers to work with more than one agency for up to one year. The agreement applies to the combined drug unit, the gang task force and the community action unit.
Drug enforcement is especially important in the effort to keep children safe all year round, Shells said.
“The summer tends to bring an increase in many types of crime. Both the sheriff and I know that,” he said. “One of those is drug crimes, and with it comes a whole host of other crimes.”
Both agencies have officers who specialize in gang intelligence. These officers will continue to work together, the chief and sheriff said, and gather information on gangs, since many young people become involved in illegal activity through street gangs.
“This is something that needs to continue,” Shells said. “We both have a lot to contribute and we are going to work to reduce the limitations as far as jurisdictions.
“Bad guys don’t know about jurisdictional lines, they just care about their drug territory.”
“We’ve all got to work together,” Boone said. “We are dealing with some of the same people, so it’s only appropriate that we work together.”
Boone said the agencies will be working to promote youth camps and organizations that aid in keeping youth out of trouble.
“We both have camps,” Boone said. “They have Camp Fever and a basketball camp, we have Camp Pee Dee Pride and an explorers program.”
Neighborhood watch organizations in the city and county are extremely important and will continue cooperating with both deputies and police, Shells said.
During the school year, school resource officers with both agencies will share ideas and information relating to students, Boone said
Article Provided by: SCnow.com
America’s First FCU Helps Keep Police Safe
By Lindsey Siegriest
America’s First Federal Credit Union is helping to keep safe those who serve the community by providing bulletproof police vests to several local police departments.
America’s First has severed many of the municipalities in the Birmingham, Ala. area for years and wanted to give back to the community.
“It is great to know that there are still businesses, in our area, that recognize the critical needs of local law enforcement. America’s First has long been one of those that we can count on to provide the support we need, when we need it,” said Captain Tim Carter of the Helena Police Department.
The credit union has already donated three vests to Homewood, Pelham and Helena municipalities. They plan to issue 12 more vests during 2009.
Ballistic vests need to be replaced every five years due to law enforcement codes and normal wear and tear. In a press release, the credit union said that during this time of financial cut backs and budgeting issues they are proud of the opportunity to provide the police departments with this important and fundamental piece of equipment.
Article Information provided by: Credit Union Times
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America’s First Federal Credit Union is helping to keep safe those who serve the community by providing bulletproof police vests to several local police departments.
America’s First has severed many of the municipalities in the Birmingham, Ala. area for years and wanted to give back to the community.
“It is great to know that there are still businesses, in our area, that recognize the critical needs of local law enforcement. America’s First has long been one of those that we can count on to provide the support we need, when we need it,” said Captain Tim Carter of the Helena Police Department.
The credit union has already donated three vests to Homewood, Pelham and Helena municipalities. They plan to issue 12 more vests during 2009.
Ballistic vests need to be replaced every five years due to law enforcement codes and normal wear and tear. In a press release, the credit union said that during this time of financial cut backs and budgeting issues they are proud of the opportunity to provide the police departments with this important and fundamental piece of equipment.
Article Information provided by: Credit Union Times
