Volume 24 Issue 47                                                                                  Fall   2022

Thank you for being part of the Safety Source family!

Labor Day Safety Edition

Our September monthly newsletter highlights Child Passenger Week, Tips for Carpooling and Child Safety Seats, Grilling Safety, Railroad Safety, Farm Safety, and Suicide Prevention. There are interactive tools for your children such as a coloring page and video!

 There is also a fall scarecrow craft! Let us know if we can be a resource to you in any way!

National Farm Safety Week is recognized this year during September 18th-24th. September coincides with fall harvest, one of the busiest and most dangerous times of year for farmers. However, farming hazards are present year-round, so it’s important to know how to prevent them. Follow these tips from the National FFA Organization to stay safe, no matter what your task.

1. Educate yourself. Before you begin, learn all about the mechanics and risks of your specific project. Start with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), which hosts National Farm Safety and Health Week and has an extensive list of resources on its website. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also has resources dedicated to agricultural operations.
2. Wear protective equipment. Farmers are at high risk of developing respiratory problems due to the amount of dust and chemicals they breathe in on a daily basis. Protective equipment such as mechanical filters and chemical cartridge masks help protect the lungs from harmful gases and dusts.
3. Read markings on every vehicle you’ll be in or near. While tractor rollovers are decreasing, ATV/UTV rollovers are increasing. Don’t exceed the weight limits, as that can impact steering and braking, and avoid roadways because the tires are created for off-road driving. Be sure to always wear your helmet and seat belt, if there is one.
4. Avoid wearing loose clothing and jewelry. They can get in the way of your job and are at risk of getting caught on objects and injuring you.

Be sure to keep these tips in mind and use this week as an opportunity to reflect on your current farming safety practices and incorporate new ones!

Are you celebrating this Labor Day with a backyard BBQ? Grilling is one of the most popular ways to cook but a growing awareness is needed for grilling related injuries. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) data shows that U.S. fire departments responded to an annual average of 10,600 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues. On average, 19,700 patients went to emergency rooms each year because of injuries involving grills (1).

Before you fire up the grill, be sure to check out these grilling safety tips provided by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association).

1. Use only natural gas, charcoal briquette, or propane.

2. For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks before use in the months ahead.

3. Keep your grill clean. Remove grease buildup from both the grill and the tray.

4. Keep the grill at least 15 feet from buildings. Do not use grills in garages or on apartment balconies.

5. Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

6. Stay attentive. Never leave the grill unattended and keep children and pets away at all times.

7. Be ready to put out a fire. Keep a fire extinguisher near the grill. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, keep a bucket of sand nearby. Never use water to put out a grease fire.

8. Clothing can easily catch fire, so be sure your sleeves or apron strings are not dangling over the grill.

Hosting cookouts and grilling with families can be an exciting time. Keep these tips in mind and enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

• https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/Safety-Source/Blog-Posts/2022/05/13/Use-our-grilling-safety-tips-to-stay-fire-safe-this-Memorial-Day-weekend-and-beyond

Every September there is a week dedicated to Child Passenger Safety education and information. This year Child Passenger Safety Week is September 18^th-September 24^th. Although this is not the only time to review and refresh your child safety seat knowledge it is a good reminder to do so. There may also be car seat check events being held in your community during this week. At these events certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians can help you properly install your child safety seat and help answer your questions. Check out events in your area by visiting here.

Safe Kids Worldwide provides some other great tips for how to celebrate during Child Passenger Safety Week. Besides visiting a car seat fitting station or event, consider reading through their Ultimate Safety Guide. You may also consider watching expert videos for each car seat position: rear-facing car seats, forward-facing car seats, and booster seats. Lastly, think about attending an online Child Passenger Safety course. Join us on September 21^st for a virtual Child Passenger Safety class provided by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Injury Prevention team. Sign up here.

Child safety seats when used properly can reduce the risk of injury by up to 71%. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) there were 614 children 12 and younger killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. Always buckle up your children every ride. If you are unsure if your child is in the right car seat for their age, height, or weight, the NHTSA website is a great resource for comparing child safety seats to find the right fit for your child. When you find that right fit and purchase your seat, be sure to register it by either using the card that came with the seat or registering it on the manufacturer’s website. This will give you any information if there were ever to be a recall on your child safety seat.

Drivers may sense frustration when they are required to stop at a railroad crossing. However, as a teen driver it is important to understand all the dangers that are associated with driving including rail safety. Roadway-rail crossing fatalities involving motor vehicles totaled 149 in 2021, an increase of 35% over 2020 (1)

Safe Kids recommends that if the lights are flashing or the gate is down at a railroad crossing wait for the train to pass completely, the gates to lift, and the lights to stop flashing before crossing. It is never okay to rush across and try to beat the train (2).

Here are a few other important safety rail tips to know:

• Trains are typically closer and faster than you think.

• Once a train starts to brake, it can take a mile for the train to stop. So, when you see a train, it is already too late.

• If your car ever stalls on the tracks, immediately get out and away from both the vehicle and the tracks. Once you are safely away from the vehicle and the tracks, locate the Emergency Notification System sign and call the number to inform them about your vehicle.

• The Emergency Notification system sign is typically near the train tracks, that provides an emergency number and the rail crossing number which correlates to your exact location.

• Look for a second train! It is important to know that a train could be passing through the opposite direction that you may not be able to see right away.

• Be aware of school buses and trucks that are required to come to a complete stop before traveling over the train tracks.

National Rail Safety Week is September 19^th- 25^th. Remember to keep these tips in mind while traveling on the road. It can save your life.

1. https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/every-four-hours-someone-is-hit-by-a-train?#:~:text=For%20the%20sixth%20annual%20Rail,rails%20and%20the%20roadway%20meet
2. https://www.safekids.org/blog/safety-information-railroad-safety-week

There are many reasons why carpooling can become part of one’s daily schedule. When deciding on carpooling options, it is important to always know who may be transporting a child and that they will follow all child passenger safety guidelines. Just as importantly, a child should never be forced to ride with someone that makes them uncomfortable. Safe Kids Worldwide has provided some additional guidelines for carpooling caregivers:

Before the Ride:

Be sure drivers have a valid Driver’s License, a good driving record, auto insurance and require seatbelt and child safety seat use at all times. They should also not have been convicted of a crime against a child. Keep informed of pick up and drop off arrangements for each child and be prepared with their individual child safety seat.

During the Ride:

Children should be required by the driver to practice safe riding in the vehicle. They should be buckled and safely secured during the entire ride. Each child should also have their own seating position and the driver needs to know how to use each child safety seat. Every child under 13 should be riding in the back seat.

After the Ride:

It is safest for children to exit the vehicle curbside. Once a child is dropped off, drivers should be aware to wait until children are safely supervised before driving away. Remind the driver that a child should never be left alone in the vehicle for any reason.

In addition to the above tips, teach children to never play in or around vehicles and be sure to lock your vehicle in order to prevent children access while unsupervised. Visit here for a full checklist provided by Safe Kids Worldwide.

Suicide is a growing public health concern. It is the second leading cause of death for people 10-14 and 25-34 years of age. Nearly 46,000 people died by suicide in 2020, that is 1 death every 11 minutes (5) The number is even higher for those who think about suicide or attempt it. It is important to be aware of the risks factors that can increase the risk of suicide or protect against it.

Parents, trust your instincts. If you believe that your child or a loved one could be struggling with mental health issues or suicide ideation, act on that. It would be better to offer help than to ignore your instincts. You should never ignore threats or statements given by your children as dramatic or a phase. Many times, these statements can be a cry for help and should be taken seriously.

Studies have shown that children who are experiencing three or more of the following risk factors are at a higher risk for considering suicide (2).

• Major loss (i.e., break up or death)

• Substance use

• Peer or social pressure

• Access to weapons

• Public humiliation

• Severe chronic pain

• Chronic medical condition

• Impulsiveness/aggressiveness

• Family history of suicide

It is important to know about the factors that may trigger or add additional stress to your child. Here are a few more tips to help support your children during a difficult time:

• Talk with your child about your own feelings. Explaining to your child that he or she is not alone and that everyone experiences struggle at some point in their life, can really make a big difference.

• Seek professional help right away. Reach out to a mental health provider in your area.

• Model healthy habits by taking care of your own mental health and showing your child various ways to approaching life’s problems.

• Routinely hosting family check-ins could help with building communication. This includes letting them know that you will always be there for them even if they do not feel like talking at that moment.

• Remember to keep all guns at home stored safely and secure away from your children.

Supporting loved ones with who may be experiencing mental health issues can be tough. Remember to seek out professional help for additional resources and support. Please visit the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network here for more information. Call the statewide crisis line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at 1-855-CRISIS-1 (1-855-274-7471) if you think your child is experiencing a mental health crisis.

1. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/fastfact.html
2. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Ten-Things-Parents-Can-Do-to-Prevent-Suicide.aspx
3. https://afsp.org/teens-and-suicide-what-parents-should-know
4. https://www.tspn.org/
5. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html