April 2006 Newsletter
opening the door to danger?
The doorbell rings, and there is a man standing there with a package, or flowers, or paperwork for you to sign. How do you know if their intentions are good?
You don't! You always need to trust your instincts and know when to open the door, and when not to.
Consider the following:
- Are you expecting this person/service?
- Is this person wearing a uniform, do they have ID?
- Are there forms to sign?
- Did they arrive in a company vehicle?
- Could the package be left on the porch instead of opening the door?
It is not rude to talk through a locked screen, or through a window. The majority of deliveries and service calls are made during normal business hours. Communicate with your family, and know if they are expecting a package, or a home service of any kind.
What to do if you suspect the person has other intentions:
- Do not open the door for any reason, especially if they are demanding that you open it. They may be the nicest person in the world, then again, they may not. You just don't know.
- Try to remember as many details about the person, vehicle, time, and situation.
- Call the non-emergency sheriffs line for your county (even if it's only a suspicion).
- Inform the HOA President, neighborhood committee, or apartment manager of a suspicious person in the neighborhood.
Reviewing these simple steps could save your life, protect your home & your family.
Testimonial of the Month:
I can't thank you enough for coming and presenting your program. I can't tell you how much great feedback I have received! You have fantastic skills and a great way of working with people. As our program continues to grow, I would love to bring you back. Thanks again!
Senior Services Manager & Class Participant
Schedule Seminars that Reinforce National Observances:
Sexual Assault Awareness Month: April 2006
National Child Abuse Prevention Month: April 2006
National Youth Violence Prevention Week: April 3-7th 2006
A Day to End Sexual Violence: April 6th 2006
April is going to be an exciting month. As some of you know , we have started talking about John Hall's proven safety programs and his award-winning Kid Escape! DVD in our safety seminars. Discover how three skills quickly learned can stop abductors & sex offenders before they move your children to second, deserted locations where they will hurt your kids. Also, discover how we have used these simple skills to educate and protect adults as well.
One of the most important things you can do to protect your children is to talk to them about potentially dangerous situations. The Safe Side makes that easy. This laugh-out-loud video is designed for elementary-school-aged children. It keeps kids engaged while teaching them seven ‘Hot Tips’ for personal safety around people they don’t know, and those they ‘kinda know’. Hosted by “Safe Side Superchick”, the information is understandable and never scary.
For more information on scheduling a Public Awareness Campaign:
Contact Five Star Seminars at scheduler@fivestarseminars.com
Spring Cleaning Safety Tips: from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Around the House
- Choose nontoxic products for your spring cleaning. For example, vinegar and water is an inexpensive and effective window cleaning solution.
- Time to move the furniture? Place cribs, playpens and other furniture away from the window and accessible drapery cords. Children can climb up on furniture and fall out of the window or get strangled in the cords.
- Make sure window guards/bars are secure, and know how to open the window in case of fire. Screens do no prevent window falls.
- Test all your smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Change the batteries at least once every year. Most smoke alarms also need "spring cleaning" maintenance - check your manual.
- Develop and practice a family fire escape plan in case of emergency.
- Consider installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
- Make sure small parts, plastic bags, small toys, balloons or any other choking hazards are out of reach of young children, particularly those less than 36 months of age.
- Check your home for recalled and banned children's products. To find out about recalled products, go to http://www.recalls.gov
- Keep traffic areas free of clutter, toys and rugs in order to avoid tripping with your child in your arms.
- Doors that lead to the basement should have a self-latching lock to prevent children from falling down the stairs.
- Post the Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) and your pediatrician's number on all phones.
Garage
- Discard toxic and flammable materials you no longer need. Place remaining materials high and out of reach. Keep toxic products in their original containers.
- Check the garage for flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint thinner, paint and cleaners. Make sure safety caps are in place and they are not near any heat sources. Keep only the amount you need to use - don't stock up on extra cans.
- Tidy loose papers, old rags, and debris in the garage that could contribute to a fire.
- When washing the car, clean the car safety seat as well - sticky snacks, crumbs, and drinks can interfere with the crotch buckle and chest clip. Use the instructions to find out how to remove the cover and clean these parts. Take the time to weigh and measure your children to make sure they still fit in the seat. Check that the shoulder straps are the right height. Be sure the seat is installed securely.
- Choose nontoxic fertilizers, insecticides and gardening supplies.
- Eliminate any standing water to prevent drowning (buckets, drums, baby pools). Remember that a young child can drown in only a few of inches of water.
- Check the play area for sharp objects, poisonous plants, and tripping hazards.
- Install surfacing under playground equipment. Check play equipment for loose or exposed hardware, broken parts, and stability. Go to http://www.cpsc.gov/ for more info.
- If you have a pool or spa, it should be enclosed by a four-sided fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Learn CPR and have a phone and emergency equipment poolside.
- Children must not be allowed to ride as passengers on lawn mowers or to be towed behind mowers in carts or trailers. They should not be permitted to play on or around the mower when it is in use or in storage.
- Most yard cleanup tools (ladders, weed-eaters, pruning shears) are not safe for children. If your child wants to help in the yard, he or she should use tools designed for children, such as a small plastic rake, child's shovel, or broom.
Upcoming Classes:
Behavioral Safety & Personal Security
Children's Safety
Date Rape & Date Rape Drugs
Identity Theft Prevention
Safety for Travelers
Wheelchair Self-Defense & Techniques
Safety Tip of the Month:
Last year, cell users were urged to put the acronym ICE "in case of emergency" before the names of the people they want to designate as next of kin in their cell address book.Other emergency contact programs charge as much as $200 a year to register, but the ICE initiative is available free to over 192 million cell users in the United States.
This ICE number should be listed in your cell phone address book should contain the phone number of a next of kin or other person that you would like to have contacted in the event of an emergency.
This entry could be made even more specific and equally helpful by denoting the ICE entry as: ICE MOM, ICE DAD etc. for quicker reference. Make more than one ICE entry in your address book in the event that one or more entries cannot be reached.
For more information on scheduling a Public Awareness Campaign:
Contact Five Star Seminars at scheduler@fivestarseminars.com
Barbara Scott
Founder of Colorado Safety Educators
