AngelinaPolkCountiesWinter2010

Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

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Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

BeSafe Child magazine

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Lufkin Independent School District

Our Mission is to facilitate optimal learning for all students and to enable them to lead fulďŹ lling and productive lives in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex society.

www.lufkinisd.org

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BeSafe Child magazine Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

Setting a Good Nutritional Example...........5 Importance of Flu Shots.............................6 Successful Rehabilitation Gives Young

Athlete the Strength to Get

Back in the Game...............................7

Helpful Toll-Free Numbers

Playing Can Help Combat Childhood

Obesity.................................................8 Kids Center DQ Free Soft Cone.........................9 Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work..................................................10

• Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400

School Bus Safety Notes..............................11 Teachers Paying For Class Supplies..........11

• Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vision & Hearing Screening 1-800-252-8023 Ext. 6687

Allowances in Today’s Economy................12

• Office of Attorney General Child Support: 1-800-252-8014

Protecting Children From Cyberbullying....................................13

• Centers for Disease Control & Protection (1-800-CDC-INFO) 1-800-232-4636

Helping Protect Your Family From Whooping Cough.............................14

Inside BeSafe Child

Smoke-less, Spit-less Tobacco: “SNUS”.......4

ON THE COVER: McKenzie Eaton is back to cheerleading after rehabilitation at the Wilson McKewen Rehabilitation Center for an injury. Celebrating her accomplishment is, from left, Andra Self - Director of Rehabilitation Services; Desiree Amodia Occupational Therapist; Kathy Beck - Physical Therapist; Kim Jones – Registrar; and Elisa Harris - Clinical Manager and Physical Therapist. Wilson McKewen is a division of Memorial Health System of East Texas in Lufkin.

• Texas Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

• Texas Youth Hotline 1-800-210-2278 • Runaway Hotline 1-800-580-4357

Preventing Child Abduction......................15 BeSafe Publications 566 C.R. 4103, Jacksonville, TX 75766 903-586-3767  1-800-233-8568 Fax 903-586-0333

www.besafechild.com email: info@besafechild.com

Publisher/Editor: Royce Ewing Graphic Design/Layout: Claudette Wooddell Office: Patricia Goar ©Copyright 2010 BeSafe Publications We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information within these pages. We cannot, however, assume any liability for any kind of its validity or completeness or for additional or changed information subsequent to the date the information contained herein was submitted for publication. BeSafe Publications welcomes your suggestions and inquiries. Articles from professionals in child safety are also encouraged. While we retain our copyright position, we do grant permission to responsible parties to duplicate our articles in the interest of child safety, health and good character.

Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

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Smoke-less, Spit-less Tobacco: “SNUS” SNUS, pronounced like “loose” is a smokeless, spit-less tobacco product wrapped inside a fleece pouch, which looks like a tiny teabag the size of a stick of gum. The pouch is placed inside the mouth, between the lips and the gums for a quick nicotine fix. This new tobacco product comes in flavors like peppermint and spearmint and is usually sold in small tins or packets.

It is sometimes sold refrigerated to “ensure freshness” of the product.

The pouches are supposed to last up to 30 minutes in which time the nicotine can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Snus is typically marketed as an “alternative” tobacco product for those who find traditional chewing tobacco repulsive, and as way to get your nicotine fix in places where cigarette smoking is banned. With many cities around the country adopting strong smoke-free ordinances, the tobacco industry has cleverly found a way to keep from losing business. It has been speculated that this product is

intended to sustain a cigarette smoking habit, while fostering a second tobacco habit simultaneously.

American SNUS is modeled after the Swedish version which has been around for centuries. The American tobacco companies started making their own version 5 years ago with American consumers in mind.

The exact amount of nicotine in American SNUS is not known because tobacco companies are not required by the FDA to disclose the information. Much like traditional chewing tobacco, SNUS can cause cancer of the mouth, tooth decay, gum disease and other oral problems.

Why should parents be alarmed about SNUS? The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids raises the concern that products like SNUS are appealing to youth. They come in a variety of sweet flavors, are packaged like gum or mints, and are very easy to conceal from adults.

The Marlboro Snus packages resemble Dentyne gum packs, and the Camel Snus tins are similar in

shape and size to a small cell phone.

When these products are placed in a pocket or backpack it is hard to tell the difference. They are also a cheaper alternative to cigarettes, and lower prices are always attractive to youth. These youth-friendly, addictive nicotine products have public health officials worried that a new generation of tobacco users is being created.

As a parent it is always important to know what products are on the shelves and who might be targeting your child as a consumer. Stay informed. Keep your kids safe.

Join The Coalition. The Coalition is made up of concerned parents and community members like yourself. Together, we can all make a difference and provide a safer environment for our children. Call (936) 634-9308 to find out more or log on to: www.angelinacoalition.org.

Tobacco Products or Candy? Who are they really marketing to…?

For the safety of our kids, educate yourself, educate others and join The Coalition.

(936) 634-9308  www.angelinacoalition.org 4

BeSafe Child magazine Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

Setting A Good Nutritional Example

W

hen it comes to feeding their children, parents certainly have the best intentions. But many have busy lifestyles that don’t always allow enough time for grocery shopping, meal planning or cooking.

Coupled with the picky eating habits that seem to be so prevalent among kids, it’s no wonder that children are usually not eating as well as they should.

Younger children often have a number of foods that they refuse to eat. Children can be particular not just about how a food tastes, but about temperature and texture, too. And trying to get kids to eat their vegetables can be a real exercise in persistence.

Most kids prefer foods that are tasty and high calorie, and these tend to be foods that are also inexpensive, widely available and often more convenient to eat.

According to Luigi Gratton, M.D., clinical physician at University of California, Los Angeles, there are some tactics that parents can take with their kids to help them to eat better.

“Setting a good example is a good first step,” says Gratton. “Parents should make every attempt to demonstrate healthy eating habits with their kids, and this includes having regular mealtimes.” He also notes that kids are more likely to eat healthy fruits and vegetables when they take part in food shopping and preparation.

Winning Strategies Children are also more inclined to eat healthy foods

when they are offered frequently and regularly. Repeated exposure to vegetables, for example, is just one way to encourage your family members to try new foods. It also helps to make foods visible and available. Try keeping a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter, or put crunchy, cut-up vegetables in the refrigerator.

Another approach for increasing intake of vegetables is by adding them to familiar foods. Cooked, pureed vegetables can be added to pasta sauce, for example, which boosts nutrition and reduces the overall calories in the dish. Cooked vegetables can also be added to soups, stews, casseroles and meat loaves-adding both nutrition and flavor.

Appropriate snacking is fine for growing kids, and well-chosen snacks can help to meet nutritional needs.

But if snacking means sugary or salty empty-calorie items, consider offering fruits, vegetables, nuts or soy nuts, yogurt or low-fat pudding instead.

Despite parents’ best efforts, children’s diets may still fall short in certain key nutrients. “A daily multiple vitamin and mineral supplement can help to round out any potential shortfalls in the diet, and can act as a safety net,” says Gratton. “Look for age-appropriate products, which target the needs for the particular age of the child.”

For more information on children’s nutrition products, visit www.Herbalife.com.

Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

BeSafe Child magazine

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Importance of Flu Shots

Source: Director of Health Services for LISD

I

nfluenza or the “flu” is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. In some people, the flu can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma and diabetes. Children and adults may develop sinus problems and ear infections.

There are common flu symptoms which are: Fever ((usually high); Headache; Tiredness (can be extreme); Cough; Sore throat; Runny or stuffy nose; Body aches; Diarrhea and Vomiting (more common among children than adults) Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the flu. Many illnesses, including the common cold can have similar symptoms.

Getting the flu shot often protects you from coming down with the flu. And while the flu shot doesn’t always provide total protection, it is worth getting.

This year’s annual flu shot will offer protection against the pandemic H1N1 (swine flu) virus. In addition to two other influenza viruses that are expected to be in circulation this fall and winter.

Influenza viruses mutates so quickly that they can render one season’s vaccine ineffective by the next season. Health officials use information gathered from around the world to determine which strains of influenza virus are most likely to be prevalent during the upcoming flu season.

Don’t get a flu shot if you are allergic to chicken eggs or have a fever on the day of or if you have ever had a bad reaction to the shot.

The flu spread from person to person by respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. People occasionally may become infected by

touching something with influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

The best protection against the flu is vaccination. The single best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a flu vaccination each year. Two kinds of flu vaccine are available in the U.S. • The “flu shot” – is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).

• The Nasal-spray flu vaccine - is approved to use in healthy people 2- 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Yearly flu vaccination should continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January and beyond.

It is definitely a great advantage to taking a preventive measure from the flu by getting a flu shot. It is a personal choice for many who are not usually sick to say I have never gotten the flu and I am fearful that if I take the flu shot I will get the flu. Others say that it actually made them feel more comfortable getting the vaccine because it will bring some protection even if the strain of flu is different than the one immunized for.

I too was not a willing participant to getting a flu shot, because I was never pronged to getting a cold or the flu. However, since H1N1, I have changed my prospective. I took both shots last year and had no side effects to either, and I will be taking it again this year. I recommend that if possible, everyone who can, do get a flu shot. Prevention is half the battle. Don’t be sorry you did not take preventive measures for you and your family.

Community Coordinator For BeSafe Publications Needed

Reach out to the community with our child safety & health magazine, and earn income too. Call Royce Ewing at 903-586-3767 or email resume to rle@besafechild.com 6

BeSafe Child magazine Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

Successful Rehabilitation Gives Young Athlete the Strength to Get Back in the Game

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hen summer started, McKenzie Eaton had improve flexibility no matter the competitive sport or big plans. She was looking forward to the activity. remainder of her softball season, competing in post “I have big plans and I can’t let an injury slow me season play-offs, and preparing for cheerleading. down. My physical therapist is helping me secure But her plans changed in the middle of an active future June during a softball game. McKenzie by guiding and was attempting to slide into second base cheering me when she sustained an immediate knee through rehabiliinjury. The field she was playing on tation. It would did not have break-away bases, so her have been tough knee suffered significant damage. After without her supvisiting an orthopedic surgeon, McKenzie port, skills and learned that her anterior cruciate ligament, knowledge,” also known as the ACL ligament, and said McKenzie. her medial meniscus were torn. With McKenzie is physician recommendations for managing just one of the her injuries, McKenzie’s parents decided thousands of that surgery followed by intense physical young athletes McKenzie Eaton works her knee range of morehabilitation was the best option for who are injured tion at Memorial’s Wilson McKewen Rehabilitheir daughter’s young knee. McKenzie each year in the tation Center in Lufkin. McKenzie is one of underwent surgery in early July.

United States. thousands of young athletes who suffer sports Following surgery McKenzie’s summer Sports injuries related injuries in the United States each year. plans changed dramatically. Her summer can have a lastnow means wearing a leg brace all the ing impact on time, using crutches for a few weeks, putting all aththe activity and health as a person moves into adultletic activities on hold, and going through therapy at hood. Currently “over use” injuries account for more Memorial Health System of East Texas’ Wilson McK- than 50% of all athletic injuries in young athletes. ewen Rehabilitation Center for the next few months.

There are many strategies that athletes, parents, comDespite her change in plans, McKenzie’s physical munities, and health care professionals can implement therapist says the young athlete has put on her game to help decrease injuries and improve the health of face and has done an excellent job facing the sumyoung adults. mer long journey to full recovery. “McKenzie comes Memorial’s Wilson McKewen Treatment Center not to each treatment with a positive, eager attitude and only offers expertise in rehabilitating sports related is ready to be challenged into moving her knee again injuries, but also injuries sustained from cheerleadand improving strength and control,” said Elisa Haring and dance. The Center, which is located across ris, Wilson McKewen Physical Therapist. “With an the street from Ralph and Kacoos Restaurant at 3010 individualized treatment plan designed specifically for South First Street in Lufkin, offers quality care, conher, McKenzie is gaining ground every week.” venient appointments, ongoing communication with Ms. Harris is just one of the Center’s four physical a patient’s physician, and individualized care. Most therapists. A physical therapy assistant also is on staff commercial insurances, Medicare and Medicaid are to help patients with their treatment plans. These proaccepted. For more information about Memorial’s fessionals are trained in the musculoskeletal system Wilson McKewen Rehabilitation Center, visit them and movement. They can help young athletes, like online at memorialhealth.org or by calling 936-634McKenzie, strengthen weaker muscle groups, retain 2266. movement patterns to avoid overuse or pain, and Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

BeSafe Child magazine

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Playing Can Help Combat Childhood Obesity

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lay is in peril. Play is quickly disappearing from our children’s lives, and it’s taking a toll on the health and happiness of our children, our families and our communities. Today, children spend less time playing outdoors than those in any other generation, spending instead an average of 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen.

Lack of play is directly linked to increased childhood obesity-one of the main issues facing the younger generation today. The White House Childhood Obesity Task Force recently issued a report with recommendations on how to “solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.” Physical activity and play were cited as key elements. Lack of play is also linked to a decrease in creativity, imagination, problem-solving skills, resiliency and an increase in classroom behavior problems.

Play Matters!

“Play is inherently active and is a long-term, preventative measure for obesity. Kids who play are less likely to develop obesity-related problems. Play is also a critical factor for improving attention, attitudes, creativity, memory and so many other vital learning skills,” said Darell Hammond, CEO and

Co-Founder of KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit leading the movement to save play. “We want to restore a culture of play so that playing and being active are a natural part of our lives.”

Saving Play!

For 15 years, KaBOOM! has led the effort to help save play by constructing innovative, kid-inspired play spaces, using a communitybuilt model that improves the wellbeing of children as well as the neighborhoods in which they live.

“Organizations such as KaBOOM! are necessary not just to the health of our children, but to the health of the entire nation,” said first lady Michelle Obama in a speech at a KaBOOM! playground build in San Francisco.

Get Your Play On!

KaBOOM! offers resources to help communities become more playful: • Support Your Local PlaygroundAt playspacefinder.kaboom.org/, neighbors can connect, share, and discuss safety issues and favorite playgrounds.

• Plan a KaBOOM! Play DayAt playday.kaboom.org, communities can organize fun field-day events that get the whole family active and having fun.

• Build/Improve a PlaygroundTo build a new playground or to give an existing playground some TLC, kaboom.org offers a free, interactive project planner that helps novices plan and execute playground builds and park improvement projects.

• Get a Ph.D. in Play-Playschool. kaboom.org offers free online training sessions with child development and play industry experts so that anyone can learn more about the importance of play.

“Without ample play we will continue to see a decrease in creativity, resiliency and imagination, as well as other vital life skills that help children learn more effectively in school and prepare them for a successful adulthood,” added Hammond.

Celebrate Play!

Kids need the same opportunities to play that we had growing up.

Take your kids to your local park or playground. Get a street blocked off for play or get everyone together to build a playground in your community. Join the movement to save play and help restore the health of our children.

For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.

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BeSafe Child Magazine

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Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work

or many busy moms and dads, parent-teacher conferences may be the only chance to meet with their children’s teachers.

“Just as parents encourage their children to prepare for a test, the same principle applies to parent-teacher conferences,” said Dennis Van Roekel, president of the 3.2 million-member National Education Association (NEA). “To maximize the benefits of parent-teacher conferences, parents need to do their homework before meeting with teacher.”

NEA offers these tips to parents: Prepare yourself by asking key questions. Write down the answers to the following: • What concerns do you have about your child’s academic progress or behavior?

• What questions do you have about the school, its curriculum, programs and procedures?

• Does your child have any health problems that might

affect his or her behavior and/or academic progress?

Prepare questions for the teacher. Don’t be afraid to engage in a frank conversation with your child’s teacher. Good questions to ask the teacher include: • How is my child doing in your class?

• Is my child working up to his or her ability? Where could my child use improvement?

• What resources are available if my child needs extra help?

• What can we do at home to support what you are doing in the classroom?

Know expectations.

Having clear guidelines of parent, teacher and student responsibilities will help set the stage for academic success. Ask which kinds of evaluation methods and tests will be used to determine your child’s aptitude and progress.

Plot a time line. Ask about important assignments and upcoming big projects. Confirm corresponding due dates so nothing takes you by surprise. Keep in touch. Exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Find out if the teacher has a classroom Web site or other means of communication to obtain important announcements, homework assignments and deadlines.

“When parents go into the meeting prepared, it can make all the difference for a winning conference between parent and teacher,” said Van Roekel.

For more information or to obtain a copy of A Parent’s Guide, NEA’s 10-part brochure series, go to www.nea.org or call (800) 7179790.

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BeSafe Child magazine Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

School Bus Safety Tips Source: The American School Bus Council

T

he next time you see a school bus, you may want to give the drivers, operators, manufacturers, administrators, legislators and everyone in the classrooms, teachers say they have spent more of school transportation industry a wave of thanks for their own money, altered their lesson plans and keeping our children safe. asked for more from parents.

Today’s school buses include warning lights, crossNinety-two percent of teachers surveyed report spend ing arms, reflective devices, rollover protection, adtheir own money for school supplies and 85 percent ditional mirrors that allow drivers to see immediately on instructional materials for their classrooms. in front of the bus, multiple emergency exits and Now, teachers, parents and pupils are getting help many other safety features to prevent accidents and from a corporate citizen. Each Walmart store and to protect children on board in case of a crash.

Sam’s Club location across the nation is eligible to To make school buses even safer, the American select one kindergarten through eighth grade school School Bus Council offers these tips for school bus to participate in the company’s Teacher Rewards riders: program.

Be alert to traffic. Check both ways for cars beFor more information about the Teacher Rewards fore stepping off the bus. program, visit www.walmartfoundation.org and www.

Make eye contact with the bus driver, and wait for nssea.org. the bus driver’s signal before crossing the street.

Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus to cross the street.

While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.

Before leaving the sidewalk, look for Kitchen and Catering the flashing red lights.

Never go under the bus to retrieve something you’ve dropped.

The American School Bus Council presents a unified voice of the school transportation industry that collectively represents more than 450,000 yellow school buses that transport 25 million children to and from school each day.

To learn more about school bus safety, visit www.napt.org.

. . . . . .

Teachers Paying For Class Supplies

Source: N & L School Supply & Equipment Association

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ublic school teachers spend about $3.5 billion of their own money on educational products a year.

• Classroom funding decreased at least in part due to the down economy.

To make up the shortfall in their

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Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

BeSafe Child magazine

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Allowances In Today’s Economy

or many families these are financially troubling times.

There may be a cut back in income, loss of job, or even a foreclosure on the home. The situation should be carefully explained to your children, assuring them that they will be taken care of and will be safe. They may not get all they want, but that you will do all you can to provide their immediate needs and to improve the family’s income.

If you are able to provide an allowance in today’s economy it is an opportune time to teach them to be responsible and spend their money wisely. Teaching children the value of a dollar is not made easier when they have an exact allowance and know what it is to cover. Teaching children the value of our work ethic is a challenge, when they are allowed to earn extra money by doing extra chores it becomes easier. The key is the “extra” bit. Children, as they get older, should be given certain chores around the house. Cleaning their room, picking up toys, taking out trash are chores that should not be rewarded with dollars.

Teaching children the value in saving a portion of their allowance or earned chore income, on the other hand, may not be easy. It is not easy for most parents, so how could it be easy to teach it? When there is something the child

wants and it could be acquired by the child saving within a few weeks becomes an opportunity to teach this lesson.

Teaching values about material things in our commercial Western world is another challenge. Actually teaching savings can help take the emphasis off the everyday instant gratification that our children can be imbedded with. If the child really wants a bike and you have decided that he must earn it, teach passing up the impulse purchases at the store by reminding him of the bike. Ask the student of yours what does he really want, the cheap toy now or saving for the purchase of the bike. If he chooses the instant gratification, remind him of that decision when he is short on cash to make the bike purchase. By not assisting him with the bike purchase and having to wait until the money is saved, he learns a lesson of what is important; the cheap toy now or a worthwhile bike later.

Good Luck! This is not an easy task for the parent or the child. We love our children and want them to be happy now. Teaching these principals, however, will give them a stronger financial basis for a secure future.

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BeSafe Child magazine Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

Protecting Children From Cyber Bullying And Other Internet Hazards Source: U.S. Department of Justice & Cyberpatrol by AOL.

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arents now have a new ally in protecting their children from cyber bullying, online predators and exposure to inappropriate online content.

According to a recent survey commissioned by the U.S. Department of Justice, cyber bullying and exposure to cyber predators are at an alltime high. More than 43 percent of teenagers report being victims of cyber bullying. In those cases, nine out of 10 victims knew the person or persons who were bullying them, and only 10 percent ever told their parents what was going on.

Fortunately, new technology can help arm parents and administrators against such threats, while helping to regulate and monitor overall Internet usage. The powerful new software can help protect children from cyber bullying, cyber predators and exposure to pornography. CyberPatrol Online Protection software allows parents to effectively monitor their child’s behavior, including online chat conversations on several social networks, such as AOL, IM, Facebook and MySpace, as well as their website history.

By activating special alerts for predators, parents are notified when “trigger words” are used in an online chat. The

new Cyber Bully Alerts function notifies parents when a potential bully might be acting. Parents are informed about what was said so they can move to address any problems before potentially more serious circumstances ensue.

Further, alerts help protect personal information from being distributed outside the home. Parents can turn on a function that will alert them when specific information is being sent online. For example, TACL A011988C if a child tries to send a stranger the family’s address, this function will immediately send an www.coolduct.com e-mail alert to the parents.

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Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

BeSafe Child magazine

13

Helping Protect Your Family From Whooping Cough

D

id you know you could be putting your child at risk for contracting a serious, potentially fatal disease?

Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease caused by bacteria, which can spread through the air when someone coughs, sneezes or even talks up close. In

adults, symptoms are usually mild and are often mistaken for the common cold or even bronchitis.

However, in infants, pertussis causes severe coughing and can be characterized by the unforgettable “whoop” sound made when a person is gasping for breath after a coughing fit.

“

the March of Dimes.

Pertussis On The Rise

Often mistaken for the common cold.

The need for more education, awareness and action is underscored by a resurgence of pertussis nationwide. The number of pertussis cases reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recent years has been dramatically higher than in the past.

This year, California has declared an epidemic of pertussis in the state and other states, such as Michigan, South Carolina and Texas, are reporting significant rises in the amount of cases reported from this year compared to last.

Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon and his wife, model Ingrid Vandebosch, are working with the March of Dimes and Sanofi Pasteur on the Sounds of Pertussis national education campaign, which raises awareness about pertussis and the importance of adult Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis) booster vaccinations.

“Even though Ingrid and I have a 3-year-old daughter, Ella, we had no idea we needed an adult pertussis booster and that, without it we were putting her at risk,” said Gordon. “With our new baby boy, we weren’t taking any chances-we got vaccinated.”

Pertussis can make it difficult to

”

eat, drink and breathe and violent coughing causes shortness of breath and may make infants turn blue. Pertussis can also lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and even death in infants. In recent years, about 92 percent of pertussis deaths have occurred in infants younger than 12 months old.

“What many people don’t know is that babies are most likely to catch the disease from a member of their own family, primarily their own parents. That’s why it is highly recommended that people around young infants get vaccinated against pertussis,” said Alan R. Fleischman, M.D., senior vice president and medical director for

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For More Information

The campaign encourages parents to get vaccinated against pertussis with the adult pertussis vaccine and to spread the word to their friends and families about pertussis prevention to help keep themselves and the babies in their lives safe from pertussis.

Caregivers can learn more about the disease, hear the sound of pertussis, and watch a video to post to your Facebook page by visiting www.SoundsofPertussis.com.

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John B. McClain, M.D.

Move Your Body & Get Out Of The Way Of Obesity And Diabetes!

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BeSafe Child magazine Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

Preventing Child Abductions A

By Lt. David Young, Lufkin Police Dept.

kidnapped child is every parent’s worst nightmare. Thankfully it’s a rare event in the United States. The purpose of this article is to discuss stranger or non-parental abductions. This article won’t address family or non-custodial parent abductions.

Though they take similar resources to investigate they are a different type of crime.

The frightening part of stranger abductions is that approximately 4 in 10 victims are killed. Another 4% are never found. A significantly high percentage of these victims are physically and/or sexually abused.

As horrifying as those numbers are, there are ways we can protect our children. The primary tool we can use for this is to talk with our children about it. Most children are taught from an early age not to talk with or take candy from strangers. While this is a good start parents should build on it as the children grow. Use the news as a good starting point. When a kidnapping occurs, have the child read the article (if age appropriate) and discuss what could have happened and how to avoid it.

Discuss the common traps predators use.

They often pretend to be hurt or have a lost pet or child they ask the potential victim to help them find. One of the most common traps used by predators is to have a leash and a photo of a dog or puppy and approach a child asking if they’ve seen the “lost” pet.

This leads to asking the child to help look for the pet. Which leads them away to a secluded location or vehicle where the abduction takes place.

There may even be uncommon traps; like using a cute little dog to get the child’s attention.

Predators may pose as authority figures such as security guards, police officers or firefighters to try and form a bond of trust

with the intended victim. Some go so far as to obtain jobs working with children to gain close access. This is often a favorite method used by sexual predators to get close to victims too.

If a child is aware of how predators work they are better able to defend against them. We should always watch young children closely while they are outside.

At some point, our older children will require some measure of independence. They should go out equipped with a family code word; a unique code word known only to the child and the parents. For instance, if I send someone to pick up my daughter, she’s been instructed and tested on asking for the code word. If the person trying to pick her up doesn’t have it she is not to go with them before getting the OK from her mother or me.

A number of organizations recommend against putting a child’s name on the back of clothing or sports jerseys. Doing so gives the child’s name to a watchful predator that may use it to make them seem more familiar to the child and create an instant rapport the predator can use to quickly get close to a potential victim.

There are several good resources out there for more information. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children has useful information on their web site at www.ncmec. org. The FBI has authority to investigate kidnappings, particularly those of children under 12 years of age. Their web site has several articles and links and can be found at www. fbi.gov.

The primary key to preventing the unthinkable is education. Talk to your child, let them know how predators work and that while rare, kidnapping does occur. A little prevention can go a long way towards safety. Find the time, talk to your child about this soon.

Angelina/Polk Counties Winter 2010

BeSafe Child magazine

15

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