FA R M L A B O R I N F O R M AT I O N B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
November 2018
FREE
Car Seat Safety
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earing a seat belt and securing children in a correctly installed safety car seat is very important to protect you, and your passengers, in case of a car accident. Injuries from a car accident are the leading cause of unintentional deaths of children in the United States of America. Most car accidents may occur within a mile from the place from where the trip starts; this is why children must always ride on a safety car seat regardless of how far is the trip. The correct installation and use of safety car seats decreases the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent among infants, 54 percent among toddlers, and 45 percent among children between four to eight years old. The State of California mandates that children under two years old should ride in a rear facing (child faces backwards when seated) safety car seat. Rear-facing safety car seats give the best support to your child’s head, neck, and spine, which lowers the risk for head and spinal cord injuries during a car accident. Statistics show that car accident injuries reduce drastically when children up to two years old ride in rear facing safety car seats. On the other hand, children older than two but under eight years old, or under four feet nine inches, must be secured in a weight and height appropriate forward facing safety car seat or a booster seat. It is important to always install children safety car seats and booster car seats in the back seat of the car.
How to Ride Safely The back seat is the best. It is the safest place to ride for all children under age 13. Not all cars allow for a car seat in every place that has a seat belt. Check your car’s owner manual to see where you can put a car seat. Be wary of toys in the car. Choose toys that are soft and will not hurt your child in a crash. Secure any loose objects in the car. Wear your seat belt. We know that when adults wear seat belts, kids wear seat belts. Be a good example and buckle up for every ride. Be sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up, too. Never leave your child alone in a car, even for a minute. If you are not confident of how to install and secure your child in a safety car seat, contact your local California Highway Patrol (CHP) area office, and ask to speak with a child passenger safety technician.
Volume 28, Number 11 To locate a CHP office near you visit the website at www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office.
When to change to the next seat.
Don’t be in a hurry! The safest car seat for children under the age of 2 is a rearfacing one. Kids grow a lot during the first two years, so you may have to move your child from a smaller rear-facingonly car seat to a bigger convertible car seat or a 3-in-1 car seat installed in the rear-facing position. Check the label. Your child will be ready for a larger, rear-facing car seat when she passes the weight or height limit on the car seat label or when her head is within one inch of the top of the car seat. Long legs? Older children with longer legs can stay in a rear-facing car seat and comfortably cross their legs. All children, even those with special healthcare needs, follow the same rules for staying safe in the car.
Ready to Face Forward.
When forward facing is safe. You are ready for a forward-facing car seat after your little passenger turns two and has outgrown the height or weight limits on the rear-facing car seat. n Ready for the next seat? Don’t be in a rush. Your child is safer in a forwardfacing car seat with a harness and top tether, so wait until your child reaches the weight or height limit of n
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the car seat before moving them into a booster seat. When you keep your child forward facing in a harness, there is more protection than using a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt or a seat belt alone. n When it is time? Once your child outgrows the harness of a forwardfacing convertible car seat, forwardfacing-only car seat, or combination car seat, it’s time to move to a booster seat. n Keep your growing passenger safe. A booster seat provides a step between a car seat with a harness and a seat belt alone. It boosts the child for a safer and more comfortable fit of the adult seat belt. n Is it time to move to a booster seat? Make sure your child meets the weight or height limits allowed in her forwardfacing car seat. The child must also be mature enough to ride without a harness. What does “mature enough” mean? He/ She needs to stay in the booster seat the entire ride with the seat belt properly fitted across the shoulder and below the hips.
Ready for the Seat Belt?
California law does not address graduation time from a five point harness to a booster seat. In the interest of safety, do not rush to move a child into a booster seat before they’re ready. Each time you advance your child to the next seat, there’s a reduction in the level of protection for your child. Keep your child in each stage for as long as possible. A child is ready for a booster seat when they have outgrown the weight or height limit of their forward-facing harnesses, which is typically between 40 and 65 pounds. Read the forward-facing car seat’s owner’s manual to determine height and
The Seat Belt Fit Test
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Check knees and feet Your child’s knees bend at the edge of the seat when her back and bottom are against the vehicle seat back. Her feet should touch the floor for comfort and stability.
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Check the lap belt The vehicle lap belt fits snugly across the hips or upper thighs.
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Check the shoulder belt The shoulder belt fits across the shoulder and chest, NOT across the face or neck
weight limits, and keep your child in a harnessed seat for as long as possible. Children at this stage are not yet ready for adult safety belts and should use beltpositioning booster seats until they are at least 4’9″ and between 8 and 12 years old. Safety belts are designed for 165-pound male adults, that is why poorly fitting adult belts can injure children. Don’t be in a hurry. Your child is safer in a booster seat until the adult seat belt fits correctly, usually between the ages of 8 and 12. Do the Seat Belt Fit Test. If your child doesn’t pass every step in the test below, keep him in a booster seat until they do. Test in all the cars your child uses. Remember, just because the seat belt fits your child in one car doesn’t mean the seat belt will fit in all cars. Do the Seat Belt Fit Test in every car before permanently moving from the booster seat to seat belt alone.
Types of Seats
Under Age 2 Car Seats Rear-Facing-Only Car Seat: People often buy this type of seat because it is portable. Most, but not all, can be used in strollers that are sold
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with the car seat or those recommended by the manufacturer. Caregivers can also purchase extra bases for the car seat so that it can be used in several cars. Convertible Car Seat: This seat is larger and stays in the car. It can be used rear facing until your child is at least 2. After that, it can change to a forward-facing seat. 3-in-1 Car Seat: This seat also stays in the car. You can use it rear facing, forward facing, and then later, as a booster seat. This type is best if your vehicle has a low seat back and no head rest. Like adults, children need support behind their heads. A high-back booster may also be good for younger children who fall asleep in the car or who like the extra comfort and a place to lean their heads. Younger Children Car Seats Forward-Facing-Only Car Seat: This type seat is used in only one direction and has a 5-point harness and top tether. Convertible Car Seat: This type of seat can be used in a rearfacing position first, and then turned to face forward when your child is big enough after age 2. If you have one of these seats, you do not need to buy a new car seat until your child is ready for a belt positioning booster seat. Combination Car Seat: This is a forward-facing seat with a 5-point harness and top tether, and can change into a booster seat when you remove the harness. 3-in-1 Car Seat: This can be used first in a rear-facing position, next in a forward-facing posiContinued on pqge 6
Healthy and Safe Holiday Travel Before You Go
Learn about health concerns at your destination. Even if you’re familiar with the place, there may be new and important health risks that could make or break your trip. n Make an appointment with your health care provider at least a month before you leave to learn about health concerns and vaccines needed at your destination. • A visit to a travel medicine provider is still valuable. • If possible, children should complete their routine childhood vaccines on the normal schedule before traveling. Coordinate with a travel medicine doctor and your child’s pediatrician as soon as possible before travel regarding any needed travel vaccines. n
Health Risks and Outbreaks n
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Zika Many popular holiday travel destinations throughout the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Africa, Pacific Islands, and Mexico still have a risk of Zika. Because Zika can cause birth defects, pregnant women should NOT travel to areas with risk of Zika. Check CDC page to find out if there is a risk of Zika at your destination and how to protect yourself and others during and after travel. Flu Some countries have reported widespread outbreaks of influenza (flu) this season. It’s not too late to get your yearly flu shot. Stay clear of people who are coughing or otherwise appear to be ill, and wash your hands often with soap and water. Measles There are outbreaks of measles in popular destinations in Europe and elsewhere. In the United States, most measles cases result from exposures during international travel. Make sure you are up to date on the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and other routine vaccines. Norovirus Cruise ship outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhea, primarily caused by norovirus, have been reported. Don’t let this virus ruin your voyage. The best way to prevent illness is frequent hand washing with soap and water.
Pack a travel health kit. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines (enough to last your whole trip, plus a little extra), sunscreen, alcoholbased hand sanitizer, first aid supplies, health insurance card, insect repellent, and condoms. n Monitor travel warnings and alerts at your destination through the US State Department website at www.state.gov • You also can enroll with the nearest US embassy or consulate through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get the latest safety updates and help in an emergency. n Prepare for the unexpected. • Leave copies of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home, in case you lose them during travel. • Find out if your health insurance covers medical care abroad—many plans don’t! Consider buying additional insurance that covers health care and emergency evacuation, especially if you will be traveling to remote areas. n
During Your Trip
Eat and drink Safely. Contaminated food or drinks can cause travelers illness. Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness, especially in children. To prevent travel related illness: • Eat only food that has been fully cooked and served hot. • Do not eat fresh vegetables or fruits unless you can peel them yourself. • Drink only bottled, sealed beverages, and avoid ice—it was likely made with tap water. n Protect yourself from extreme temperatures and sun exposure. • When traveling to hot or cold climates, take steps to prevent temperaturerelated illnesses, injuries, and death. • Wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher outdoors. Remember that sun n
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protection isn’t just for the beach— you can get a sunburn even if it’s cloudy or cold! n Prevent insect bites. Using insect repellent can protect you from serious diseases spread by mosquitoes. • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, paramenthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. • Apply sunscreen first, then repellent. Be sure to follow instructions on the label and reapply as directed. n Always wear seat belts and choose safe transportation. • Ride only in marked taxis or ride-sharing vehicles, and avoid overcrowded, overweight, or top-heavy buses or vans. • Be alert when crossing the street, especially in countries where people drive on the left. • Children should always ride in ageappropriate car seats when traveling. Parents should plan to bring car seats because they may not be available in many countries.
After You Return
If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. Some travelrelated illnesses may not cause symptoms until after you get home. • Tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. This information will help your doctor consider infections that are rare or not typically seen in the United States. n If you are pregnant and have traveled to an area with Zika risk, talk to your doctor or nurse about your recent travel, even if you don’t have symptoms. Your doctor or nurse will decide if and when to test you for Zika. For more information on your trip please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov or the U.S. State Department Website at www.state.gov. n
Lead Poisoning Awareness
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ead poisoning is a preventable disease. It causes behavioral and learning disorders in children. Low to moderate levels of lead exposure have been associated with hypertension, decreased kidney and brain function as well as reproductive problems in adults. However, recognition of lead poisoning is difficult to diagnose due to vague symptoms, and medical treatment often comes after irreversible health damage is done.
Migrant populations may face occupational and cultural practices that increase their risk of lead poisoning, including among others: popular homemade health remedies, food preparation, and work related family relocations leading to substandard housing and work environments. Lead is a mineral that can seriously poison people of any age, because it is still widely used for pesticides, car batteries, pigments, ammunition, cable sheathing, weights for lifting, weight belts for diving, lead crystal glass, radiation protection, in some solders, and industrially used to store corrosive liquids. It may be present in cheap brightly colored decorative items, plastic and glass products, and cosmetics. Lead could also be present in old constructions and family heirlooms passed down generations, such as, old furniture, jewelry, pottery, and old toys. To prevent getting lead poisoning, people of all ages must avoid biting or putting anything that may contain lead in their mouth and do not use any items suspected to contain or be contaminated with lead to: cook, clean, decorate, serve or ingest food. Children are especially vulnerable; their developing nervous systems are particularly sensitive to the poisoning effects of lead. Even children who appear healthy may have high levels of lead in their bod-
ies. Lead exposure can harm young children and babies even before they are born, so preventing lead exposure in pregnant women is also important. Early identification and treatment of lead poisoning reduces the risk of serious health issues. Here are two steps to help prevent poisoning from lead:
Step 1: Recognize Symptoms
Resources for Clinicians PESTICIDES: National Pesticide Information Center, call (800) 858-7378. Provides science-based pesticides information and lists of state and regional poison control centers. LEAD: National Lead Information Clearinghouse, call (800) 424-LEAD or visit EPA’s lead website, www.epa.gov/lead
imported ceramic plates or cups? n Is there lead contained in your water or soil?
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At Work
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Inattentive, hyperactive and irritable. Problems with learning and reading, delayed growth, hearing loss and headaches (greater lead levels). n Difficulty concentrating, brain damage and nervous system disorders (at high levels).
Step 2: Ask Questions
Lead screening questions assist in identifying sources of lead not only for children with elevated blood lead, but also children who may be at continued risk of getting lead poisoning in the future due to living conditions. Some helpful screening questions are: n Do you live in housing recently renovated or repaired? n Do you live in housing built before 1978, which may increase the risk of lead poisoning? n Is there chipping, peeling paint or paint in poor conditions where you live? n Do you use any home remedies or
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When you handle pesticides or work in areas where pesticides have been applied, wash your hands with soap and water every time you take a break. (Water for hand washing should be available in the field. Water should be clean, not irrigation water.) n Leave the area where pesticides are located and wash your hands and face before eating, drinking, chewing gum, smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products, using the toilet or putting on makeup. n Tobacco products and food absorb pesticides, so don’t carry them with you while you work. Leave them someplace where pesticides won’t get on them. n Always keep your work clothes separate from your family’s clothes. At home, be sure to keep your contaminated work clothes out of reach of children and pets. Wash work
clothes in a separate load in the washer. If possible, hang your work clothes out to dry. Try not to use a clothes dryer because pesticides may contaminate the clothes dryer over a period of time. n After washing work clothes, it is a good idea to clean the machine by running the washer at least one complete cycle without clothing but with detergent and hot water before washing other clothes. n Never use an empty pesticide container for another purpose. Although the container may appear clean, there may be residues of the pesticide in the seams or container materials. n Do not enter agricultural fields during entry prohibition periods related to the application of pesticides. Your employer is responsible for informing you of these entry prohibitions. n
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At Home
Always store pesticides and other household chemicals, including chlorine bleach, out of children’s reach—preferably in a locked cabinet. n Always read directions carefully, or have them read to you, because pesticide products, household cleaning products and pet products can be dangerous or harmful if too much is used and ineffective if too much or too little is used. Be sure to read and follow the n
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Radio Bilingüe Wednesday December 26 10 am and 4 pm
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directions on the label. Before applying pesticides or other household chemicals, remove children and their toys, as well as pets, from the area. Keep children and pets away until the pesticide has dried or as long as recommended on the label. If your use of a pesticide or other household chemical is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the container and remove it from children’s reach. Always use household products in child-resistant packaging. Never transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate with food or drink (like soda bottles), and never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them. Don’t use unlabeled materials. When applying insect repellents to children, only use repellents formulated for use on children. Read all directions first; do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin; do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands or directly on the face; and use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing, but do not use under clothing. Bathe children after repellents are used or before bedtime. Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often, and regularly wet-clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces to reduce potential exposure to lead dust. Get your child tested for lead if you suspect he or she has been exposed to lead in either your home or neighborhood. Inquire about lead hazards. When buying or renting a home or apartment built before 1978, the seller or landlord is now required to disclose known lead hazards.
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Most well or city water does not naturally contain lead. But water may pick up lead from plumbing that is made with lead. To reduce the risk of exposure to lead in water, use only cold water for drinking, cooking and making baby formula. Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours. n Look for signs of peeling or deteriorating paint on window sills, doors or walls. If you suspect that lead-based paint has been used in your home, or if you plan to remodel or renovate, get your home tested. Do not attempt to remove lead paint yourself. Call (800) 424-LEAD for guidelines. n
Sources: www.migrantclinician.org/files/resourcebox/Pesticides_ and_Lead.pdf www.migrantclinician.org/issues/occupational-health/ lead.html
A NOTE REGARDING THE FEDERAL LEAD DISCLOSURE RULE
If they reside in the same housing for at least 100 days, migrant farm workers and their families may be covered by a federal law referred to as the Lead Disclosure Rule. This law requires that renters be informed in writing of everything the landlord may know about the presence of lead- based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the housing. Also, the landlord must provide a specified, written warning statement about the potential health effects for children exposed to lead-based paint hazards and a specific informational pamphlet titled, Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home (available in English and Spanish). If you would like more information about this requirement or believe it may have been violated, please contact EPA at (312) 8867061 or (312) 886-6003.
Car Seats
EDDResources Resources EDD
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tion and finally as a booster seat. Carefully read the labels if you decide to use a combination seat or a 3-in-1 car seat. The labels will tell you when to remove the harness and switch to a booster seat. Big Kids Seats Backless booster: This type may be more convenient if you carpool or travel. They are typically less expensive. However, the vehicle must have a seat back high enough to provide support behind your child’s head. What’s high enough? Your child’s ears should be below the top of the vehicle seat or headrest. Sources: www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/programs/ child-saf ety-seats \
Voice of the Fields
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Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract
You may apply for these jobs by phone or in person at your nearest Employment Development Department (EDD) field office Job Number
Job Title
Crop/ Livestock
Pay Rate
Start Date
End Date
Positions
County
America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC)
16218771
Farmworker Laborer
Lettuce, Celery, Broccoli, Cauliflower
$13.18/hr.
11/5/18
4/6/19
610
Imperial County, CA; Yuma County, AZ
El Centro AJCC 760-339-2722
16325956
Farmworker Laborer
Vineyard
$13.18/hr.
01/14/19
11/13/19
335
Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma
Santa Maria AJCC 805-614-1550
16234753
Farmworker Laborer
Broccoli
$13.18/hr.
11/5/18
3/23/19
170
Riverside
Blythe AJCC 760-640-3144
16191724
Farmworker Laborer
Citrus
$13.18/hr.
10/24/18
05/26/19
123
Tulare, Kern, Fresno, Madera
Delano AJCC 661-721-5800
Various
Beekeepers
Bees
$13.18/hr.
Continuous Continuous
Various
California and Western States
Call your local AJCC or dial 1-916-654-7799 to find your nearest office
Various
Herders
Sheep
$1866.88/ monthly
Continuous Continuous
Various
California and Western States
Call your local AJCC or dial 1-916-654-7799 to find your nearest office
The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.
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