February is Risk Awareness Month. Below are some resources to help reduce risk in all aspects of our daily lives.

• Safe Kidz Worldwide – menu to the left lists pages of risks and corresponding safety tips and resources:
  https://www.safekids.org/safetytips
• Cyber Security Awareness for Kids: https://securingthehuman.sans.org/resources/kids

Burn Awareness Week February 4 – 10, 2018

• Teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults only. Older children may only use them (after obtaining permission) in a safe manner and while under proper adult supervision. For more information about youth fire misuse prevention, visit http://ameriburn.org/prevention/burn-awareness-week/ #NBAW2018
• Keep matches and lighters high out of the reach and sight of children, in a locked cabinet. For information about youth fire misuse prevention, visit http://ameriburn.org/prevention/burn-awareness-week/ #NBAW2018
• Each year, children “playing” with fire causes an average of 56,300 fires, 110 deaths and 880 civilian injuries. For information on preventing youth fire misuse, visit  http://ameriburn.org/prevention/burn-awareness-week/  #NBAW2018
• About 40% of the fires that kill young children less than 5 years old are started by kids “playing” with fire. For information on preventing youth fire misuse, visit  http://ameriburn.org/prevention/burn-awareness-week/
  #NBAW2018

TV and Furniture Tip Overs

• • Safe Kids Worldwide – Everything you need to know about Tip Overs https://goo.gl/GVpW54
  • Consumer Product Safety Center – Tip Over Information Center https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Tipover-Information-Cen

March is Poison Prevention Month. View the resources below to learn how you can safeguard yourself and others against poisonous substances.

• Health Resources & Services Administration – poison prevention tips and helpline:
  https://www.poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/what-can-you-do/prevention-tips/
• Safe Kidz Worldwide – poison prevention tips: https://www.safekids.org/tip/poison-prevention-tips
• National Capital Poison Center – Poison Prevention Info by Age: http://www.poison.org/poison-prevention-tips-by-age
• Poison Prevention Awareness Week- March 18th – 24th : “Children Act Fast…So Do Poisons!” https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/containers-and-packaging/national-poison-prevention-week-fact-sheet

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

• Brain Injury Association of America: https://www.biausa.org/
• Brain Injury Guide and Resources: http://braininjuryeducation.org/
• Safe Kids Worldwide: Traumatic Brain Injury https://www.safekids.org/blog-free-tags/traumatic-brain-injury
• Medscape-Traumatic Brain Injury in Children: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/909105-overview
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention-Traumatic Brain Injury: Get the Facts: https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html

Unintentional Strangulation of Children

• The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention – Suffocation, Choking and Strangulation: https://www.ncfrp.org/reporting/suffocation-choking-and-strangulation/ 
  • Easy access by infants and toddlers to small objects, balloons, plastic bags, and toys with small parts.
  • Food not properly cut into safely small pieces
  • Toy chests without safety latches
  • Family’s ability to provide safe sleep or play environment for child
  • Presence of unsafe window cords
  • Access by child to empty appliances
  • Teens endangering themselves by playing “choking game”

Eye Safety

• Women and Children’s Health Network – Kids Health – Eye Health http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=1737
• Eye Care Professionals: https://www.eyecaredoctors.com/2016/08/30/10-tips-to-teach-children-about-eye-safety-2016/
• American Academy of Ophthalmology – Children’s Eye Injuries: Prevention and Care: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries-children

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Visit the links below to learn how to avoid distractions and stay safe on the road.

• National Safety Council:  Distracted Awareness Month: http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/distracted-driving-awareness-month.aspx?utm_medium=(none)&utm_source=(direct)&utm_campaign=ddmonth
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – U Drive. U Text. U Pay.:https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving#view-campaign
• AAA – Mental Distractions Behind the Wheel: http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/distracted-driving/#.Wa6qe7J96po

Window Safety Week, April 1st – 7th

• National Safety Council: Windows are Vital to Survival, but Keep Safety in Mind: http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/about-national-window-safety-week.aspx
• Anderson: Look Out for Kids https://www.andersenwindows.com/support/window-and-door-safety/
  • Anderson Look Out for Kids Activity Booklet: https://awwebcdnprdcd.azureedge.net/-/media/andersenwindows/files/look-out-for-kids/aw_lookoutbook.pdf?modified=20170512153306
• National Window Safety Week: http://www.atrium.com/childsafety/national-window-safety-week.php
• National Association for Child Window Safety: \http://www.childwindowsafety.org/

April 29th is National Safe Kids Day

• Safe Kids:  https://www.safekids.org/

May is Youth Traffic Safety Month. Below are some resources to promote awareness of traffic-related hazards for youths.

• National Organizations for Youth Safety – social media toolkit, teen action guides and infographic: https://noys.org/about-us/our-programs/gytsm/
• Enters for Disease Control and Prevention – Parents are the Key to Safety Teen Drivers – Resources and Information for Parents:  https://www.cdc.gov/parentsarethekey/
• National Safety Council – DriveitHOME Program –  Helping you keep your teen driver safe: http://driveithome.org/

National Bike Month 

• The League of American Bicyclists – May is Bike Month Activities http://www.bikeleague.org/content/promotional-materials-0
• Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Know the Rules of the Road http://www.siouxfalls.org/parks/bike/bike-safety

May is National Electricity Safety Month

• Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) – 2018 National Electricity Safety Month Guide https://www.esfi.org/resource/2018-national-electrical-safety-month-safety-advocate-guide-546
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Home Electricity Safety Checklist https://www.esfi.org/resource/2018-national-electrical-safety-month-safety-advocate-guide-546
• Energy Safe Kids – O
• n-line Games,  Activities and Information for Kids – http://energysafekids.org/electric-safety/

June is Overall Safety Month. View the useful resources below to help prevent injuries at home, on the road and within your community.

• National Safety Council – Keep Each Other Safe: http://www.nsc.org/act/events/Pages/national-safety-month.aspx
• Safe Kids Worldwide – Home Risk Areas and information to keep children safe: https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_venues/home
• American Academy of Pediatrics – Healthy Children – At Home:  https://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/at-home/pages/default.aspx  
• World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF  have developed a report that is a plea to keep kids safe by promoting evidence-based injury prevention interventions and sustained investment by all sectors. The report presents the current knowledge about the five most important causes of unintentional injury – road traffic injuries, drowning, burns, falls and poisoning – and makes seven recommendations for action.http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/child/en/

July is National Fireworks Safety Month. Below are some useful resources to keep you safe during this month’s celebrations.

• National Council on Fireworks Safety: http://www.fireworkssafety.org/safety-tips/
• National Fire Protection Association:
  • Fireworks info:
    http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/wildfire-and-seasonal-fires/fireworks
  • Safety Tips: http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/wildfire-and-seasonal-fires/fireworks/fireworks-safety-tips
• Safe Kidz Worldwide: https://www.safekids.org/tip/fireworks-safety-tips
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission –  Fireworks Injuries infographic (I love this – would be nice to do something like this with our branding attached): https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Fireworks-Infographic-2015-web.pdf
• American Pyrotechnics Association: State fireworks laws
  http://www.americanpyro.com/assets/docs/State_Laws/sd13.pdf
• Parenting.com – 10 Fun Alternatives to Fireworks
  http://www.parenting.com/family-time/holidays/10-fun-alternatives-to-fireworks
• Consumer Fireworks Safety – public service announcement video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcFuIEwbITA

August is Back to School Safety Month.

• National Safety Council – Back to School Safety Checklist:  http://www.nsc.org/learn/Pages/keep-children-safe-at-school.aspx
• American Red Cross – How to Keep Kids Safe as They Head Back to School: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Keep-it-Safe-When-You-Head-Back-to-School
• State Farm – Back to School Travel Safety: https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/safety/back-to-school-travel-safety

September is Farm Safety Month. View information and useful resources to keep you safe on the farm below.

Agriculture is one of the most dangerous environments to work or be around. Dangers include but are not limited to tractors,machinery, animals and chemicals. According to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety 2017 Fact Sheet every three days, a child dies in an agriculture-related incident and every day, about 33 children are injured in agriculture-related incidents.

Children lack the cognitive development and judgement needed to be unsupervised in and around a farm or agricultural environment. As adults, it is our responsibility to make their environment a safe place to explore and learn. Children are curious and are totally unaware of the dangers around them.

• Children should never be allowed to play in or around tractors or equipment.
• Children should not be in and around livestock.
• A safe, fenced in play area should be created away from traffic and farm equipment.
• Chemicals should be a locked cabinet or building.
• Do not assign or expect children to complete chores or tasks that are not age appropriate for them.

Resources:

• Penn State Extension – Children and Safety on the Farm:
  http://extension.psu.edu/business/ag-safety/youth-safety/children-and-safety-on-the-farm
• US Department of Labor – multiple resources for youth in agriculture safety:
  https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/youth/agriculture/
• American Family Insurance – Farm Safety for Kids:
  https://www.amfam.com/resources/articles/on-the-farm/farm-safety-for-kids
• Kidshealth.org – All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety:
  http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/atv-safety.html
• Hobby Farms – 20 Tips for Safer Farming
  http://www.hobbyfarms.com/20-tips-for-safer-farming-6/
• CultivateSafety.org – https://cultivatesafety.org/work/
• The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety http://www.necasag.org/aboutnecas/resources/
• National Farmers Union – Behavioral Hazards and Child Safety https://youtu.be/rlLhnPcf1EA

Concussion Awareness:

• Safe Kids World – Concussion Guide for Parents: https://www.safekids.org/guide/concussion-guide-parents 
• CDC – Centers for Disease Control – HEADS UP to Youth Sports: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html

October is Fire Prevention Month.

There are some causes of home fires that can be prevented.  Being aware of those causes and doing something about them may save those you love.  Here are some items that may contribute to the cause of a fire and suggestions on how to prevent a fire from starting.

Smoke Alarms – Smoke alarms need to be on every level.  If you are not able to afford smoke alarms, contact your local fire department.  Smoke alarms run on batteries that need to be changed at least on an annual basis. Even smoke alarms that are wired into a home’s electricity need to have the batteries replaced.

Electricity – Prevent overloading outlets with extension cords or power strips.  Make sure all power cords are in good condition without exposed wires.  Extension cords should not run under rugs or be exposed to crawling infants.

Cooking – 2 of every 5 home fires start in the kitchen.  Keep stove clear of items that can easily catch on fire.  These may include paper towels, pot holders, clothing or towels.  Stoves should not be used as a heating source in the home.  Be aware of cooking temperatures when using oil and have materials on hand to extinguish grease or oil fires.

Dryers – Inspect and clean dryer vents and lint traps frequently.

Heaters / Furnaces – Areas around heaters and furnaces should be free of clutter.  Don’t store anything around a furnace and keep heaters away from curtains, blankets, furniture or bedding.   Homes with chimney’s need to be inspected and cleaned at lease on an annual basis.  Build up within the chimney can cause a fire.

Candles, Lighters and Matches – Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.  Educate children on the dangers of these items and have them tell an adult when they see such items.  Lit candles should be placed in an area in view of adults, out of the reach of curious children and other flammable items.

Grills and Cookers – Grills and large oil cookers need to be placed at least ten feet away from decks and homes.  Heat and spattered oil can catch these items on fire.

• National Fire Protection Association – Fire Prevention Materials:  http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/campaigns/fire-prevention-week-2
• American Red Cross – Home Fire Checklists and Fact Sheets: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire
• City of Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Department – Home Safety:  http://www.siouxfalls.org/homesafety
• U.S. Fire Administration – Fire is Everyone’s Fight Outreach Materials: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/children.html

Halloween Safety

• Safe Kids Worldwide – Halloween Safety Tips: https://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips
• National Safety Council – Spooky Truths Regarding Halloween Safety On and Off the Road: http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/halloween-safety.aspx
• KidsHealth – A Safe and Spooktacular Halloween: http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/halloween.html# 

 November is Impaired Driving Month (Drowsy Driving Prevention)

• National Road Safety Foundation – Drowsy Driving: http://www.nrsf.org/teenlane/programs/drowsy-driving
• CDC – Drowsy Driving: Asleep at the Wheel: http://www.nrsf.org/teenlane/programs/drowsy-driving
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety: Impaired Driving: https://dps.sd.gov/safety-enforcement/highway-safety/safety-priorities/impaired-driving
• AAA – Exchange http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/drowsy-driving/#.WfoRs_-nGUk

November 13 – 19 is Button Battery Safety Week

• Children’s Safety Network-Button Battery Safety Toolkit https://www.preventchildinjury.org/toolkits/buttonbatteries
• Safe Kids – Button Battery Injury Prevention https://www.safekids.org/button-battery-injury-prevention
• Safe Kids –  Batteries Fact Sheet https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/batteries

December is Impaired Driving Month.

• Eusurance – The Science of Drunk Driving http://www.esurance.com/did-you-know/science-of-drunk-driving
• AAA DUI Justice Link http://duijusticelink.aaa.com/for-the-public/get-educated/alcohol
• Home Health Testing- How long does alcohol stay in your system https://www.homehealthtesting.com/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system.html
• Centers for Disease Control – Teen Drinking and Driving http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/teendrinkinganddriving/
• Eusurance – The Great Marijuana Myth – Is Driving High Dangerous http://blog.esurance.com/is-driving-high-dangerous/#.U-Jo0fmwKiM
• South Dakota High School Facts http://www.safesouthdakota.com/thenumbers.php
• Center for Disease Control – Drunk Driving in South Dakota https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pdf/impaired_driving/drunk_driving_in_sd.pdf
• What are South Dakota’s laws pertaining to impaired driving?
  • Department of Public Safety – Impaired Driving in South Dakota https://dps.sd.gov/enforcement/highway_safety/dui_faqs.aspx
  • Underage Impaired Driving in South Dakota https://dps.sd.gov/safety-enforcement/highway-safety/safety-priorities/underage-impaired-driving
• Safe Communities – What is your DUI-Q? https://www.safecomm.org/SoberCab
• Safe Communities-The Real Effects  https://www.safecomm.org/SoberCab/Effects
• Video:  Every 15 Minutes a Teen Dies from Drunk Driving http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOI3ZNidp5A
• 2016-South-Dakota-Motor-Vehicle-Traffic-Crash-Summary-Facts-Book.pdfhttps://dps.sd.gov/resource-library/2016-South-Dakota-Motor-Vehicle-Traffic-Crash-Summary-Facts-Book.pdf-837
• Worst Decision Ever:  https://worstdecisionever.com/

Battery Awareness

• Emmett’s Story – Dangers of Swallowing a Button Batteryhttps://youtu.be/-dRs_aH5Vb8
• Safe Kids – Batteries https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/batteries
• Safe Kids – Protect your child from Swallowing Coin lithium batteries https://www.safekids.org/video/protect-your-child-swallowing-coin-lithium-batteries
• Consumer Product Safety Commission   https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/buttonbattery.pdf
• Consumer Product Safety Commission – For Kids Sake Think Toy Safety https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/281%281%29.pdf

Toy Safety

• Safe Kids – Toy Safety https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/toy-safety
• Safe Kids – Toy Safety Tips https://www.safekids.org/tip/toy-safety-tips
• Recall.gov – To sign up to be on Recall List https://www.recalls.gov/
• Kids Health – Choosing Safe Toys http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/safe-toys.html

Holiday Safety

• Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is the premier non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace. Top 10 Holiday Safety Tips https://www.esfi.org/resource/top-10-holiday-safety-tips-337