Fall brings many recreational activities such as football, trips to the pumpkin patch, hayrack rides and, of course, Halloween.  As a child growing up in a small Nebraska town in the late 70s and early 80s, Halloween was fun and fairly safe.  The worst we had to worry about was scraped knees or getting sick from eating too much candy.  As time went by and we became more aware of how dangerous the world was becoming, we had to increase our safety.  We began to realize it was no longer safe to go out alone and could not eat unwrapped or unsealed candy.  As we think of safety this Halloween season, remember not to overlook those basic rules.  Always carry a flashlight and travel in groups.  This year expand your safety to include some less obvious safety risks of Halloween.

Costumes have changed a great deal over the years.  My first costume was Jiminy Cricket, which was basically a cheap plastic mask and green smock.  The days of the mask have been overtaken by face paint and makeup.  Be sure to test the paint or makeup on a small patch of skin prior to Halloween night to avoid an unnecessary trip to the emergency room and look for face paint that has the FDA approved list of color additives, especially if your child tends to have allergies.  Ensure that all makeup has been removed with soap and water prior to going to bed to prevent a breakout or staining on your clothes or skin.  Be aware that although cosmetic contact lenses may look cool, they can lead to very serious eye infections.  Remember never to share contact lenses with friends or family members and always wash your hands when putting contacts in or taking them out.

If you or your child chooses a mask in lieu of paint, remember to check the mask for sharp edges and make sure there is enough room in the mask to breathe comfortably.  Adults should limit intake of black licorice as it can cause potassium levels to fall which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure in adults.  Obviously certain activities can also increase your susceptibility to germs, such as bobbing for apples or sharing drinks or food at a party.  Remember that the cold and flu season has already begun and these activities can spread germs.

If you choose not to trick or treat with your children, be sure to check your state’s website for sex offenders and do not allow your children to trick or treat at these houses.  Make sure you know the route your children are taking and if possible, make sure an adult travels with the group of trick or treaters.  Ensure that your children understand there is a firm curfew on Halloween night, so you know when your children are supposed to be safely home.  Make sure your children have a cell phone available to call if they are delayed.  Warn your children about the flammable nature of clothing they may be wearing and advise them to keep their distance from lit jack-o-lanterns.

Lastly, ensure your children know the difference between a harmless trick and vandalism or criminal behavior.  Above all, remember to warn your children not to get into a car, enter a house or even talk to strangers.  If they are approached by a stranger and feel uncomfortable, they should scream and run away as fast as possible.  All children should know how to safely cross the street and to look out for smaller children.  Halloween should be a fun time for the entire family, so be careful and enjoy the holiday!

If you are operating a motor vehicle in the State of Iowa, you know speeds are carefully monitored.  Last week, the Iowa Department of Transportation published new rules requiring cities and counties to provide proof there’s a critical safety concern at a specific location before traffic monitoring cameras would be allowed at that location.  The proposed rules will be presented at a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Iowa Capital in front of a committee of five Republicans and five Democrats who provide legislative oversight on state agency rule making.

If you would like to comment on the proposed rules, please send your suggestions to the Department of Transportation prior to October 29, 2013.  The rules could go into effect as early as February 12, 2014.

At the current time, nine Iowa cities and Polk County use automated cameras to ticket motorists for minor traffic infractions, such as running a red light or violating posted speed limits.  The cities included are:  Cedar Rapids, Clive, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Muscatine, Sioux City and Windsor Heights.  Some of these cities use permanent cameras on highways or Interstates, while others use mobile cameras mounted in vehicles parked alongside state roads.

Although opinions vary on how cost effective and efficient this process is, law enforcement contends roads are safer when drivers know their actions are being monitored.  Although the rules would provide some oversight and regulation to the use of the cameras, some politicians and citizens would like to see a permanent ban on the traffic monitoring cameras.

It was March 23, 1913.  Five twisters across Nebraska and Iowa killed 115 people in total.  At this time, there was no such thing as a tornado warning .  In fact, the first tornado warning system was made by United States Air Force Captain Robert C. Miller and Major Ernest Fawbush on March 25, 1948.  Time and technology brought sophistication to the tornado warning systems and today, Doppler weather radar can detect rotational funnel cloud formations earlier than is typically possible by trained spotters.  On May 29, 2013, the National Weather Service reported nearly a dozen tornadoes in south-central and southeastern Nebraska, however reported no injuries, which speaks volumes to the advances in warning systems.

Growing up in rural Nebraska, I learned at a very young age the dangers of the devastating winds and tornadoes.  I remember being ordered to the cellar when the warnings would come on our small television, where we could find blankets, a radio, flashlights and yes, even an old camping lantern and some matches and would wait out the storm.  Today we receive our warnings much more efficiently with the invention of computers and the internet, but how many of us actually know how to prepare for a tornado or stay safe once one is forecast?  The American Red Cross not only responds to these disasters, they offer safety tips and a free lifesaving tornado application available for download on the iPhone and Android.  Just search for “Tornado by American Red Cross” in your applications store.

You can prepare for a tornado by gathering important emergency supplies, such as food, water, medications, batteries, flashlights, and a portable radio.  If you are in a tornado watch, you will want to keep a close monitor on the television, internet or radio for updates that may warn you when your tornado watch is upgraded to a tornado warning.  A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for a tornado, while a tornado warning means a tornado or funnel cloud has actually been sighted.  It is important to know the signs of a tornado.  Look and listen for a strong, persistent rotation in the cloud base, whirling dust or debris on the ground under a cloud base (as some tornadoes have no funnel), hail or heavy rain followed by either a dead calm or a fast, intense wind shift, or a loud continuous roar or rumble which doesn’t fade in a few seconds like thunder.

When a tornado is approaching, you should immediately take shelter in a basement or first-floor room or hallway.  Avoid windows and large, open rooms (such as a gym or an auditorium).  Seek protection by getting underneath large, solid pieces of furniture, such as a mattress or a solid oak table.  Avoid automobiles and mobile homes and if you do happen to get caught outside, lie flat on the lowest ground you can find while you wait for the storm to pass.  Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, as there can be deadly traffic hazards while the bridge actually provides very little protection against flying debris.  Stay away from trees, as they can be picked up by the tornado and tossed.  Most importantly, do not panic.  Crouch down and cover your head when you have found your safe place.  Tornadoes are a frightening reality of living in the Midwest, however if you stay alert, prepared and calm, you have a better chance of surviving the storm.

INSERRA & KELLEY SUPPORTS KIDSANDCARS.ORG

Inserra & Kelley has joined KidsAndCars.org in their campaign against the dangers cars present to children.  KidsAndCars.org was established after Janette Fennell,    Read more