The Community Injury Prevention & Control Section New articles: Making a Family Plan for Disasters and Emergencies & Health Officials Warn Of Carbon Monoxide Dangers Our mission within our section is to create a forum and a movement to bring awareness and action to the issue of the public health problem of preventable injury mortality and morbidity. Injury continues to be the leading cause of death for Floridians ages 1 – 44 and is the 3rd leading cause of death for all ages.  Yet, there are no categorical funds or recurring legislative revenue mechanisms to underwrite and sustain long-term primary injury prevention efforts for all Florida counties.  Injuries are not accidents!  Public health science shows that most injury events are predictable and preventable. The research  irrefutably shows that a multi-faceted approach including injury prevention education, injury prevention policy/legislation, safety enforcement and injury control technologies applied to the populations at risk is not only effective in reducing the human and economic burden of injury death and disability but is also cost beneficial.  As former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said, “If a disease were killing our children at the rate unintentional injuries are, the public would be outraged and demand that this killer be stopped.”   Please join our section and help us make a safer Florida.  It wouldn’t hurt! Attached is the list of injury prevention bills submitted this session. 2008 Injury Related Bills Several notable bills did not pass-Primary Safety Belt Enforcement, Child-Restraints in Motor Vehicles, Toy Safety, Suicide Prevention Education and Swimming Pool and Spa Safety. However, the School Safety-Bullying HB 669 and Pedestrian Safety SB 154 did get passed by the Legislature.  For more details and other bills refer to the attached. Please keep in mind that bills passed by the Legislature are sent to Governor Crist for his review and signature or veto.   A bill must be approved by the Governor before the bill is considered as law. Stephen M. McCloskey, CPST Community Injury Prevention & Control Section Chair Links:   http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Injury/ http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/bikesafe/case_studies/casestudy.cfm?CM_NUM=41&CS_NUM=804 http://www2.edc.org/buildingsafecommunities/buildbridges/bb2.1/cost.html http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/BikeHelmetUseLawsWeb/pages/7ProfileBJacksonvill.htm   Making a Family Plan for Disasters and Emergencies A disaster supply kit for your home or an evacuation should include items in six basic areas: (1) water, (2) food, (3) first aid supplies and medications, (4) clothing and bedding, (5) tools and emergency supplies, and (6) important family documents. You will need a supply kit if you are confined to your home. It is also valuable if you evacuate to a place other than a well-stocked shelter or if you’re unsure of the shelter’s supplies. Tips for Making Your Kit Keep loose items in airtight plastic bags. Gather the kit’s items in easy-to-carry containers or duffle bags. Put kit within reach of your most often used exit. Check and update your kit and family needs at least once a year. Tips for Water & Food Supplies A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water daily. Heat and intense activity can double this amount. Children, nursing mothers and those with special needs may require more. Food preparation and sanitation require another two quarts (minimum) per person daily. Purchased bottled water that has been sealed is best for storage. It meets FDA guidelines for food, is not as vulnerable to temperature changes as unsealed water and has no shelf life. (Some bottles do have expiration dates, but this is mainly for inventory control.)  If for any reason you must disinfect water, use unscented bleach in the ratio of 8 drops per gallon, about 1/8 teaspoon, and let the mixture sit 30 minutes before use. Choose compact, lightweight foods that do not require refrigeration, cooking or preparation and foods that use little or no water. Hand washing with soap and water is extremely important. However, in the event water for hand washing is unavailable, use alcohol-based sanitizer. DOH recommends a three-day supply of food and water in your kit, including: One gallon of water per person per day Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.) Powdered milk and canned juices High-energy snacks and comfort/stress foods Food for infants and individuals with special needs Pedialyte (to restore hydration if needed) Mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils Non-electric can opener, utility knife For tools and emergency supplies, DOH recommends: Cash or traveler’s checks, coins Map of the area for locating shelters Battery-operated radio and flashlight, extra batteries Fire extinguisher Pliers and shut-off wrench to turn off household water and/or gas Compass, signal flare, whistle and tube tent Plastic sheeting, storage containers and bucket with tight lid Plastic garbage bags and ties for sanitation Tape (duct, masking) Candles and matches in a waterproof container Paper, pencil Needles, thread Medicine dropper Aluminum foil Toilet paper, moistened towelettes and towels Soap, liquid detergent, disinfectant and unscented household chlorine bleach Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items Infant supplies (diapers, bottles and pacifiers) For clothing and bedding supplies, DOH recommends: At least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person Sturdy shoes, work boots, hats and gloves Blankets or sleeping bags and pillows Rain gear Extra prescription glasses, sunglasses and/or contact lenses DOH recommends having first aid kits for your home and cars, including: A three-day supply of each person’s vital medications Prescription drugs Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes 2-inch and 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4–6) 2-inch and 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) Triangular bandages (3) Latex gloves (at least 2 pairs) Cleansing agent, soap and moistened towelettes Antiseptic and antibiotic ointment Petroleum jelly or other lubricant Assorted sizes of safety pins Scissors, tweezers, needle and thermometer Tongue depressors (2) Non-prescription drugs Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever Anti-diarrhea medication, antacid and laxative Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center) Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center) Sunscreen Mosquito repellent, with DEET when appropriate DOH recommends copies of the following important family documents are kept in a waterproof, portable container within kits: Insurance policies Contracts and deeds Stocks and bonds Social Security cards and passports Immunization records and prescriptions Bank account numbers Credit card account numbers and company names and telephone numbers Inventory of valuable household goods Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) and wills Current photographs of family members For further information, contact a local county health department or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org. The Florida Emergency Information Line: 1-800-342-3557 Public Information Emergency Support Function: 850-921-0384   Health Officials Warn Of Carbon Monoxide Dangers (Carbon Monoxide Poster) --Generator safety precautions can help prevent poisoning-- TALLAHASSEE – As residents begin the task of preparing for tropical storm Fay, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) is urging the public to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) exposure by taking precautions with gas-powered appliances and charcoal or gas grills. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas, and is highly poisonous.  Depending on the level of exposure, CO may cause fatigue, weakness, chest pains for those with heart disease, shortness of breath upon exertion, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, impaired vision, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, death. DOH recommends the following precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace. NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.  Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home.  ALWAYS place generators on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, vents, and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to come indoors.  Follow the instructions that come with your generator. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY.  DO NOT DELAY. Remember that you cannot see or smell CO and portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly.  If you find a person who has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 immediately.  Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries. For further information, contact a local county health department or visit www.doh.state.fl.us or www.FloridaDisaster.org. The Florida Emergency Information Line: 1-800-342-3557 Public Information Emergency Support Function: 850-921-0384