In Wake of Beach Drowning, Town Lifeguards Demonstrate How to Survive Rip Current
June 24, 2010
Tuesday, the latest youngster died in Long Beach after being caught in a riptide while swimming without the supervision of a lifeguard. In the wake of this most recent tragedy, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and town ocean lifeguards will offer beach safety tips and demonstrate how to avoid being caught in a deadly rip current.
"One drowning death is one too many," said Supervisor Murray. "As the weather heats up and more people head to our local beaches, we want to ensure that they are armed with the information they need to swim safely."
Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from the shore. Typically, rip currents extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents can occur at any beach with breaking waves.
Some tips the supervisor offered to swimmers who are caught in a rip current include remaining calm and conserving energy; not fighting against the current; thinking of the current like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of; swimming out of the current in the direction following the shoreline; if unable to swim out of current, float or calmly tread water, swimming toward the shore when out of the current; or, if unable to reach the shore, waving arms and yelling for help. Tips were also issued for those on the shoreline who see a person in trouble to prevent them from becoming a victim of the rip current as well.
Other simple safety tips that beachgoers can follow are never swimming alone and never swimming outside designated swimming areas.
"One of the most important safety tips that we can offer is to always swim near a lifeguard," concluded Murray. "Our lifeguards are trained to deal with the rip currents. If there is no lifeguard, DO NOT go in the water."
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Envision Valley Stream
The next general meeting of Envision Valley Stream will be held on Tuesday, June 29 at 7:30PM in the Hendrickson Park Administration Building. You can enjoy a walk in Hendrickson Park, get involved in your community and have some Ralph's Italian Ice for FREE all in one evening! Envision Valley Stream continues to make great progress, but needs your help to have a positive impact in our community.
Our sincerest thanks to everyone that made Art in the Park possible, and thank you so much to everyone that came down to the event and made it a success. We will be organizing and hosting more great events that bring our community together, and look forward to seeing you again.
Sincerely,
David Sabatino
Founder
Envision Valley Stream
Our sincerest thanks to everyone that made Art in the Park possible, and thank you so much to everyone that came down to the event and made it a success. We will be organizing and hosting more great events that bring our community together, and look forward to seeing you again.
Sincerely,
David Sabatino
Founder
Envision Valley Stream
Water Safety
Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey would like to remind county residents that water safety is something that all parents should be aware of. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury related death among children ages 1 - 14. It can happen very quickly and in less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of water, so filled bathtubs, swimming pools, wading pools, hot tubs, and even buckets of water and sinks can be dangerous.
To reduce your child's risk of drowning
Home
Never leave a small child unattended in the bath. If you must answer the telephone or door, don't rely on an older sibling to watch the child, bring the younger child with you.
Never leave a small child unattended near a bucket filled with any amount of water or other liquid.
Never use a bathtub seat with suction cups. The seat can overturn and flip a baby headfirst into the water.
Install a toilet-lid locking device or keep bathroom doors closed at all times. (Or you may want to install a doorknob cover.)
Pool
Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
Practice ‘touch supervision’ with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.
If you are planning a pool party, consider hiring a certified lifeguard to supervise those who will be in the pool.
Put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.
Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) may add to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of the fence between your house and the pool. Even fencing around your pool and using a power safety cover will not prevent all drowning.
Drain Entrapment occurs when part of a child’s body becomes attached to a drain because of the powerful suction of a pool or hot tub filtration system. The powerful suction can trap a child underwater or cause internal injuries. It can also occur when a child’s hair, swimsuit or jewelry becomes entangled in the drain. In 2007, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act made it illegal to manufacture, distribute or sell drain covers that do not adhere to the standards for anti-entrapment safety set by the Consumer Product and Safety Commission.
Warn your children about the dangers of drain entrapment, and teach them never to play near a pool drain, with or without a cover.
Pin up long hair when in the water and remove loose parts of swimsuits and loose jewelry that can get ensnared.
Equip pools and hot tubs with an anti-entrapment drain cover and an approved safety vacuum release system and regularly check that drain covers are secure and have no cracks. Flat drain covers can be replaced with dome-shaped ones.
Be aware of public wading pools with missing or broken drain covers. Small children have direct access to the bottom drain in wading pools and sitting on open drains can cause serious internal organ damage.
Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water. Most young children who drown in swimming pools were last seen in the home, had only been missing from sight for a matter of minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time. There is no substitute for active adult supervision to prevent drowning.
To reduce your child's risk of drowning
Home
Never leave a small child unattended in the bath. If you must answer the telephone or door, don't rely on an older sibling to watch the child, bring the younger child with you.
Never leave a small child unattended near a bucket filled with any amount of water or other liquid.
Never use a bathtub seat with suction cups. The seat can overturn and flip a baby headfirst into the water.
Install a toilet-lid locking device or keep bathroom doors closed at all times. (Or you may want to install a doorknob cover.)
Pool
Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
Practice ‘touch supervision’ with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.
If you are planning a pool party, consider hiring a certified lifeguard to supervise those who will be in the pool.
Put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.
Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) may add to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of the fence between your house and the pool. Even fencing around your pool and using a power safety cover will not prevent all drowning.
Drain Entrapment occurs when part of a child’s body becomes attached to a drain because of the powerful suction of a pool or hot tub filtration system. The powerful suction can trap a child underwater or cause internal injuries. It can also occur when a child’s hair, swimsuit or jewelry becomes entangled in the drain. In 2007, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act made it illegal to manufacture, distribute or sell drain covers that do not adhere to the standards for anti-entrapment safety set by the Consumer Product and Safety Commission.
Warn your children about the dangers of drain entrapment, and teach them never to play near a pool drain, with or without a cover.
Pin up long hair when in the water and remove loose parts of swimsuits and loose jewelry that can get ensnared.
Equip pools and hot tubs with an anti-entrapment drain cover and an approved safety vacuum release system and regularly check that drain covers are secure and have no cracks. Flat drain covers can be replaced with dome-shaped ones.
Be aware of public wading pools with missing or broken drain covers. Small children have direct access to the bottom drain in wading pools and sitting on open drains can cause serious internal organ damage.
Remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water. Most young children who drown in swimming pools were last seen in the home, had only been missing from sight for a matter of minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time. There is no substitute for active adult supervision to prevent drowning.
Online Safety Tips for Social Networking Sites
Social networking sites have opened a fun new world for internet users. Sites like Facebook, My Space and Twitter have allowed people to stay in touch with friends and family, reconnect with old friends and even conduct business from there pages. However, these sites are also a perfect opportunity for criminals to get personal information about you and your children. Remember, what you put on the Internet STAYS on the internet, FOREVER. All of the personal information that is being posted on profiles — names, birth dates, kids’ names, photographs, pet’s names, addresses, opinions on your company, your friends and your acquaintances — all of it serves as a one-stop shop for thieves. The Nassau County Police Department would like our citizens to remember the following safety tips for social networking websites.
1. Don’t accept friend requests unless you absolutely know who they are from and that you would associate with them in person, just like real friends.
2. Be cautious about the personal information that you post on any social media site, as there is every chance in the world that it will spread beyond your original submission.
3. Assume that everything you put on a social-networking site is permanent. Even if you can delete your account, anyone on the Internet can easily print photos or text or save images and videos to a computer,
4. Learn how to adjust your privacy settings so that you know who can see your personal information.
5. Never post that you are on vacation or away from home, even if it is just for a few hours.
6. Don’t post or upload photos while away from your house, wait until you are back home before you post.
7. The old adage “some things are better left unsaid” holds true for social networks. Avoid making derogatory or insensitive remarks about others.
1. Don’t accept friend requests unless you absolutely know who they are from and that you would associate with them in person, just like real friends.
2. Be cautious about the personal information that you post on any social media site, as there is every chance in the world that it will spread beyond your original submission.
3. Assume that everything you put on a social-networking site is permanent. Even if you can delete your account, anyone on the Internet can easily print photos or text or save images and videos to a computer,
4. Learn how to adjust your privacy settings so that you know who can see your personal information.
5. Never post that you are on vacation or away from home, even if it is just for a few hours.
6. Don’t post or upload photos while away from your house, wait until you are back home before you post.
7. The old adage “some things are better left unsaid” holds true for social networks. Avoid making derogatory or insensitive remarks about others.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Pool Safety
Hempstead "Sounds the Alarm" for Pool Safety
June 21, 2010
Before the summer solstice marks the official start to the 2010 summer season on June 21, three Long Island children have already drowned in homeowner swimming pools. In the wake of these recent tragedies, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has partnered with Cablevision and King Kullen to promote pool safety and help prevent accidental drownings. The group has commenced a media campaign and will disseminate a brochure to all town residents on the subject of swimming pool alarms and pool safety.
"Each summer, children tragically drown in homeowner swimming pools," Murray said. "To prevent more devastating pool accidents from occurring this summer, we're working hard to educate pool owners, parents and grandparents of children who may swim in neighborhood pools. There are positive and important safeguards and practices that we can undertake to protect our kids."
To safeguard children from the hazards associated with swimming pools, Murray passed legislation in 2008 requiring all pools in the town to be alarmed. Under Murray's pool alarm law, all homeowner swimming pools located in unincorporated areas of the town must have an alarm capable of detecting a child entering the water. A poolside alarm must emit an 85-decibel alert and a remote device must be located at a second site in the home. The town's law is more stringent and comprehensive than current New York State law, which mandates pool alarms only for pools built or significantly altered after December 14, 2006.
"A pool without an alarm is an invitation for disaster," Murray said. "This law is helping to save countless young lives."
Along with a campaign to raise awareness of the town's pool alarm requirements, Cablevision will air a public service announcement and Murray is promoting pool safety with informational brochures and mailings. The pool safety guide mailed to all residents discusses pool alarm requirements and the benefits of using the safety device. Additionally, the brochure discusses a host of pool safety tips, including the following issues:
-Never leave a child alone or out of sight at a pool
-If a child is missing, check the pool first
-Secure or remove steps on above ground pools when not in use
-Never use a pool with a broken or missing drain cover
-Keep emergency rescue equipment and emergency phone numbers by the pool
-A rope float line should be placed across the pool, alerting swimmers of the separation of the deep end from the shallow end
-All pools must be permitted by the local town/jurisdiction and are required to have physical barriers surrounding them (many other safety restrictions also apply)
"Pool alarms and other safety measures are important safeguards against accidental drowning," stated Murray. "However, there is no substitute for vigilant adult supervision around the pool."
Teaching children to swim is also an important component in preventing accidental drowning. Each summer, the Town of the Hempstead teaches thousands of kids how to swim at various locations throughout the township.
"Every parent, grandparent and friend to a child should be aware of life saving pool safety information," Supervisor Murray concluded. "You can protect your loved ones and enjoy a safe summer in and around your pool."
June 21, 2010
Before the summer solstice marks the official start to the 2010 summer season on June 21, three Long Island children have already drowned in homeowner swimming pools. In the wake of these recent tragedies, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has partnered with Cablevision and King Kullen to promote pool safety and help prevent accidental drownings. The group has commenced a media campaign and will disseminate a brochure to all town residents on the subject of swimming pool alarms and pool safety.
"Each summer, children tragically drown in homeowner swimming pools," Murray said. "To prevent more devastating pool accidents from occurring this summer, we're working hard to educate pool owners, parents and grandparents of children who may swim in neighborhood pools. There are positive and important safeguards and practices that we can undertake to protect our kids."
To safeguard children from the hazards associated with swimming pools, Murray passed legislation in 2008 requiring all pools in the town to be alarmed. Under Murray's pool alarm law, all homeowner swimming pools located in unincorporated areas of the town must have an alarm capable of detecting a child entering the water. A poolside alarm must emit an 85-decibel alert and a remote device must be located at a second site in the home. The town's law is more stringent and comprehensive than current New York State law, which mandates pool alarms only for pools built or significantly altered after December 14, 2006.
"A pool without an alarm is an invitation for disaster," Murray said. "This law is helping to save countless young lives."
Along with a campaign to raise awareness of the town's pool alarm requirements, Cablevision will air a public service announcement and Murray is promoting pool safety with informational brochures and mailings. The pool safety guide mailed to all residents discusses pool alarm requirements and the benefits of using the safety device. Additionally, the brochure discusses a host of pool safety tips, including the following issues:
-Never leave a child alone or out of sight at a pool
-If a child is missing, check the pool first
-Secure or remove steps on above ground pools when not in use
-Never use a pool with a broken or missing drain cover
-Keep emergency rescue equipment and emergency phone numbers by the pool
-A rope float line should be placed across the pool, alerting swimmers of the separation of the deep end from the shallow end
-All pools must be permitted by the local town/jurisdiction and are required to have physical barriers surrounding them (many other safety restrictions also apply)
"Pool alarms and other safety measures are important safeguards against accidental drowning," stated Murray. "However, there is no substitute for vigilant adult supervision around the pool."
Teaching children to swim is also an important component in preventing accidental drowning. Each summer, the Town of the Hempstead teaches thousands of kids how to swim at various locations throughout the township.
"Every parent, grandparent and friend to a child should be aware of life saving pool safety information," Supervisor Murray concluded. "You can protect your loved ones and enjoy a safe summer in and around your pool."
Monday, June 21, 2010
Knights of Columbus
Joe Camolli
Grand Knight
Twelve Apostles Council #5001
In 1882 a priest named Father Michael J. McGivney gathered a small group of Catholic men together in St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Ct.. That group formed a fraternal benefits society to provide insurance for the widows of it's members while offering fellowship among Catholic men. That Group became known as the Knights of Columbus. Today the Knights of Columbus has grown to more than 1.7 milloin members located in over 14,000 councils throughout the world. Each year members of this organization donate more than 64 million volunteer hours and over $145 million dollars to charitable and church causes. The Knights of Columbus Councils provide a wide variety of opportunities for members and their families that are enjoyable and that benefit not only the Church but the community as a whole. We are practicing Catholic men who come together to support our church and parish community.Won't you join us?
If you are interested in membership please contact Twelve Apostles Council , P.O.Box 595 , Franklin Square NY 11010, or call St. Catherine of Sienna RCC parish office at 516-352-0146 to leave a message and we will get back to you.
Grand Knight
Twelve Apostles Council #5001
In 1882 a priest named Father Michael J. McGivney gathered a small group of Catholic men together in St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Ct.. That group formed a fraternal benefits society to provide insurance for the widows of it's members while offering fellowship among Catholic men. That Group became known as the Knights of Columbus. Today the Knights of Columbus has grown to more than 1.7 milloin members located in over 14,000 councils throughout the world. Each year members of this organization donate more than 64 million volunteer hours and over $145 million dollars to charitable and church causes. The Knights of Columbus Councils provide a wide variety of opportunities for members and their families that are enjoyable and that benefit not only the Church but the community as a whole. We are practicing Catholic men who come together to support our church and parish community.Won't you join us?
If you are interested in membership please contact Twelve Apostles Council , P.O.Box 595 , Franklin Square NY 11010, or call St. Catherine of Sienna RCC parish office at 516-352-0146 to leave a message and we will get back to you.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
LIPA's Critical Care Program
As we prepare for hurricane season and the assorted storms that come with summer, the Long Island Power Authority is urging customers with special medical needs to sign up for LIPA’s Critical Care Program in the event of a loss of power.
Customers enrolled in the program will receive advanced notice of scheduled outages or sever weather that could interrupt service. In addition, every effort will be made to restore power to customers enrolled in the program as soon as possible should there be an outage. However, in the event timely restoration is difficult, customers should have a backup plan ready.
Customers wishing to enroll in the Critical Care Program must provide LIPA with a medical certificate from a doctor or a Board of Health.
Devices which meet the criteria of “life-support equipment” include:
§ Apnea Monitor
§ Curraise Respirator
§ Positive Pressure Respirator
§ Suction Machine
§ IV Feeding Machine
§ Tank Type Respirator
§ Respirator/Ventilator
§ Hemodialysis Machine
§ Rocking Bed Respirator
§ Oxygen Concentrator
§ IV Medical Infusion Machine
§ Additional devices may qualify as life-support equipment if certified by a physician.
For additional information, please visit LIPA’s Critical Care Program website at http://www.lipower.org/residential/custserv/services-care.html or call 1-800-490-0025.
Best,
Deputy Presiding Officer John J. Ciotti
Legislator, District 3
Customers enrolled in the program will receive advanced notice of scheduled outages or sever weather that could interrupt service. In addition, every effort will be made to restore power to customers enrolled in the program as soon as possible should there be an outage. However, in the event timely restoration is difficult, customers should have a backup plan ready.
Customers wishing to enroll in the Critical Care Program must provide LIPA with a medical certificate from a doctor or a Board of Health.
Devices which meet the criteria of “life-support equipment” include:
§ Apnea Monitor
§ Curraise Respirator
§ Positive Pressure Respirator
§ Suction Machine
§ IV Feeding Machine
§ Tank Type Respirator
§ Respirator/Ventilator
§ Hemodialysis Machine
§ Rocking Bed Respirator
§ Oxygen Concentrator
§ IV Medical Infusion Machine
§ Additional devices may qualify as life-support equipment if certified by a physician.
For additional information, please visit LIPA’s Critical Care Program website at http://www.lipower.org/residential/custserv/services-care.html or call 1-800-490-0025.
Best,
Deputy Presiding Officer John J. Ciotti
Legislator, District 3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
