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Back to School:
A Handy Health
& Safety Checklist
ell
one:
nvie
by John Schlageck, crashing or nearly crashing
Kansas Farm Bureau Writer when dialing a hand-held phone
Self-absorbed. It's all about while driving. Risk associated
me. I am the center of the uni- with text messaging may be
by Dr. Lisa Gales, plain what to do if the driver is verse, much higher based on a new
Main Street Pharmacy running late. If your child walls All of these words come tostudy of truck drivers. The main
It's time to switch from swim- or bikes, do a dry run and ex- mind when today's endless fmding here was a 23-fold in-
suits to school clothes and from plain any potential traffic haz- stream of motorists talk, tweet, crease in the odds of crashing,
beach bags to backpacks, ards. If your child or teen takes and Facebook while speeding nearly crashing or drifting from
That's the easy part. the bus, find a safe route and down the boulevard. This recent a travel lane among truckers who
What about preparing your agree on a visible pick-up and phenomenon has become epi-texted while driving.
child to have the healthiest and drop-off spot. Ideally, this is a demic and it's spreading. This list continues.
safest school year possible? place where other kids are Harsh words? Whatever happened to the
Here'sahandychecklisttohelp. around and adults can clcarly see Certainly, but there are also conscientious and courteous
1. Schedule medical, eye, and them. If your teen drives to harsh consequences in lives driver of yesteryear?
dental checkups. Before school school, be crystal clear about lost, maimed and injured perma- How many motorists today
starts,check with your child's safe driving -- including that nently in traffic accidents caused continually scan the road and
practitioner or health department teen temptation: texting while by those who place their own sidewalks in front of them for
to see if your child needs any driving. Create an emergency need to continually talk or text kids biking or walking down the
immunizations. Vision and hear- plan in case anything goes awry. on the phone before focusing on sidewall? How about a watch-
ing tests are also a good idea. If In fact, make sure your child the task at hand -- driving ful eye for the elderly couple out
your child is playing sports, ask knows what to do in an emer- safely and consciously, for an early morning stroll? Or
the practitioners or the school gency -- whether at home, In 2014, 3,179 people weresomeone else walling his or her
whether a special physical is school, or anywhere in between, killed and an estimated 431,000 dog?
needed, including sport activi- 4. Remember that there's more were injured in motor ve- Such conduct while driving
ties outside of school such as more to school than hitting the hicle crashes involving dis- today has become the exception
little league. With certain sports, books. For example,good nutri- tracted drivers, according to the rather than the rule. Did I men-
concussions can be a serious tion and exercise are essential for National Highway Traffic Safety tion before that driving today is
problem. Talk to the doctor brain health. Association. all about me getting where I need
about ways to protect your child. Here are a few other remind- Ten percent of all drivers 15- to go?
2. Organize your child's medi- ors. Be consistent about bedtime 19 years of age involved in fatal What we need on our streets
cal history records. Provide cop- and wake-up t'tmes. Growing kids crashes were reported as dis- and highways today are motor-
ies to your child's school or need at least eight hours ofsleep, tracted at the time ofthe crashes, ists with the intelligence to un-
daycare providers.The list and teens need even more. Make At any given moment acrossderstand that driving a car,
should include your child's: Pro- homework a habit by having America, approximately 660,000 pickup, motorcycle, bus, van,
scription medications, medical clear routines. But don't over- drivers use cell phones or ma- SUV, or anything you crawl be-
problems such as asthma or al- look free time and friend time. nipulate electronic devices while hind the wheel and drive requires
lergies, previous surgeries, and Explain ways to prevent infec- driving, your undivided attention.
updated emergency contacts, tion such as by regularly wash- Those who aren't calling or With the ever-growing num-
3. Communicate about trans- ing hands and by not sharing text'mg are distracted while driv- ber of people on roads today,
portation. Some kids get dropped hats or other clothing, ing by something else in one or driving must be tuned in to the
off and picked up by parents, Keep lines of communicationboth of their mitts. You know ... business of driving. This means
while others wall, bike, or take open. Listen for signs of bully- a mascara brush, a hamburger, a no phone calls, no meals, no
the bus. Teenagers may be driv- ing or other concerns. Manyliter ofwater or a tablet whilethey makeup. Just drive.
ing themselves, often several parents find that car rides are a steer with their knees. There's seldom a phone in
miles in less than perfect weather great time to have non-threaten- Recent research at Virginia my car. When I carry one, I never
conditions. Regardless, it's im- ing conversations with their Tech revealed an almost three- call or answer it when I'm behind
portant that your kids be -- and kids. Contact the schoolifa prob- fold increase in the odds of the wheel. I conduct calls when
feel -- safe getting to and from lem like bullying does arise. I leave the car aider I arrive alive.
school. If you or another adult Have a great year, and remora-
picks up your child, agree on a ber to thank your child's teach-
time and place for pickups. Ex- ors for all that they do!
Jodi Pitts DVM
k ,~[VET.,CLINIC,., IB}/ 620-846--2239
Mixed Animal Services
and
Animal Chiropractic Care
¢,
Small Animal Chiropractic Exams-S55
Equine Chiropractic Exams-S75
Will Travel!
Custom made hot-stamp ear tags available.
Santa Fe Trail Vet Clinic santafetrailvet(a)gmail.corr
404 W. Texcoco
Montezuma, Ks 67867 Like us on facebook
At Main St. Pharmacy, we're more than just pharmacists.
We're your neighbors. As such, we want to support your
health and save you money. Match our advice with our low
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COLDWATER, KS 67029
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620.582.2134
HeaLth Ma rt.
Maims
I have no desire to tall on the
phone while I drive. IfI had my
druthers, I wouldn't carry a
phone in my vehicle. My car
functions the way it was in-
tended without one. Anyway, I
prefer to be ever vigilant look-
ing out for all those motorists
who are doing everything else
in their cars but driving.
Used to be one of the last
bastions of individual freedom
was cruising in your car with the
windows down, the radio play-
ing your favorite song and the
wind whistling through your
hair. Every so often, you'd raise
your index finger to signal, "Hey"
to an upcoming motorist who'd
reply in kind.
Doesn't happen much today.
More than likely the only finger
you'll see in 2016 is the middle
one and it ain't raised to say
hello.
Still I can dream, but not be-
hind the wheel--that's where I
drive.
ege
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Aug. 15-29
Monday
Polish Sausage
Peas
Steamed Cabbage
Bun
Tropical Fruit Salad
Tuesday
Crispy Chicken Wrap
Cottage Cheese
Carrot Raisin Salad
Tortilla
Pears
Wednesday
Salmon Patties
Mac & Cheese
California Blend
Whole Wheat Roll
Applesauce
Thursday
Oven Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Carrots
Whole Wheat Bread
Ambrosia
Friday
Taco Salad
Refried Beans
Vegetables in Entrde
Breadstick
Sherbet
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