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Angelina/Polk Counties Spring 2010

BeSafe Child

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Lufkin Independent School District

Our Mission is to facilitate optimal learning for all students and to enable them to lead fulfilling and productive lives in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex society.

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Inside BeSafe Child

ON THE COVER: Superintendent Roy D. Knight, Principal Don Jackson, and students from Brookhollow Elementary Vaccines: School. What Parent Should Know.................5 Protecting Children From On-Line Predators..............................................2

Childhood Obesity .........................6-7 Kids Center DQ Drawing Page For a Free Soft Cone...........................8 Making Life Better For Families Living With Autism..............9 Healthier in Sports.............................10 Stopping Domestic Violence...........11 Energy Drinks...................................12 Protecting Children From Poisoning.................................13 Kids And Canines..............................14 Simply S.A.F.E..................................15

Helpful Toll-Free Numbers • Texas Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 • Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400 • Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vision & Hearing Screening 1-800-252-8023 Ext. 6687 • Office of Attorney General Child Support: 1-800-252-8014 • Centers for Disease Control & Protection (1-800-CDC-INFO) 1-800-232-4636 • Texas Youth Hotline 1-800-210-2278 • Runaway Hotline 1-800-580-4357

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BeSafe Publications

566 C.R. 4103, Jacksonville, TX 75766 903-586-3767  1-800-233-8568 Fax 903-586-0333 www.besafechild.com email: info@besafechild.com Publisher/Editor: Royce Ewing Graphic Design/Layout: Claudette Wooddell Office: Patricia Goar ©Copyright 2010 BeSafe Publications We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information within these pages. We cannot, however, assume any liability for any kind of its validity or completeness or for additional or changed information subsequent to the date the information contained herein was submitted for publication. BeSafe Publications welcomes your suggestions and inquiries. Articles from professionals in child safety are also encouraged. While we retain our copyright position, we do grant permission to responsible parties to duplicate our articles in the interest of child safety, health and good character.

Protecting Children From Online Predators

ore than 25 million children go online regularly. Unfortunately, some child predators are taking advantage of this fact by approaching children online with the intent to meet them for a sexual encounter offline. According to the Department of Justice, 1 in 5 children is sexually solicited over the Internet. That’s why parents should get involved in their children’s activities on the Internet and always know with whom they are chatting online. Online lingo, such as “ILU” (I Love You), “CYO” (See You Online), and “a/s/l” (Age/Sex/Location) are commonly used by Internet-savvy kids. Yet a national study found that less than five percent of parents are familiar with the shorthand used by children online. Unfortunately, many online predators know and use the lingo to become friendly with kids. “Shorthand like ‘POS’ for ‘parent over shoulder’ and ‘WTGP’ for ‘want to go private’ will stop being a mystery to parents as they become more Internet savvy, and that will keep kids safer,” says Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC recently partnered with the Ad Council to sponsor a national multi-media campaign to help parents learn ways to minimize their children’s risks of being victimized. It offers these tips:

Take steps to educate yourselves about the

Internet. Place the family computer in a common area, not a child’s bedroom. Teach kids that people online are not always who they say they are. Talk with children about not giving out personal information over the Internet. “The Web is an incredible resource for kids, but we need to equip our children to deal with the reality of today’s online world by educating them in how to spot troublesome behavior and make smart decisions,” says Allen. To learn about kids’ chat shorthand and to get tips on how to talk to your children about online threats, visit www.cybertipline.com or call 1-800-THE-LOST.

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Vaccines: What Every Parent Should Know mmunizations and vaccines are hot topics Iquestions in the media recently and parents may have about ingredients, timing and more.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that all children should be vaccinated in a timely manner. Here are five reasons why vaccines are an important part of your child’s health care: 1. Vaccines prevent deadly childhood disease. Polio, whooping cough, meningitis-these diseases once claimed the lives of thousands of children in the U.S. Thanks to the development of vaccines, death rates from these illnesses have dropped dramatically. But in order to keep these rates low, children need to be vaccinated. 2. Vaccines are safe. Vaccines are tested in thousands of people before they are added to the childhood immunization schedule and are continuously monitored for any safety risks. Valid scientific studies have shown no link between thimerosal and autism. This mercury-based preservative was once used in several vaccines (and is still used in some flu vaccine). However, since thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines in 2001, autism rates have actually increased, supplying further evidence that thimerosal does not cause autism. 3. Deadly diseases are still a threat to children. Deaths due to Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in Minnesota and Pennsylvania remind us that vaccine-preventable diseases are still a threat. In addition, the United States

has seen increased cases of measles and whooping cough. Outbreaks in unvaccinated communities show that these diseases are still out there and thrive when children aren’t fully immunized. 4. Multiple vaccines do not overwhelm a child’s immune system. Antigens are the substances that create immunity to disease. Improved vaccine development has led to a decrease in the number of antigens in each vaccine. So while there may be more vaccines given than a decade ago, the number of antigens that a child’s system must respond to is less than what a single vaccine contained 50 years ago. 5. Staying on schedule is important. Infants are susceptible to infectious diseases. While these diseases could make an older child very sick, they could be deadly for infants. The recommended immunization schedule is designed to work best with a child’s immune system-at certain ages and at specific times. If a vaccine requires a second or third dose, they need to be given within a certain time frame or the vaccine will not fully protect your child. Keeping your infant safe and healthy is an important part of caring for your baby. By giving your child needed vaccinations on a timely basis, you can help your baby get a head start on a healthy future. For more information visit the AAP Web site, www.aap.org

Childhood Obesity: What is it and what can I do?

By Tim Scallon, M.S. R.D. L.D. Director of the HC Polk Education Center for Heart Stroke and Diabetes Department of Clinical Nutrition at Memorial Health System of East Texas

hildhood obesity is a serious health issue that affects not only our children but the entire family. It is estimated that 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 years are obese. That’s one in six of our children. Children at or above the 85th percentile but lower than the 95th percentile are considered to be overweight and are at greater risk of becoming obese. Follow this link on the CDC web site to determine your child’s BMI. http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi Obese children and adolescents are at higher risk for having high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes as well as asthma, sleep apnea, and hepatic steatosis - the fatty degeneration of the liver. Obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults. For example, one study found that approximately 80% of children who were overweight at ages 10–15 years were obese adults at age 25 years. As important as the physical impacts, the psycho-social impact of obesity is equally detrimental. The associated stigma of obesity can undermine a child’s ability to reach their full potential and realize their dreams. And when one person’s dreams and aspirations are lost, we all lose. How can parents be part of the solution? Let’s help our children maintain a healthy weight by balancing the calories consumed from foods and beverages with the calories burned through physical activity and normal growth. Let’s teach our children the connection between healthy lifestyle and happy successful living. The Children’s Lifestyle Intervention Program (CLIP)* a pilot study conducted by Memorial Health System of East Texas and

the Lufkin Middle School with support from the Texas Diabetes Council demonstrated that when fourth grade students are presented with lifestyle training in the form of healthy eating and routine activity, they can improve their health status. They lost weight and improved their blood work. Here are some basic steps to begin helping your family adopt a healthy lifestyle. Make fresh fruit available in the home. Minimize fast food opportunities. Reserve high fat foods and snacks, like chips, candy, and soft drinks for special occasions only. Limit fried foods. Eat vegetables every day. Replace refined grains like sugar cereals, white rice and white bread with whole grains. Move the family away from whole milk to skim milk. 2% is half way to your goal. Include beans and peas in the weekly family menu. Choose lean meats, poultry and fish. Serve portion sizes appropriate to the child’s age. Encourage your family to drink lots of water. Limit TV and computer time. Plan family activities that burn calories. Making gradual changes over time helps us to internalize healthy habits. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is more successful if it becomes a family commitment. We live together; we play together; and we celebrate together. Let’s get our children moving so that we may see them reach their fullest potential and perhaps even participate in their dreams. *The CLIP study was partially funded through the generous support of our own Mr. Ray Polk.

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Childhood Obesity And The Lack Of Physical Education

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hat is obesity? A few extra pounds do not suggest that a child is obese. However they may indicate a tendency to gain weight easily and a need for changes in diet and/or exercise. Generally, a child is not considered obese until the wiehgt is at least 10% higher that waht is recommended for their height and body type. Obesity most commonly begins in childhood between the ages of five and six, and during adolescense. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80% chance of becoming an obese adult. Lack of physical activity is found to be the most significant factor in contributing to childhood obesity along with poor eating habits. Other things that contribute to obesity in childhood and adolescence are peer pressure, low self esteem, depression, or other emotional problems, some medications, family history and stressful life events or changes. There are many risks and complications of obesity such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and increased risk of heart disease. Adolescents who are teased about their weight are 2 to 3 times more likely to have suicidal ideation and attempt, compared to adolescents who are not teased about thier weight. Obese children and adolescents are 4 times more likely to experience impaired school function when compared with healthy children and adolescents. Obese children and adolescents have been found to miss an average of 4.2 days of school during the month. The 2007 Texas Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates that among high school students: 16% were Obese. 83% had unhealthy dietary behaviors eating fruits and vegetables less than five times paer day. 38% drank a can, bottle or glass of soda or pop (not including diet soda or diet pop) at least one time per day. 55% did not meet recommended ing k i B

levels of physical activity. 59% did not attend physical education classes daily. 39% watched television 3 or more hours per day on an average school day. 24% played video or computer games or used a computer for something that was not school work for 3 or more hours per day on an average school day. What are the solutions? The legislature has mandated many chnages in our schools to help combat some of the sedentary lifestyles that children are developing today. The state requires more physical education daily. All 3-12 graders are mandated to participate in a fitness test called the FitnessGram. Students are recmmended to have a scheduled recess time each day. Fried food is eliminated from the cafeterias and vending machines cannot be available to students during breakfast and lunch time. What can parents do to help prevent their children from the obesity factor? Start a weight management program. Change eating habits. Plan meals and make better food selections. Control portions and consume less calories. Increase physical activity. Know what your child eats at school. Eat meals as a family. Do not use food as a reward. Limit snacking. Participate with your children. Parental attention is one of the biggest motivators to children of all ages. Try to focus on what they like, not what interests you. Emphasize participation rather than performance and give liberal amounts of positive reinforcement and recognition for daily activities. Remember to individualize. Each child has personal likes and dislikes. Purchase toys that require or encourage physical activity. If the lessons of lifetime physical activity and healthy food and bevarage choices are modeled at home and at school, children will have the optimal foundation for healtyy living. Ju

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Making Life Better For Families Living With Autism

s many as one out of 91 children today are diagnosed with autism and the need for effective treatments continues to grow. Getting the right support at the earliest stage in life makes all the difference. Known as early intervention, this critical type of service gives children the skills they need to be successful. What should you do if you think your child has autism? Here are a few suggestions: • Trust your instincts. • Talk to your pediatrician. • Find out about early intervention. “We know that through early detection and individualized intervention, children with autism make signifi cant progress,” said Patricia Wright, MPH, Ph.D., national director autism services, Easter Seals. For more information about living with autism, visit www. easter seals.com or www. actforautism.org.

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Healthier In Sports

arents can play a major role in keeping children fit and active-and there are many reasons to do so. Why Sports? “Children not only need to burn energy for healthy development, but also need to interact with peers, parents and other role models in a safe, supportive environment to learn life skills, such as setting and achieving goals, competing fairly and resolving disputes peaceably,” says Dr. Jim Marks, director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Tips To Help To help, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests a few tips: • Set a good example by being physically active yourself. • Play and be physically active with your children. • Make sure your youngsters know about sports and recreation programs in the community. • See that the sport suits the child. Explains Mike Greenwell of the CDC: “For example, if a child prefers fast-paced games, parents can suggest running or basketball. By con-

trast, children who prefer leisurely activities may enjoy walking or badminton.” • Teach children safety rules and make sure they have the clothing and equipment needed to participate safely in physical activities. Parents can pique interest in their children’s chosen sport by taking them to local high school or college games, attending their athlete’s games and showing them how much they admire and appreciate their efforts on and off the field. One way to encourage your youngsters to participate in sports is with life-size cutouts of them in action. For more information, visit www.stickyfan. com.

Steps Toward Stopping Domestic Violence illions of Americans avoid injury and M even premature death when more is done to curb domestic violence. It’s a problem that occurs in all types of families and relationships regardless of race, sex, religion or economic status. It’s damaging whether it is emotional or physical and has devastating health effects. Drugs, alcohol, money or stressful situations often complicate the issue. The advent of social media has allowed domestic violence to take on new forms, and with the benefit of these new technologies comes the risk of digital abuse, which can include unwanted, repeated calls or text messages, breaking into e-mail or social networking accounts, and being pressured to send private or embarrassing pictures or videos. Domestic violence is not just a problem for adults. A survey by the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence found that 40 percent of teenage girls were either victims or knew someone their age who had been abused. According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 22 percent of women and 7 percent of men have experienced physical domestic violence at some point in their lives. • Domestic violence causes an estimated 2 million injuries to women, 580,000 to men and 1,500 deaths annually. • According to the Centers for Disease Control, the physical and mental health costs of domestic violence come to more than $4 billion annually-$5.8 billion when lost productivity is factored in. • Annual health care costs for women who

were abused years ago are 19 percent higher than for other women, even after the abuse has ended. It is important to know that something can be done to help prevent this tragedy if everyone takes domestic violence seriously. Anyone subjected to it should realize that he or she is not alone. There is support in the community. Take action to keep yourself and your children safe. Find someone to help you with your feelings. Don’t be afraid to take legal action if necessary. Call a friend. Call the police. You can also reach out to a number of organizations: Where To Get Help • National Domestic Violence Hotline; (800) 799-SAFE or (800) 799-7233; www.ndvh. org • Family Violence Prevention Fund: www. endabuse.org • National Women’s Health Information Center: www.4woman. gov/violence/types/dating.cfm • National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: www. loveisrespect.org • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.choose respect.org • Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): (800) 656-HOPE or (800) 6564673; www.rainn.org.

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Alcohol & Energy Drinks: Bigger Than Ever Source: The Coalition of Angelina County

Energy Drinks: Bigger Than Ever In the past few years, there has been a lot of publicity and raised awareness of alcoholic energy drinks. Popular brands like Sparks, Rock Star and Tilt faced scrutiny for mixing extreme amounts of caffeine with alcohol, a dangerous combination for anyone. Their tasty flavors, misleading marketing, and inexpensive prices make them a perfect product for an underage audience. James Mosher, JD, of Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation said “Alcohol producers are taking advantage of the popularity of nonalcoholic energy drinks to sell their products to youth.” Parents, law enforcement officials, politicians and retailers were educated about these new products and learned to look more closely at what kids were drinking. Unfortunately a parent’s job is never simple. New products are

on the shelves with new logos and harder to read packaging splashed with bright colors. Four Loko, one of the latest in the line of alcoholic energy drinks, has a bright camouflage can and comes in flavors like watermelon, fruit punch, blue raspberry and lemonade. It is also larger than previous alcoholic energy drinks, coming in a 23.5 ounce can with 12% alcohol content as compared to the 16 ounce cans with 6-7% alcohol content. Other brands like Max and Jungle Joose have also adopted these larger quantity cans with higher alcohol content. So what does this mean for those who drink them? Well, in one drink they can ingest roughly 12 cokes and 4 beers! Deceptively advertised as energy cocktails, they offer to give drinkers the energy to “go all night” without stating the possible consequences such as alcohol poisoning.

Parents, always be aware of what your kids are drinking. Don’t be afraid to look more closely at each product, often times the words “alcoholic beverage” are discreet and easy to miss. Be on the lookout for nutrition labels – alcoholic drinks will NOT have one. Be aware of the health risks involved. Mixing stimulants and alcohol can result in being “wide awake drunk” – a feeling of alertness while intoxicated. This can lead people to engage in risky behavior because they are unaware of their intoxication level. Join The Coalition. The Coalition is made up of concerned parents and community members like yourself. Together, we can all make a difference and provide a safer environment for our children. Call (936) 634-9308 to find out more or log on to: www.angelinacoalition.org.

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Protecting Children From Poisoning

ost people regard their homes as safe places. However, most accidents involving children, especially accidental poisoning, occur in the child’s home. Children like to imitate their parents. Babies who watch their parents take medications may want to do it too. A few precautions can prevent a fatal accident. *Always close bottles after taking medications. *Use child resistant bottles and packaging. Remember, they are child resistant, not childproof. *Keep medications in the original containers, preventing confusion. *Keep all medications out of the reach and sight of children. *Follow directions carefully to avoid accidental overdoses. *Baby vitamins look and taste like candy. If the vitamin has an iron supplement, as few as five can be deadly to your child. Remember: *When buying art supplies for children, be sure they are safe for children. *Never use cups, soft drinks bottles or milk cartons to store leftover paint, paint thinner or

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cleaning products. *Keep mouthwashes, aftershave lotions and perfumes out of children’s reach. Children are very sensitive to the toxic effects of the alcohol contained in these products. *Check your garage, utility room, kitchen and bathroom for toxic items. Antifreeze, windshield washing fluids, gasoline and cleaning compounds are deadly when taken internally. *Know if your plants are poisonous and keep them out of reach of children. If you suspect poisoning: Remain calm. *Call your local poison control center at 1-800-POISON-1 or your doctor. Keep these numbers near your telephone. *For household products, follow the first-aid instructions on the label and then call the poison control center or doctor*Be prepared to give the child’s age, height, weight any existing health problems and what your child ate or drank.

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Kids And Canines

and slowly walk away with your arms by your side. dog’s wagging tail and soft, fl uffy ears can Do not scream, stare into his eyes or run away. be as irresistible as the forbidden cookie jar to a child. But while the family pet is tolerant and Visit www.akc.org for more information. patient with your child, other dogs may not be. The American Kennel Club advises parents to teach their young children how to treat all animals with care and consideration, and how to steer clear of potentially dangerous situations. What Kids Need To Know: Always ask a dog’s owner if you may pet the dog. Some dogs shouldn’t be touched. Approach a dog from the front or side-not from behind. Hold your hands low and speak softly. Do not surprise a dog, force him into a corner, wave your hands or scream at him. Dogs may get defensive at the food dish. Don’t interfere when a dog is eating and never put your Children should always ask the owner’s hands between a dog’s mouth and his bowl. permission before touching a dog. Some dogs are very protective of their balls or chew toys. Never take a bone or toy from a dog’s mouth unless he’s trained to drop it or give it to you. Avoid teasing, rough wrestling, or tug-of-war games. Dogs may get too Kitchen and Catering enthusiastic and forget you are not a dog. Fetch, frisbee and agility are better outlets for your dog’s energy. Respect a dog’s space. Dogs naturally defend their territories. Do not stick your hand inside a strange dog’s crate or car window. Never try to break up a dogfight. Trying to separate fi ghting dogs may make them more excited, and they might turn on you or accidentally bite you. Call an adult for help. Observe canine body language. Beware of a dog that is barking, growling or showing his teeth. Stay 402 E RUSK ST - JACKSONVILLE, TX. away if his ears are back or CORNER OF HWY. 69 AND RUSK ST his hair is standing up on PHONE: 903.589.0866 CATERING his back. Say “NO” fi rmly

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