Features,  Health Matters,  Lincoln Park District,  Red Cross,

Events,  Honors & Awards,  Announcements

Health & Fitness News Elsewhere  (fresh daily from the Web)

Features

Child safety seat check

[MARCH 12, 2002]  An important part of the Community Health Fair on March 23 will be a child safety seat check, a way to tell parents whether their children are as safe as possible when riding in the family car.

The safety check will be on the grounds of Lincoln Community High School on Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The health fair itself will be next door, at the Indoor Sports Complex of the Lincoln Park District, also from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dana Brown, director of support services for the Logan County Health Department, along with Sandra Wilmert and Tina Huff, support staff clerks, are in charge of the child safety seat check. All three have attended safety seat training courses in Springfield, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and are certified child passenger safety technicians.

Illinois law requires that every child under the age of 4 must be in an approved car seat, and police can now stop a driver who does not have the child properly restrained even if there is no other traffic violation, Brown said.

During the safety check, Brown and her fellow technicians will ask for the height, weight and age of each child, then check to see if the car seat the child is using is appropriate. They will take the seat out of the car, install it properly, then have the parent or guardian reinstall it to be sure it is being used correctly, Brown said.

They will also show parents how to adjust the harness straps and how to care for the covers of the car seat. While the seat is out of the car, the Health Department staff will also check to be sure it has not been recalled or is not out of date. Normally, Brown said, seats have a five-year life span.

"We don’t encourage anyone to keep a car seat that’s out of date. Parts could wear out and fail," she explained.

They will also recommend what kinds of child safety restraints the family will need in the future and be sure parents understand the instruction manual that comes with each car seat.

To keep a child safe, the car seat must fit properly in the car, must fit the child who is using it properly, and the child must be correctly harnessed in. Not all car seats fit all makes of cars, Brown explained, and she recommends purchasing a car seat at a store that will allow the parent to take the seat out to the car and see if it fits.

The style and the color of the car seat, even the cost, are not the criteria parents should use, she said, but how well it fits the child and the car. Some inexpensive car seats are very safe, she added.

Brown emphasized that children of different ages and sizes need different kinds of safety seats. Tags on the seats will tell the minimum and maximum weight the particular seat is designed for.

[to top of second column in this article]

Children from birth to at least 20 pounds and at least 1 year of age need rear-facing child seats.

Forward-facing child seats are for children over 20 pounds and at least 1 year old up to children who weigh about 40 pounds and are about age 4.

Booster seats are appropriate for children from 40 pounds to 80 pounds and at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Both rear-facing and booster seats are safest if used in the back seat. If they must be used in the front seat, the seat should be as far back as it will go, she said.

Ordinary seat belts are appropriate for older children large enough for the belt to fit correctly; children should be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and weigh at least 80 pounds. Children and young people from 4 to 16 years of age must be secured in either a safety seat of some type or in seat belts.

Brown emphasized that an ordinary seat belt can harm a smaller child. For example, a lap belt must fit below the pelvic area or it may cause injury to the abdominal area. A shoulder belt may cut across the child’s neck area. Child safety seats are designed to protect the chest area of the child, and children who sit in booster seats will also have the chest area protected if they are using harnesses and shoulder/lap belts correctly, she said.

Brown said that three years ago, the Department of Human Services started a program to help people with limited means get car seats for their children. She said in some cases, the Logan County Health Department can help parents get appropriate car seats.

The Health Department also has a number of backless booster seats, donated by the Ford Motor Company, to give away. These booster seats are appropriate for children from 40 to 80 pounds, she said, and the Health Department will donate them to parents whose children fit into them.

Brown encourages parents who want the safety seat checkup to call her ahead of time at the Health Department, 735-2317, to make an appointment, but checks will also be given to those who come without an appointment.

This will be the third year for the car seat safety check to be part of the Community Health Fair, which is sponsored by the Logan County Health Department and the Lincoln Park District. A 4-H club from Mount Pulaski, the Hilltop Horse Club, will be helping the Health Department with the safety check.

Brown urges parents to get the car seat check not just so they won’t get a ticket, but for their own peace of mind. "In case you are in a crash, then you’ll know you’ve done everything you possibly can so that your child won’t be hurt."

[Joan Crabb]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

Logan County health fairs

[MARCH 1, 2002] 

The 16th annual Children’s Health Fair will be at the Lincoln Park District Indoor Sports Complex, 1400 Primm Road, on Friday, March 22, from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Children’s Health Fair is sponsored by Logan County Health Department and Lincoln Park District.

Fifth-grade students from Lincoln and Logan County schools will be brought to the sports complex for two-hour-long segments during the day. Home-schooled fifth-grade students are also invited to attend. The goal of the Children’s Health Fair is to encourage children to learn about health in a way that allows them to play an active part in the learning process. More than 30 agencies will be represented at the fair. The children will receive information about topics such as cancer prevention, exercise, nutrition, hospitals, disabilities, drugs and alcohol, farm safety, personal hygiene, personal safety, and tobacco prevention.

Special new features for 2002 include the debut appearance in Lincoln of the giant 32-foot crime-fighting dog McGruff. This larger-than-life inflatable figure will also be on hand for Saturday’s Community Health Fair.

Also new to this year’s Children’s Health Fair is a rollover simulator provided by the Illinois State Police. The simulator is designed to demonstrate the importance of wearing safety seat belts. Two life-size dummies, an adult and a child, are placed in the truck cab unbelted. To simulate a rollover accident, the cab is mechanically rotated, which causes the dummies to be ejected. The dummies are returned to the cab and secured with safety seat belts. Again the cab is rotated, and the dummies remain safely in the cab.

The students will once again be going through a Heart Adventure Challenge Course. The Heart Adventure Challenge Course teaches children about the heart as they experience traveling through the heart. Students are physically involved in aerobic exercise while navigating the blood’s pathway through the body.

The fifth-graders will conclude their visit to the fair with a presentation by students from Hartsburg-Emden High School about the dangers of smoking. The skit will give the students an opportunity to get information about tobacco prevention via the performing arts.

As in the past, children have been encouraged to make posters before the fair that relate to some aspect of health. Prizes will be awarded, and the posters will be displayed at the fair. The top four winning posters will be on display at restaurants in Lincoln.

[to top of second column in this article]

The theme for this year’s Community Health Fair is "A Healthy You in 2002." The Community Health Fair will be on Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Park District Indoor Sports Complex. Admission is free. Everyone is invited to attend. The Community Health Fair is sponsored by Logan County Health Department and Lincoln Park District.

More than 70 organizations will have displays or health screenings. Guests at the fair will learn new and innovative approaches to wellness and have the opportunity to win door prizes donated by area merchants.

Several health screenings will be offered to the public at the Community Health Fair. People interested in the screenings should plan to arrive early enough to allow time for all the screenings to be done before the fair ends. Fasting is not necessary before the tests.

Screenings offered at no charge are those for blood pressure, by Logan County Health Department; bone density, by Logan County Health Department, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital and Family Medical Center; blood sugar, by Graue Pharmacy; child development from newborn to age 3, by United Cerebral Palsy; height and weight, by Logan County Health Department; pulmonary function, by Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital; and vision, by Logan County Health Department.

In addition, the following screenings are available for a minimal fee: hemoglobin, $1, by Family Medical Center, and cholesterol, $5, by Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

The American Red Cross will conduct a blood bank from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in conjunction with the health fair.

All ages will be treated to plenty of scheduled entertainment during the fair.

At 10 a.m. magician Richard Landry is sure to captivate both children and adults with his magical performance and educational message.

At 11 a.m. Emily Navares and students from Lincoln Park District will be doing a spirited tumbling demonstration.

At 11:30 a.m. Dan Dugan and his students of chito ryu karate will be on hand to entertain you with an enthusiastic demonstration on this self-defense discipline.

Lincoln Community High School Choir will take center stage at noon. Highlighting their performance will be an inspirational salute to America.

At 12:30 p.m. the HYPE puppets will entertain. Lincoln Junior High School’s Helping Youth in a Positive Environment group is making their fourth appearance at the fair.

Sure to add plenty of excitement to the lineup is a 1 p.m. performance by Scott Brown and his students from Lincoln Tae Kwon Do. This popular segment will conclude the day’s entertainment.

Questions about the health fair should be directed to Marcia Dowling at Logan County Health Department, 735-2317, or Marcia Greenslate at Lincoln Park District, 732-8770.

[Logan County Health Department news release]

Lincoln Park District

Lincoln Park District notes

[MARCH 5, 2002] 

The spring session of ceramics kicks off the first week of March.  Scotty Hinman offers several class times to make it convenient for you.  This 12-week session will be our last offering until the fall.  Scotty has a great selection of green ware for you to choose from and is willing to help in any way.

Although the weather does not agree, it is time to play ball!  Registration for baseball (boys) and softball (girls) has already begun.  Representatives of both leagues will be on hand the second and third Saturday of March.  If you have any questions, they will be here from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration will take place in the front lobby.  If Saturday is an inconvenient time for you, you may sign up at the front desk between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  If you need more information, call 732-8770.

Basic Dog Obedience returns for another four-week session.  Classes start Thursday, March 14.  Mike Beiser will be our instructor again.  Mike has been a professional dog trainer for many years.  He currently works with police departments, training officers and their drug dogs.  Handlers should be over 8 years of age.  You will need to provide your dog’s current inoculations records, a choke-chain-type collar, and a 6-foot leash.

[to top of second column in this article]

Lincoln Park District in conjunction with Logan County Health Department is offering the annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The theme this year is "A Healthy You in 2002." This fair promises to be one of the largest in our history.  Not only will there be a vast number of informational booths but many screenings as well.  There will be a minimal charge for some screenings, but many are free.

Hippity-hoppity, Easter is on its way.  The Easter bunny will stop at the park district on Saturday, March 30.  Our special thanks to Maple Ridge Care Centre and the Lincoln Kiwanis for underwriting the cost of this program and supplying the manpower as well.  We begin the egg hunt at 10 a.m. in the 0-2 age division.  Older age divisions start hunting at 15-minute intervals after that.

Finishing touches are being put on our summer programs. The summer brochure should be out in May.  If you have a question about a program we did last year, feel free to call us.  Also, if you have program ideas, don’t hesitate to share them with us. You might even be the next Lincoln Park District class instructor.

[Lincoln Park District news release]

Red Cross

Red Cross blood drives in March

[MARCH 6, 2002]   Two blood drives will be conducted by the American Red Cross in March at the Lincoln Sports Complex.

On Wednesday, March 6, hours will be from noon to 5 p.m. On Saturday, March 23, there will be a blood drive in conjunction with the Community Health Fair, and hours will be 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Appointments may be made by calling (800) 728-3543, but walk-ins are always welcome.

During February, the following people reached goals in their blood donations: David Smith, 12 gallons; Mike FitzHenry, seven; Gene L. Cross, five; Marcia Warner, four; Kirk Dobihal, two; and Carol Ross, one gallon.  

Events

March 2002

Friday, March 22
SPONSOR: Logan County Health Department and Lincoln Park District
WHO: Logan County fifth-graders
WHAT: Children's Health Fair
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex, 1400 Primm Road
WHEN: 8:45 am to 2:30 pm

Saturday, March 23
SPONSOR: Logan County Health Department and Lincoln Park District
WHO: Public
WHAT: Community Health Fair
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex, 1400 Primm Road
WHEN: 9 am to 2 pm

SPONSOR: American Red Cross
WHO: Public
WHAT: Blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: 9 am to 2 pm

Honors & Awards

Announcements

Health care career scholarship applications available

[JAN. 26, 2002]  Applications for the Dwight F. Zimmerman Scholarship, sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, are currently available.

Applicants must be seniors graduating from Lincoln Community High School, Mount Pulaski High School, Olympia High School, Hartsburg-Emden High School, Delavan Community High School or Illini Central High School, or students currently attending Lincoln College.

All applicants who are chosen as finalists to interview with the scholarship selection committee will receive an award to be applied directly toward tuition, fees and books. The two top applicants will receive scholarships of $1,500. Other finalists will be awarded $500 scholarships.

Applications are available in the guidance offices of the above-listed schools. Applications are to be submitted to the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, 315 Eighth St., Lincoln, IL 62656. The deadline to submit an application for the Zimmerman scholarship is April 5. For more information, call the foundation office at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 405.

People wishing to contribute to the scholarship fund may send their contributions to the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, 315 Eighth St., Lincoln, IL 62656.

[News release]

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

Back to top