Ramsey Resident - 2009 - September/October

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~ Help l(eep your children safe from unintentional injury - the num- ber one l(iller of l(ids - by teaching them safe ways to travel to and from school. Pedestrian injuries are a leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 5 to 14, and the back- to-school season provides a great op- portunity to teach kids common sense safety behavior. Walking to School Choose the safest route and walk it with your children. Lool( for the most direct route with the fewest street crossings. Try to choose routes where school safety patrols will be present. (Checl( with your school if you're not sure.) Children under age 10 should walk with an adult or older child every day because they do not have the necessary skills to judge the speed or distance of oncom- ing traffic. Also, their peripheral vision is 1/3 less than that of adults. Teach children to obey all traffic YOUTH FlRST COMMUNITY OF 'PROMISE Public Safety It's Back to School Time so Let's Talk Safety! signals and marl(ings. Children should be taught the meaning of all traffic marl(ers (for example, a flashing "walk" sign is not an automatic "go" signal). Make sure children lool( to the left, to the right, and to the left again for moving vehicles before crossing the street. Teach children not to enter the street from between parl(ed cars or from behind bushes or shrubs. Darting into the street accounts for a significant number of pedes- trian injuries among children ages nine (9) and under. Because drivers have a more difficult time seeing pedestrians, warn children to be extra alert in bad weather. Be a good role model. Children imitate their parents and model their behavior. Your children need you to tell them and show them how to be safe pedestrians. School Bus Safety An estimated 24 million stu- dents ride school buses daily. Many injuries occur when children are boarding or exiting because a blind spot extends approximately 10 feet around the bus, obstructing the view of the driver. Children are not aware of this blind spot and may mistal(enly believe that if they can see the bus, the bus driver can see them. A child's behavior at the bus stop is an important aspect of school bus safety. While waiting for the bus, l(ids should stay out of the street. After getting off the bus, children should, if walking in front of the bus, cross at least 10 feet in front of it. While on the bus, children should observe the following safety rules: Remain seated at all times and keep the aisles clear. Don't throw objects. Don't shout or distract the driver unnecessar- ily. Keep your head and arms inside the bus at all times. Source: ~~ Safe Kids Worldwide Safe Kidse A.noka COUJlty Annual "Taste of Community" Has Been Scheduled ~ ~R. .....I<A. "R"'" The sixth annual Taste of Com- munity has been scheduled for Tues- day, September 23 at Greenhaven Country Club in Anoka, from 5 :00 - 8:00 pm. You are invited to enjoy a wonderful evening of wine, food, music, and a silent auction to benefit the programs of Andover, Anoka and Ramsey Youth First Community of Promise. The Northern Suburbs offer a variety of exciting ethnic and American restaurants, cafes, coffee houses and dessert shops. Better Values Liquors have brought together a diverse range of wines. Taste wines you've never tried, or enjoy some of your old favorites. Come sample the best food and wine the community has to offer. For more information or tickets, please contact Youth First at 763-421-8530. Tickets are $30 in advance, or $35 at the door. 4 www.ci.ramsey.mn.us