CLEARFIELD – Spring is here and nice days will allow children to play outside for the first time in a long time! They may be overly excited and slightly careless as they are finally free to be out in the sunshine.
Bicycles are a source of travel for many children and fun for others. Each year, approximately 500,000 people are non-fatally injured while riding a bicycle. Ninety percent of bicyclists killed reportedly do not wear helmets. Always wear a properly fitting helmet when cycling. The head or neck is the most seriously injured part of the body in most fatally injured cyclists. Children should wear a helmet even if they are still riding along the sidewalk on training wheels or a tricycle.
Adults should also wear helmets at all times, including when riding with children.
Be sure that helmets meet standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Snell Memorial Foundation or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Look for a label or a sticker on the box or inside the helmet indicating that it meets the above standards.
Some other bicycle safety tips include:
• Wear closed shoes when riding a bike.
• Make sure your bike and your child’s bike have good brakes, a front light and effective reflecting material.
• Ride only in safe areas and at safe times.
• Make sure bikes are the correct size for the rider.
• Learn about bicycle etiquette, laws, and safe riding practices and teach your children about them.
Older children should be alert to the antics of youngsters. Learn to provide the best solution if they become involved in a problem.
Making thoughtful decisions is one of the building blocks of becoming a leader. Whether you’re babysitting, preparing to become a lifeguard, or just hanging out with friends, it’s important to think about the consequences of your decisions before you make them. Use the FIND decision-making model to help you decide what to do.
Step 1: Figure out the problem. What do you have to decide? Make sure you focus on the exact problem that is causing trouble.
Step 2: Identify solutions. What are your choices? Think about all the possible ways you could solve the problem.
Step 3: Name the pros and cons of each choice. Think about the pros and cons of each way to solve the problem.
Step 4: Decide which the best choice is, then act on it.
The ability to make good decisions takes a lot of practice. The Red Cross Babysitter training is specially designed to help young people develop and practice decision-making skills. Courses are scheduled upon request. Call the office for more information.
Something new this year! “Brighten Someone’s Day” with a bunch of colorful daisies for Administrative Professional’s Day. $7.00 per bunch delivered on April 25, 2007. Order some for your secretary, your wife, your mother or to just brighten your home. Order deadline April 19, 2007. Call the office at 765-5516 to order.
The will be a Red Cross Auction at the St. Charles Cafe on April 21, 2007. Preview and hors d’oeuvres at 5:00, auction begins at 7:00. Handcrafted specialty items, quilts, stained glass art, antiques, retired Longaberger Baskets, 2- One night stays at Frogtown Acres Bed & Breakfast in Paradise, PA, signed limited edition prints, local artist paintings, and sports items are just a few of the items available. Tickets are $12.00 and available at the Red Cross office.
Anyone wishing to donate a new item, antique or handcrafted specialty item to help with this event can contact the office at 765-5516.
The Clearfield Red Cross office is still located at 309 West Locust St. in Clearfield. An open house and an anniversary celebration are being planned.
Health & Safety Classes:
A CPR for the Professional Rescuer Course for lifeguards will be held on April 14, 2007 at the Red Cross office beginning at 9:00 am. This will include a review of changes to Cardiac guidelines and an updated book must be purchased. Call 765-5516 to register.
Adult CPR – Clearfield – April 4 and 18, 2007
Brookville – April 4, 2007
Punxsutawney – April 2, 2007
Infant Child CPR – Clearfield – April 5, 2007
First Aid – Clearfield – April 19, 2007
Brookville – April 5, 2007
Punxsutawney – April 3, 2007
All of the above classes begin at 6:00 pm. Call 765-5516 to register in Clearfield or 849-2712 to register in Brookville & Punxsutawney.
Clearfield Bloodmobile Schedule
Friday, April 6 438 Front Place 12:00-6:00
Monday, April 9 Curwensville United Methodist Church 12:00-6:00
Wednesday, April 11 Lake StreUUnited Methodist Church-Woodland 12:00-6:00
Friday, April 20 438 Front Place 12:00-6:00
Jefferson Bloodmobile Schedule
Wed. April 11 Brockway Fire Hall Noon -6 PM
Thursday, April 12 Evangelical United Methodist Church-Brookville Noon -6 PM
Friday, April 13 War Memorial-Big Run Noon -6 PM
Tuesday, April 17 Saints Cosmos & Damian Church-Punxsutawney Noon -6 PM
The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization. Although the government mandates us to provide certain emergency disaster services, they provide no funding. We are there to provide immediate emergency assistance in times of disaster with YOUR help! Your donation can put your care and concern into action as a general donation, a memorial donation or a donation made in Honor of a person or event. Please support your American Red Cross.
Checks may be sent to Clearfield-Jefferson Chapter, 309 W. Locust St., Clearfield, Pa 16830, or Clearfield-Jefferson Chapter, 275 Main St., Brookville, Pa 15825.
VISA and MasterCard are accepted.
Red Cross is a United Way and United Fund Participating Agency and an RSVP Station.