SUMMER WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
Submitted by Cherrie Crowell
Severe heat may cause illness or even death. When temperatures rise to extreme highs, reduce risks by taking the following precautions:
Hot weather precautions to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
■ Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned envi ronment as much as possible unless you‘re sure your body has a high tolerance for heat.
■ Drink plenty of fluids but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar.
■ Eat more frequently but make sure meals are balanced and light.
■ Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle.
■ Avoid dressing babies in heavy clothing or wrapping them in warm blankets.
■ Check frequently on people who are elderly, ill or who may need help. If you might need help, arrange to have family, friends or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods.
■ Make sure pets have plenty of water.
■ Salt tablets should only be taken if specified by your doctor. If you are on a salt-re strictive diet, check with a doctor before increasing salt intake.
■ If you take prescription diuretics, antihista-mines, mood-altering or antispasmodic drugs, check with a doctor about the effects of sun and heat exposure.
■ Cover windows that receive morning or af ternoon sun. Awnings or louvers can reduce the heat entering a house by as much as 80 percent.
If you go outside
■ Plan strenuous outdoor activities for early or late in the day when temperatures are cooler; then gradually build up tolerance for warmer conditions.
■ Take frequent breaks when working out doors.
■ Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sun block and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes when out doors.
■ At first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nau sea, headaches, muscle cramps), move to a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool Beverage. Seek medical attention immediately if you do not feel bet ter.
■ Avoid sunburn: it slows the skin‘s ability to cool itself. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.
■ Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly or very young peo-ple. If the power goes out or air conditioning is not available.
■ If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.
■ Ask your doctor about any prescription medicine you keep refrigerated. (If the power goes out, most medicine will be fine to leave in a closed refrigerator for at least three hours.)
■ Keep a few bottles of water in your freezer; if the power goes out, move them to your refrigerator and keep the doors shut.
WEST NILE VIRUS
With warm weather approaching (hopefully soon) we need to remember that the threat of West Nile Virus is still here with the ever present mosquito population.
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus can be a serious, even fatal, illness. It can affect people, horses, certain types of birds and other animals. West Nile virus first appeared in the United States in 1999. In 2002, the virus was found for the first time in birds and horses in Wash-ington.
How is it spread?
West Nile virus is almost always spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes be-come infected after feeding on birds that carry the virus. There is no evidence that West Nile virus can be spread by direct contact with infected people or animals.
Who is at Risk?
The risk of getting West Nile virus is very low, but anyone can become infected. People over 50 years of age have the highest risk of serious illness.
What are the symptoms?
Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not get sick. About 1 in 5 people infected will have mild symptoms such as fever, headache and body aches. Even fewer, about 1 in 150 people in-fected, will have more severe symptoms. Severe symptoms may include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convul-sions, muscle weakness, paralysis and coma. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.
How can I protect myself?
There is no human vaccine for West Nile virus. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to avoid mosquito bites and reduce the places mos-quitoes live and breed around your home. Take these steps:
Avoid mosquito bites
● Make sure windows and doors are ―bug tight.‖ Repair or replace screens.
● Stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mos-quitoes are the most active.
● Wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants and a hat when going into mosquito-infested areas such as wetlands or woods.
● Use mosquito repellent when necessary. Read the label and carefully follow instruc-tions. Take special care when using repellent on children. Mosquito repellents that contain the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are the most effec-tive for offering long-lasting protection against mosquito bites.
Don’t give mosquitoes a home
● Empty or throw away anything that holds standing water—bottles, cans, old tires, buckets, plastic covers and toys.
● Change water in your birdbaths, fountains, wading pools and animal troughs at least twice each week.
● Make sure roof gutters drain properly; and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
● Fix leaky outdoor faucets and sprinklers.
Understanding Teen Dating Violence
Submitted by Teresa Swope
Dating violence is a type of intimate partner violence. It occurs between two people in a close relationship.
There are three common types of dating violence:
Physical—This occurs when a partner is pinched, hit, shoved or kicked.
Emotional—This means threatening a partner or harming his or her sense of self-worth. Examples include name calling, teasing, threats, bullying, or keeping him/her away from friends and family.
Sexual—This is forcing a partner to engage in a sex act when he or she does not or cannot consent.
Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Dating violence often starts with teasing and name calling. These behaviors are often thought to be a “normal” part of a relationship. But these behaviors can lead to more serious violence like physical assault and rape.
Why is dating violence a public health problem?
Dating violence is a serious problem in the United States. Many teens do not report it because they are afraid to tell friends and family.
~72% of 8th and 9th graders reportedly “date”. 1 in 4 adolescents reports verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse from a dating partner each year.
~About 10% of students nationwide report being physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past 12 months.
How does dating violence affect health?
Dating violence has a negative effect on health throughout life. Teens who are victims are more likely to do poorly in school. They may engage in unhealthy behaviors, like drug and alcohol use. The anger and stress that victims feel may lead to eating disorders and depression. Some teens even think about or attempt suicide. Victims may also carry the patterns of violence into future relationships. Physically abused teens are three times more likely than their non-abused peers to experience violence during college.
Who is at risk for dating violence?
Studies show that people who harm their dating partners are more depressed, have lower self esteem, and are more aggressive than peers. Other warning signs for dating violence include:
•Use of threats or violence to solve problems
•Alcohol or drug use
•Inability to manage anger or frustration
•Poor social skills
•As Problems at school association with violent
friends
•Lack of parental supervision, support, or discipline
•Witnessing abuse at home
How can we prevent dating violence?
The ultimate goal is to stop dating violence before it starts. Strategies that promote healthy relationships are vital. During the preteen and teen years, young people relationships with others. This is an ideal time to promote healthy relationships and prevent patterns of dating violence that can last into adulthood. Prevention programs change the attitudes and behaviors linked with dating violence. One example is Safe Dates, a school-based program that is designed to change social norms and improve problem-solving skills.
How does CDC approach prevention?
CDC uses a 4-step approach to address public health problems like dating violence.
Step 1: Define the problem
Before we can prevent dating violence, we need to know how big the problem is, where it is, and whom it affects. CDC learns about a problem by gathering and studying data. These data are critical because they help decision makers send resources where they are needed most.
Step 2: Identify risk and protective factors
It is not enough to know that dating violence is affecting a certain group of people in a certain area. We also need to know why. CDC conducts and supports research to answer this question. We can then develop programs to reduce or get rid of risk factors.
Step 3: Develop and test prevention strategies
Using information gathered in research, CDC develops and evaluates strategies to prevent violence.
Step 4: Assure widespread adoption
In this final step, CDC shares the best prevention strategies. CDC may also provide funding or technical help so communities can adopt these strategies. For a list of CDC activities, see Preventing Violence Against Women: Program Activities Guide (www.cdc.gov/are learning skills they need to form positivencipc/dvp/vawguide.htm).
Where can I learn more?
Choose Respect Initiative www.chooserespect.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline1-800-799- SAFE (7233)
National Sexual Assault Hotline1-800-656- HOPE (4673)
National Sexual Violence Resource Centerwww. nsvrc.org
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Centerwww.safeyouth.org
References
1. Foshee VA, Linder GF, Bauman KE, et al. The
Safe Datesproject: theoretical basis, evaluation
design, and selected baselinefindings. American
Journal of Preventive Medicine 1996;12(Suppl
2):39–47. 2. Avery-Leaf S, Cascardi M, O’Leary KD, Cano A. Efficacy of adating violence prevention program on attitudes justifying aggression. Journal of Adolescent Health 1997;21:11–7.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance—United States, 2007. MMWR2008;57(No.SS#4).
4. Smith PH, White JW, Holland LJ. A longitudinal perspective on using information gathered in research, CDC developsdating violence among adolescent and college-age women.and evaluates strategies to prevent violence.American Journal of Public Health. 2003;93(7):1104–9.
For more information, please contact:Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNational Center for Injury Prevention and Control 1-800-CDC-INFO • www.cdc.gov/injury • cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Submitted by Teresa Swope
Did you know that teens spend an average of 6.5 hours a day consuming some kind of media? And these days, with TV shows, movies, magazines, and basically everything we look at saturated with images of impossibly gorgeous girls and ridiculously buff guys, it can be no mean feat to develop a positive and realistic self-image.
But before you can even think about starting to get to know someone else, doesn't it make sense to get to know yourself? Having self confidence is the first step in helping to make your future relationships healthy and long-lasting. This section offers some important ideas for getting (and keeping!) your confidence up.
Associate with positive, supportive people. If your friends are constantly down on themselves (or you), how can you keep a good attitude?
Stop comparing yourself to others. Yeah, she might have a gorgeous new car and he might be getting straight A's, but do you know what's going on behind the scenes in their lives? You rarely know the full story about someone else, so don't assume that you're worse off, unluckier, less gifted than they are.
Stop putting yourself down. Most people say things to themselves that they would NEVER let a stranger (or even a close friend) say to them. You should be your biggest advocate, not your biggest critic. One of the most important aspects of your personality - and one that impacts how self confident you are - is your maturity level. Maturity inspires patience, tolerance, and a genuine willingness to work out problems that might develop - key ingredients to a successful and healthy relationship. People at different levels of maturity with a variety of personalities find themselves attracted to different types of people. Being aware of your maturity level can be a huge help with developing a healthy relationship.
BOTTOM LINE
Do you have a clear idea of your personality? Of your goals, likes, dislikes, interests, values, wants, and needs? Personality characteristics tend to be fairly stable over time, but sometimes the many dimensions of our personality remain hidden to us until we are challenged by new experiences. If you haven't considered these things - you might not be ready to enter into a healthy relationship. If you don't know yourself, you're probably not ready to truly know anyone else.
FEELING A LITTLE SINGLED OUT?
You may feel like you're ready to be in a relationship, but have you really thought about it? I mean really? Getting to know yourself is the first step to take before getting to know someone else - remember, everything you do today will contribute to helping you be ready for your future partner. New-agey stuff aside, how do you start working on a "better you"? It's not as hard as you think...Start by asking yourself some simple questions (but be honest with how you answer):
Do I know who I am and what I want in a relationship?
Do I have the time and energy to give to another person?
Am I willing to listen when my partner wants to discuss something - even if it means not watching my favorite show or missing a chance to hang out with friends?
Do I want my partner to spend every free second with me?
Do I want to help my partner feel secure and comfortable regardless of the situation we're in?
Can I handle problems and make safe, responsible decisions?
Can I stand up for my values and beliefs, even if my partner disagrees?
Am I able to keep promises and things told to me in confidence?
Does the idea of my partner having friends of the opposite sex make me nervous?
Can I/ do I want to prioritize someone else's needs above my own?
Am I feeling pressured to be in a relationship just because everyone else is in one?
Am I ready to share my thoughts, feelings, and emotions with another person?
These are just a few ideas of ways that you can look inside and get to know yourself better. What are some other questions that you should consider before you're ready to be in a relationship? Email us! Already part of a couple? Visit the Coupled Up page for advice and other great information for keeping yourself and your partner happy.
BOTTOM LINE
The ability to experience close friendships is often the first step toward understanding more significant relationships later in life. If you're not in a relationship, take this time both to better understand yourself and to build your friendships. Opening yourself up to another person and feeling comfortable with others begins with feeling good about who you are as a person. This means having a positive but realistic idea of the character qualities and skills you bring into a relationship.
BREAKING UP
Changes in communication, lots of conflict, a decrease in the amount of time you spend together, and, of course, physical or emotional abuse are all reasons to end a relationship. You might also find that your - or your partners' - goals or interests, emotional involvement, or expectations change. Sometimes, even though a relationship is clearly unhealthy, partners would rather stay together and be miserable than break up and be "alone". This is a huge pitfall to consider when you're dating - staying with your partner simply to avoid being alone can be extremely unhealthy and rarely helps you to grow or gives you the true satisfaction that you deserve in a relationship.
One of the toughest things to go through is a break up - especially if you’re the one getting dumped. Suddenly, homeroom - the place you've been every morning for how many months? - is awkward and strange, the McDonald's around the corner is painful to see, and forget those two classes you share. Before they were the highlight of your day...now it's almost impossible to sit through five minutes. Unfortunately, this "getting re-used to things" is a part of the break up that, while painful, is very necessary. Even though meeting new people may seem about as fun as a root canal, new relationships will develop in time.
BOTTOM LINE
Breaking up with someone is never easy... but it's also probably not the hardest thing you'll go through. Lean on your family, your friends, and your hobbies during the tougher times - you'd be surprised how much it'll help to talk to people who love and care for you or to distract yourself with books, movies, working out, playing sports, etc. It doesn't seem like it now, but remember - this feeling won't last forever.
©2009, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
Article obtained from the stayteen.org website.
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Today's parents/caregivers must face the very real possibility that someone may hurt or take advantage of their child. Teaching children personal safety skills is one of the best defenses against their being victimized. Another defense is giving children the message it is OK to speak to a trusted adult about ANY situation that makes them feel uncomfortable.
Key topics to cover are:
• The difference between safe and unsafe touches or secrets
• Proper names for children's body parts so they can communicate with you and others
• The difference between "safe" and "unsafe" adults -- Remember that strangers are not the only unsafe adults in a child's life
• It is OK to say "no" to any activity that feels uncomfortable
• Why their body belongs to them
• How to tell an adult when someone or something has happened to make them feel bad
• It is not their fault if they are sexually abused
When leaving a child with a caregiver, be sure to first ask the right questions:
• Does the facility and its staff and/or caretakers have a good reputation?
• Are the facility and staff safe for my child or children?
• Is the daycare or other social service agency licensed and accredited?
• Is the staff required to complete criminal background checks?
• Has the staff been trained in age-appropriate activities and care giving techniques?
• Is this a safe, child appropriate environment?
• Has the staff been trained to recognize child sexual abuse symptoms in children?
• How well do I know the people my child will be staying with?
• Does the facility have a policy where children are always in the company of two adults?
• Does the facility have a policy about helping your child use the restroom?
• Has the staff been trained in child safety skills?
And be very aware of your child's behavior...
• Does my child come home from the care providers happy and content or angry and withdrawn?
• Does my child willingly go to the care provider or does he or she act afraid?
• Has my child's behavior changed since the caretaker came into his/her life?
I am hoping time will bring us together openly talking about sexual abuse and that we as a community come together to bring the healing so many of us need. Unified in the goal to have a happy, healthy and safe families; an end to the invalidation so many have suffer in our community. We can beat this and we don’t have to destroy families to do so. There is so much to be done yet and we can do it together without destroying our families.
With Love & Respect for you and yours,
Cecelia Williams 360-204-0224
10 THINGS MEN CAN DO TO PREVENT GENDER VIOLENCE
Submitted by Teresa Swope
1. Approach gender violence as a MEN’S issue involving men of all ages and socioeconomic, racial and ethic backgrounds. View men not only as perpetrators or possible offenders, but as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers.
2. If a brother, friend, classmate, or teammate is abusing his female partner—or is disrespectful or abusive to girls and women in general—don’t look the other way. If you feel comfortable doing so, try to talk to him about it. Urge him to seek help. Or if you don’t know what to do, consult a friend, a parent, a professor or a counselor. DON’T REMAIN SILENT.
3. Have the courage to look inward. Question your own attitudes. Don’t be defensive when something you do or say ends up hurting someone else. Try hard to understand how your own attitudes and actions might inadvertently perpetuate sexism and violence and work toward changing them.
4. If you suspect that a woman close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help.
5. If you are emotionally, psychologically, physically, or sexually abusive to women, or have been in the past, seek professional help NOW.
6. Be an ally to women who are working to end all forms of gender violence. Support the work of campus-based women’s centers. Attend “take back the Night” rallies and other public events. Raise money for community-based rape crises centers and battered women’s shelters. If you belong to a team or fraternity, or another student group, organize a fundraiser.
7. Recognize and speak out against homophobia and gay-bashing. Discrimination and violence against lesbians and gays are wrong in and of themselves. This abuse also has direct links to sexism (e.g. the sexual orientation of men who speak out against sexism is often questioned, a conscious or unconscious strategy intended to silence them. This is a key reason few men do speak out).
8. Attend programs, take courses, watch films and read articles and books about multicultural masculinities, gender inequality and the root causes of gender violence. Educate yourself and others about how larger social forces affect the conflicts between individual men and women.
9. Don’t fund sexism. Refuse to purchase any magazine, rent any video, subscribe to any web site, or buy any music that portrays girls or women in a sexually degrading or abusive manner. Protest sexism in the media.
10. Mentor and teach young boys about how to be men in ways that don’t involve degrading or abusing girls or women. Volunteer to work with gender violence prevention programs. Including anti-sexist men’s programs. Lead by example.
This list was produced by MVP strategies, a gender prevention, education and training organization.
Email : MVPStraties@aol.com
Facts About Alcohol Abuse & Domestic Violence
Battering is a socially learned behavior, and is not the result of substance abuse or mental illness. Men who batter frequently use alcohol abuse as an excuse for their violence. They attempt to rid themselves of responsibility for the problem by blaming in on the effects of alcohol. Many men who batter do not drink heavily and many alcoholics do not beat their wives. Walker’s (1984) study of 400 battered women found that 67% of batterers frequently abused alcohol; however, only one fifth had abused alcohol during all four battering incidents on which data were collected. The study also revealed a high rate of alcohol abuse among non-batterers. In one batterers program, 80% of the men had abused alcohol at the time of the latest battering incident. The vast majority of men, however, also reportedly battered their partner when not under the influence of alcohol. Date on the concurrence of domestic violence and alcohol abuse vary widely, from as low as 25% to as high as 80% of cases.
• Alcoholism and battering do share some similar characteristics, including:
• both may be passed from generation to generation
• both involve denial or minimization of the problem
• both involve isolation of the family
A battering incident that is coupled with alcohol abuse may be more severe and result in greater injury. Alcoholism treatment does not “cure” battering behavior, both problems must be addressed separately. However, provisions for the women’s safety must take precedence. A small percent (1%-14%) of battered women have alcohol abuse problems which is no more than that found in the general female population. A woman’s substance abuse problems do not relate to the cause of her abuse, although some women may turn to alcohol and other drugs in response to the abuse. To become independent and live free from violence women should receive assistance for substance abuse problems in addition to other supportive services. Men living with women who have alcohol problems often try to justify their violence as a way to control them when they’re drunk. A woman’s failure to remain substance free is never an excuse for the abuser’s violence.
Information supplied by : National Woman Abuse Prevention Project
The Continued Importance of The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Submitted by Teresa Swope
Suquamish Tribe Sexual Assault Services
Hello again to my community!
Just a quick note to remind you of my services and what I offer through the program. I advocate for victims/ survivors obtaining needed services and resources. I also am able to attend medical, legal and resource appointments with clients; helping assure their legal rights are protected, they are not alone and they receive the assistance needed to the best of my abilities. I also provide educational trainings, presentations and educational age appropriate materials for children ages 2- 13. I am available to also meet with people 1 on 1, with their children or other groups who may be seeking to better understand sexual abuse, its effects and what we are doing to end it,and how you can better protect your family as well.
I am available 24hrs a day by phone, however I am only contracted part time with the Tribe. I am looking to recruit a couple more volunteers to help with the program and hope to do so in the coming year. For any questions, concerns or curiosities you may have please don’t hesitate to call me. You don’t have to give me a name or meet with me in person and are protected by HIPPA confidentiality law. Feel free to call my cell phone day or night; leave a message if I’m not able to answer right away and I will get back to you ASAP. I am usually around the office 11:45 to 3:30 M-F, and always available by phone.
I hope you had a fabulous, healthy and safe time during our 2009 Canoe Journey Hosting and Chief Seattle Days!
God Bless,
Cece Williams
Suquamish Tribe SA Advocate
360-204-0224 or 360-394-8426
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