Category: Safe Communities Corner

Having a fire extinguisher on hand is one of the best defenses in protecting your home from a significant amount of damage in the event of a fire. If you watched the video we posted last week, you could see just how precious minutes are when it comes to responding to a fire. Having a portable fire extinguisher on hand could mean the difference between a little burn mark on a couch and the total loss of a home. It's estimated that 80% of fire incidents can be handled with the kind of fire extinguisher available to the public. If…

Last week we touched on how to prevent fires in your home and important items to have on hand to alert you to a fire quickly and to contain a small fire. Trying to contain a fire yourself, however, is not always a good idea. We were able to sit down with Fort Dodge Fire Chief Matt Price this week and he stressed the importance of getting out of your home and calling 911 before a fire gets out of hand.Most homes are full of synthetic materials. These materials are particularly concerning should a fire start near them. Click here…

When it comes to fires, you want to "hope for the best, but plan for the worst."  75% of housefires are preventable with some simple steps. To safeguard your home from fires, first and foremost, you want to make sure that you have functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of the house. Along with regularly checking these devices, check appliance cords to ensure they are in good working order and not overloaded. When cooking it is important to not leave your culinary masterpiece unattended. Make sure that the cooking surfaces are clean and free of clutter, especially…

The idea behind Mental Health Awareness Month is to take away some of the stigma that exists when we talk about mental health. The stigma centers, not just around people with mental health issues and the impact it can have on individuals and communities, but also on being able to admit when help is needed to get through a challenging time in life, one which might have a significant impact on long term mental health.While some of us cannot imagine why someone would have an issue talking to a therapist or licensed professional, there are others who still see it…

There is a very wide spectrum when it comes to mental health issues. Under the umbrella of mental health you can see anything from schizophrenia to seasonal depression. We are by no means medical professionals, so let me say, first and foremost, that if you or someone you love is dealing with a severe mental illness, please seek professional help.That said, many of us, at some point in our lives, deal with things like depression or anxiety. We all deal with it in a variety of ways, some healthy and some, not so much. How we chose to cope when…

Did you know that half of the global population will experience mental illness at some point in their lives? May is dedicated to mental health awareness in the hopes of overcoming the stigma and to encourage those who suffer with it to step forward and get the help they need.The vast majority of mental health issues are anxiety and depression, accounting for 66% of illnesses. 1 in 20 adults in the United States suffer from serious mental illnesses. These are defined as severe mental behavioral, or emotional disorders that significantly impair a person's ability to function in daily life. While…

If you have children, think back to the first time you held your little bundle. Most likely, you remember very well the moment your eyes met and you realized that this little person was yours. If you were like me, the overwhelming joy was quickly dashed by a moment of panic. "I'm totally responsible for this little person's life!"That feeling is completely normal, but sometimes that panic comes from a place of valid concern. If you didn't have a great example of what parenthood should look like in your own life you might be worried that you are destined to…

Hindsight is always 20/20. Any person who has walked this heartbreaking journey with a child can tell you that this is a phrase that haunts them. Once the abuse is brought to light, phrases like "I knew something wasn't right," "It all makes sense now," "How did I miss that," "If I would have said something sooner..." all become the self-talk that adds to the hurdles they must overcome to find healing for everyone involved. Physical abuse accounts for just over 18% of all the maltreated children in the U.S. 8.6% of those children are sexually abused. Of the children who…

Substance abuse is on the rise all across  America and beyond. The opioid epidemic, in particular, has seen a dramatic increase over the past 10 years. Drug abuse has many devastating effects, but none more than the impact it has on children.When it comes to classifying abuse involving substances, there are two categories. The first occurs when illegal drugs are found in a child's body. This can happen at birth from a mother ingesting drugs during the pregnancy or in young children having been exposed to the narcotics enough for them to get into their system. The second classification involves…

Abuse in the form of neglect is defined as the failure of a parent or caretaker to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision when no physical injury to the child has occurred. Neglect is also considered the form of abuse when substances are found in a child's system. Across the nation, Iowa is no exception, this is by far the most common form of child abuse, accounting for over 75% of confirmed cases. Sadly, is it the children whose very survival depends on the care they receive who are most at risk, children under 3 years old.When…