New Nebraska Law Requires Boating Safety Course
Boaters in Nebraska should be aware of a new law that took effect in January requiring boaters to complete a safety course. A person born in 1986 or after is now required to complete a boating safety course before operating a boat in the State. Courses are offered through Nebraska Game and Parks and can be taken in-person or through a self-study program. Source: NE Dept. of Health & Human Services

Target Recalls LED Flashlight Sets Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
In cooperation with Target Corporation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of 6-piece LED flighlight sets solt October 2010 through December 2011. When turned on, the flashlights can heat up, smoke or melt, posing fire and burn hazards. Read more.
Source: US Consumer Product Safety Commission (1-19-2012)

 
CDC Campaign Launched to Prevent Children from Unintentional Access to Medicines in the Home
In December, the CDC launched Up and Way and Out of Sight, a program to educate families about the importance of safe medicine storage. In the U.S. each year, more than 60,000 children are treated in emergency rooms because they got into medicines when a caregiver was not looking. The key messages of Ensure Safety, Take Action, and Build Knowledge aim to reduce the incidence of this extremely dangerous event. The project Web site provides numerous resources for parents that can be incorporated into existing or new programs including a pledge campaign for parents.
Source: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Injury Prevention and Control Program (1-19-2012)

Coin-Size Batteries May Be Hazardous
The gadgets you buy as gifts this year could injure your children!   Inside mini remote controls, small calculators, watches,key fobs, flameless candles, singing greeting cards and other electronics, may be a very powerful coin-sized button battery.  Safe Kids USA has partnered with Energizer to create an awareness campaign we’re calling The Battery Controlled. 

Swallowing 20 mm coin-size lithium batteries can be very dangerous to children. When a coin-sized battery gets stuck in a child’s throat, saliva triggers an electrical current which may create a chemical reaction that can severely burn the esophagus, leading to painful injuries and even death.  Learn how to protect your children from battery burns.
Source: Safety Works USA, Nov. 2011