State health agencies are asked to do a big job. With the advent of an increased focus on bioterrorism preparedness, and the emergence of diseases such as West Nile Virus and SARS, the job is becoming bigger. Yet health agencies still have responsibilities for more traditional concerns, since these problems remain threats to the public. State…

Discusses several accidents which occurred during secondary school science/chemistry laboratory experiments, offering suggestions for conducting safe experiments. Indicates that all experiments should be planned using the safest chemicals and safest reactions illustrating a concept, and that audiovisual aids should be used if no safe experiment is…

Explains the variables involved when stopping a car on various types of pavement, braking schemes and additional concerns. (RT)

This article describes the Mobility Coverage Profile and Safety Index, which allows for computerized quantitative and qualitative evaluation of cane coverage by individuals with blindness. The mobility specialist inputs microcomponents of an individual's cane technique and a defined environmental situation, and the software generates a graphically…

Drowning prevention is a focus of safety professionals nationwide. Many local coalitions provide ongoing activities and can give advice on how to get started. The article describes different community drowning prevention programs, looks at various resources, and explains how to begin and maintain local drowning prevention programs. (SM)

Explains that school safety requires planning that includes everyone in the school assessing all safety issues, such as incidents of violence to students, teachers, and administration; vandalism; and building hazards. Also recommended is development of an inclusive safety plan based on survey results from staff and students. Specific items to…

Fatal motor vehicle crashes per capita remained relatively stable over the 1990s, in spite of new traffic safety laws and vehicle innovations. One explanation for this stability is that the price of gasoline declined, which resulted in more vehicle miles traveled and potentially more fatalities. By using 1983-2000 monthly gasoline price and…

Student safety is an important goal when teaching physically active skills, and school safety standards should be considered as important as the dance content standards for students. More than being complementary, safety standards and content standards are functionally related, because "consistently enforcing safe practices within the…

Designed as a "Participant's Manual" to be used as part of a "Chemical and Mercury Management in Schools Training," this document focuses on the policies and programs needed at the school and district level for safe and sustainable chemical and mercury management practices. This document is designed primarily for school…

The study compared the driving histories, for the first six months and first two years following licensing, of drivers who had received two types of driver training in high school in 197l. The subjects were 1644 drivers who had been trained on multi-vehicle ranges and 1759 who had received the traditional "30 and 6" training (30 hours of classroom…

Describes: (1) demonstrations that have led to serious injury and should not be repeated; (2) demonstrations that are questionable because of the potential for injury; and (3) worldwide demonstrations that should be done, but done with care. Includes nature of potential/actual hazards, procedures used, and reactions involved. (JN)

Noting that firearms outnumber children by a margin of almost three to one in the United States, this report advocates gun safety policies to protect children. The report provides information on trends in youth firearm deaths and finds the statistics alarming, despite recent decline. The first of three tables in the report delineates 1979-1999…

Describes a safety program adopted by Southeastern Louisiana University. Students are given detailed instructions on laboratory safety during the first laboratory period and a test which must be completely correct before they are allowed to return to the laboratory. Test questions, list of safety rules, and a laboratory accident report form are…

Ideas parents can use to instill safe driving habits in teenagers are discussed. Among them are tips for dealing with impatience and traffic congestion, avoiding rollovers, and being alert to other hazards, such as wet brakes, distractions, and driving after drinking. (PP)

The psychological aspects of a child's reaction to major burn injuries include acute emotional reactions resulting from upsetting reactions of family members and unfamiliar hospital surroundings. Emotional and social adjustment problems of severely scarred children are viewed, and suggestions are made as to what health professionals might do to…