Earthquake Safety

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day or night. Forty-five states and territories in the United States are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes, and they are located in every region of the country, including ours.

Many residents were surprised in early September to feel REAL earthquake tremors in our area, including objects falling off the walls, beds shuddering and literally the ground moving beneath their feet.  Reports show a 5.8 earthquake hit northern Oklahoma and was felt over most of the Midwest. Yes, this can happen to us. 

At 10:20 a.m. on October 20, 2016, millions of people will “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, the region’s largest earthquake drill ever.  Everyone is encouraged to participate in the drill wherever you are at 10:20 a.m. on 10/20.

Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you live, work, or travel. The ShakeOut is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves, and for everyone to become prepared. The goal is to prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe for you, your organization, and your community.

So, what are you supposed to do in case of an earthquake?  In a nutshell, “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”

If you are inside when the shaking begins:

Drop, cover and hold on.  Move as little as possible.

If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.

Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.

Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit.  If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage.

If you are outside when the shaking starts:

Find a clear spot and drop to the ground.  Stay there until the shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees and street lights.)

If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible.  Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.  Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.

If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out.  Wait for assistance.

If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. 

Why is a “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill important? To respond quickly you must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocks you down, or something falls on you.

At the very least, have a discussion with your family about what you would do in case of an earthquake.  Remember kids count on adults to know what to do in case of emergency.  Be ready with an answer!

Source: The Great Central US Shakeout and American Red Cross

Health Center to Host Free Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention Classes

Livingston County Health Center has partnered with the Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging to provide Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention classes for seniors 60 and older.   There will be a free demonstration class led by Instructor Micky Bates on Friday, October 21^st at 10 a.m. in the Health Center classroom.

Tai Chi for Arthritis is a low impact, graceful form of exercise using gentle movements that puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it suitable for adults that are age 60 and over. Tai Chi is proven to help reduce the prevalence of falls among and is rated as the highest level evidence-based program for senior adults for health and wellness.

Tai Chi has been proven to improve balance, increase leg strength, improve mobility, increase flexibility, reduce stress, improve posture and reduce the fear of falling.

Weekly one-hour Tai Chi classes begin at the Health Center on November 7th and will be held on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.  

For more information about Tai Chi and the upcoming classes, please contact Micky Bates, NWMOAAA Healthy Living Coordinator, at 816-368-8816, or email mbates@nwmoaaa.org.  Or you may contact Ann Burchett at Livingston County Health Center at 660-646-5506.

This program is funded in part by the United States Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Aging, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and Northwest Missouri Area Agency on Aging.

Health Center Announces CPR/AED Training Monday, October 24th

Livingston County Health Center has announced a CPR/AED Training on Monday, October 24^th in their classroom, located at 800 Adam Drive.   Registration is required, those interested should call the Health Center at 646-5506.

As many as 400,000 people in the US will suffer from cardiac arrest this year. The majority of these individuals will die before even reaching the hospital. It is fact that if more people were trained in CPR, the amount of survivors could double or triple. Statistics show that among the American population, 70% may not even respond during a cardiac arrest emergency because they are uneducated and do not know how to apply the lifesaving techniques of CPR.

The Health Center follows American Heart Association training guidelines. This classroom-based course will train you to be proficient in the use of CPR as well as an AED. If you need to get certified as a workplace or school requirement, then this is most likely the course you need to take.

Space is limited for this training. If you are interested in learning CPR/AED use, please call 646-5506.  If enough interest is shown, more classes may be held in the future.

Missouri's Graduated Drivers License

A lack of behind-the-wheel experience puts new drivers at a higher risk for traffic crashes. The more they practice under supervision, the better they will handle different situations on the road.

The Missouri Graduated Driver License, or GDL law, is the single most effective tool in reducing teen crashes.  Missouri GDL is a three-step licensing system designed to help teen drivers receive education and guidance to help reduce things shown to cause the greatest risk for new drivers.

Some of the highest driving risk factors for teens include driving at night, with multiple passengers, distracted and unbelted.  Parents make the First Impact by limiting exposure to high-risk situations.

It is the hope that acquiring mature driving skills and judgment will be a rewarding and safe experience for both the new driver and their parents.

Missouri's Graduated Driver License law requires that all first-time drivers between 15 and 18 years old complete a period of driving with a licensed driver (instruction permit), and restricted driving (intermediate license), before getting a full driver license.

If the permit holder is under age 16, the licensed driver occupying the seat beside the permit holder for the purpose of giving instruction while driving must be a qualified person, grandparent, qualified driving instructor, or in case of disability (of the parent, grandparent or guardian), their designee.

At age 16, the driver may apply for an intermediate license. The intermediate license allows the driver to drive alone except during a late night curfew (1:00 am to 5:00 am). The driver and passengers must use seat belts, be free of alcohol and drugs, and obey the traffic laws.

At age 18, or within the 30 days immediately preceding his/her 18th birthday, the intermediate license holder may apply for a full driver license.

Definitions

Immediate family shall include parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, stepsisters, and adopted or foster children residing in the driver's household. Parent shall include a foster parent, stepparent or adoptive parent. Grandparent shall include a foster grandparent, step-grandparent or adoptive grandparent.

Qualified driving instructor is defined as an instructor who has a valid driver education endorsement on a teaching certificate issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or a driver training instructor employed by a private driver education program.

Qualified person is a parent, legal guardian, or a certified trainer with a federal residential job training program with a valid drivers license.

The Missouri GDL law is the minimum, not maximum standard. The goal should be to exceed what is in Missouri’s law to keep your teen safe during his or her most dangerous driving years.

FIVE CRITICAL GDL STEPS THAT NEED TO BE ENFORCED:

1. Increase practice driving hours.  Forty hours of driving practice is the minimum with at least 10 hours occurring at night, but 100 hours is better.

2. Limit nighttime driving. Your teen may NOT drive alone between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

3. Limit passengers. Only transport one passenger during first six months of independent driving.

4. Enforce safety belt use.  Ensure the driver and all passengers wear safety belts.

5.  Create and enforce a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement.  Parents and teens work together to establish safe driving rules and the consequences for breaking the rules.

Also keep in mind that laws for drivers under 21 applies to all steps of the GDL, such as texting.  Missouri law prohibits drivers 21 years and younger from sending, reading or writing an electronic message while behind the wheel, including when stopped in traffic.  The fine for texting while driving is $200.  Two points will be assessed on the driving record for each conviction.

Missouri also has a zero alcohol and zero drug tolerance law.  Zero tolerance in Missouri means anyone under 21 driving with a BAC of .02% or higher will have his or her license suspended for 30 days.

Make sure you fully understand the Graduated Driver License law, then:  Be patient, it takes many years of practice to become an experienced driver.

Source: First Impact MO and Missouri Department of Revenue