How to Start a Straw Bale Garden

How to Start a Straw Bale Garden

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We've planted a straw bale garden at Andrew County Public Health.

Download this PDF to learn how you can too!

New Safety Standards for Baby Changing Product

recall_logo.jpegU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – News Release

Release Date: July 2, 2018

Release Number: 18-182                                                                  

CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Baby Changing Products

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https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2018/CPSC-Approves-New-Federal-Safety-Standard-for-Baby-Changing-Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal standard [LINK TO FINAL PDF] intended to improve the safety of baby changing products, which include changing tables, changing table accessories, add-on changing units and contoured changing pads.

The new federal standard incorporates the most recent voluntary standard developed by ASTM International (ASTM F2388-18, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Baby Changing Products for Domestic Use), with no modifications. The standard addresses the hazard patterns associated with the use of baby changing products and includes requirements for structural integrity, restraint-system integrity and warnings on labels and in instructional literature. 

Between 2005 through 2016, there were an estimated 39,010 baby changing product-related injuries to children younger than three years of age treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, according to CPSC’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).

CPSC has received 188 reports of incidents involving baby changing products that occurred between January 2005 and November 2017. These incidents involved seven fatalities and 31 injuries or adverse health problems. The fatal incidents primarily involved suffocation or asphyxia when babies were sleeping on baby changing products. Structural integrity issues with baby changing products were the primary hazard associated with nonfatal incidents.

The effective date for the new mandatory baby changing products standard is June 26, 2019. The standard will apply to products manufactured or imported on or after that date

Changing tables used in public facilities, such as public restrooms, are covered by ASTM F2285, Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Diaper Changing Tables for Commercial Use, and are not subject to ASTM F2388-18 or the new mandatory standard.

The Commission is required by the Danny Keysar Child Product Safety Notification Act, Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), to issue consumer product safety standards for durable infant or toddler products. The Commission has approved new federal safety standards for durable infant or toddler products, including full-size cribs, non-full-size cribs, play yards, baby walkers, baby bath seats, children’s portable bed rails, strollers, toddler beds, infant swings, handheld infant carriers, soft infant carriers, framed infant carriers, bassinets, cradles, portable hook-on chairs, infant sling carriers, infant bouncer seats and high chairs.

The Commission voted unanimously (4-0) to approve the standard on June 19, 2018.

About U.S. CPSC:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive oure-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

Media Contact

Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.

Phone: 301-504-7908

Spanish: 301-504-7800

Free Meals for Kids

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Savannah United Methodist Church will begin the No Hunger Summer for ALL KIDS starting July 2nd-August 10 from 11:30-12:30, which will include FREE lunch, ice cream sundae Fridays, game days, cooking lessons and craft days. BIG THANKS TO THE SAVANNAH METHODIST CHURCH!!!

Tips to Prevent Heat-Related Illness

Andrew county Health Department Tips to Prevent Heat-Related Illness

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  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask your doctor how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. The Andrew County Senior Center is a heat-relief shelter.
  • Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
  • Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
    • Infants and young children
    • People age 65 or older
    • People who have a mental illness
    • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
  • Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.
  • Be aware of medications that may impair the body's response to heat, including antihistamines, tranquilizers and some medications for heart disease.

This project is/was funded in part by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Maternal and Child Health Services Contract # DH180014004, and is/was supported by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant #B04MC30623, Maternal and Child Health Services for $12,107,084, of which $0 is from non-governmental sources.  This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.