Smoke Signals
December 1990
page 4
COMMUNITY
NHTSA Alerts Parents
About Evenflo Child
Safety Seat Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) today urged owners of certain Evenflo child
safety seats to obtain a free repair kit and install a new
buckle assembly on seats that are being recalled by
Evenflo because they do not meet NHTSA's safety
standard for child seats.
According to NHTSA Administrator Jerry Ralph
Curry, the recall announced today by Evenflo involved
more than 3 million child safety seats manufactured
between April 15, 1985 and April 22, 1990. Each seat
has a black buckle housing and red push button belt
release.
"The problem with these seats is that at times the
buckle can look buckled and feel buckled even when it is
not completely latched. This can give users a false sense
of security that the child is protected. However, if the
buckle is not completely latched, it can release during a
crash and substantially reduce the protection provided to
the child," Curry said.
Curry explained that the remedy for this safety prob
lem is the installation of a new buckle assembly, which
will be provided free of charge by Evenflo. The installa
tion can be performed easily by consumers.
Curry said owners of safety seats involved in the recall
campaign should contact Evenflo promptly for the free
repair kit by calling toll-free 1-800-837-8926 or by
writing to Evenflo at 1801 Commerce Drive, Piqua,
Ohio 45356. Evenflo will need to know the model
number and date of manufacture to determine whether
a specific safety scat is among those recalled. This
information can be found on a label affixed to the side -or
back of the safety seat.
Curry said the recall includes infant-only car seats with
model numbers 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 448, 458,
201, and 202. convertible (infanttoddler) car scats with
model numbers 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408,
409, 411, 412, 414, 415, 416, 417, 453, 454, 221, 223; and
booster scats with model numbers 470, 471, and 242.
Curry stressed that consumers should continue to use
the safety seats until they install the repair kits. But he
cautioned, "After buckling in a child, ensure that the
buckle is fully engaged by vigorously pulling on the
crotch strap.
Parents who have questions about this campaign or any
other safety recall campaign should call NHTSA's toll
free Auto Safety Hotline at (800) 424-9398 (36600123 in
Washington, D.C.)
New JOM Staff
Due to the departure of Ms. Camille Van Vlcct, the
JOM Program has since hired Mrs. Barbara Lcno Steer
to fill the JOM Coordinator position. Ms. Steer officially
started effective November 28th, 1990. We welcome
Barbara. Look forward to meeting her in the near
future.
6 7
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" 4
ENGAGEMEf2ii;
ANTMniiMrcn
' '4 y
? "'A' '
Michael Wjute of Quuicy, UukJJ,
00As jBrendb Oifjsotf of Camp Point, xfo&fjfy
Michael is the son of Bud White of McMtnnville, 0&
t will be a great day
when
our schools
get all the money
they need
and the Air Force
has to hold
a bake sale
to buy a
bomber
-WILPF
copyright 1978
Words to Grow On
Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in
solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked
into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with
flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he
looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticedone
tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow.
"I will test myself against that mountain", he thought.
He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over
his shoulders and set off to climb the peak.
When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the
world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with
pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking
down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake
spoke:
"I am about to die", said the snake. "It is too cold for
me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I
am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down
to the valley."
"No," said the youth. "I am forewarned. I know your
kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will
bite, and your bite will kill me."
"Not so," said the snake. "I will treat you differently.
If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm
you."
The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persua
sive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth
tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the
valley. There he laid it gently on the grass, when
suddenly the snake coiled, rattled and leapt, biting him
on the leg.
"But you promised---" cried the youth.
"You knew what I was when you picked me up," said
the snake as it slithered away.
THIS STORY IS FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE
WHO MIGHT BE TEMPTED BY DRUGS. RE
MEMBER THE WORDS OF THE SNAKE:
"YOU KNEW WHAT I WAS WHEN YOU PICKED
ME UP."
By Iron Eyes Cody.
Farm Safety for Kids
One out of five farm families will be affected by a farm
accident resulting in an injury this year. Since children
are an important part of the farm labor source, the need
for greater attention to farm safety is of the utmost im
portance. Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) is pleased to
support the Farm Safety for "Just Kids" campaign.
Farm Safety for "Just Kids" is a national safety organi
zation whose goal is to increase awareness of farm injury
prevention and safety for children as well as parents.
Educational material including a film, safety fact sheet,
warning decals, and childrens workbooks will be distrib
uted to FmHA County offices throughout Oregon.
FmHA employees at all levels will be encouraged to gel
involved and help spread the farm safety message.
Marilyn Adams, president and founder of Farm Safely
for "Just Kids", was a featured speaker at the 1990
FmHA Wellness Coordinators Conference held in July.
She described how the loss of her 11 year old son in a
farm accident led her to form the organization. She has
worked with FFA, 4-H and other organizations to
educate students and parents about farm safety. Her
goal is to prevent farm accidents which result in the
death of 300 young people and 5,000 serious injuries
each year. Mrs. Adams offers fifteen tips to prevent
farm accidents.
1. Do not allow children as extra riders on equipment.
2. Do not allow children to play with idle machinery.
3. Leave any equipment that might fall - such as front
end loaders - in the down position.
4. When self-propelled machinery is parked, brakes
should be locked and keys removed from the ignition.
5. Always leave a tractor PTO in neutral.
6. When starting machinery - especially when reversing
it - know where the children are.
7. Maintain machinery in good repair, particularly
protective shields, RPOS and seat belts.
8. Do not permit kids to operate machinery until they
have completed safety training.
9. Fence farm ponds and manure pits.
10. Place fixed ladders out of reach, or fit with a special
barrier; store portable ladders away from danger areas.
11. Shield dangerous machinery components and
electrical boxes and wiring and place out of reach of
small children, or fit with locking devices.
12. Store chemicals and pesticides in a locked area.
13. Place warning decals on all grain bins, wagons and
trucks.
14. Maintain lights and reflectors for all equipment used
on roads.
15. Devote one day each year to family safety instruc
tions and rules.
FmHA encourages farm parents to begin today to
compile a list of your farms specific safety hazards.
Next, develop an action plan to reduce these hazards.
It is up to farm parents to demand safety, utilize
common sense, be aware of dangers and teach your
children a respect for farm hazards.
Agriculture's greatest resource is not the land, climate,
buildings and equipment, livestock or crops. It is the
children on our farms. Farm parents are urged to make
a special effort to promote farm safety in the lives of
their children in order to reap a better harvest in the
years ahead.
Clubs and organizations can contact their local FmHA
office to obtain more information regarding farm safety
for children. The FmHA office is listed in the telephone
directories under U.S. Government.