Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, February 1, 2012 Use these tips and don’t drink and drive on Super Bowl Sunday As thousands of Oregonians join millions across the country planning to gather and watch America’s most popular sport- ing event, the Super Bowl, law enforcement and traffic safety partners urge everyone not to let drunk driving penalize your plans. The U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Admin- istration (NHTSA), with support from the National Football League (NFL), have joined forces with state and local high- way safety and law enforce- ment officials to spread an im- portant safety message about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk. “Make the right call and have the keys in the hands of your designated driver so everyone can get home safely,” said Captain Mike Dingeman, director of the Oregon State Police Patrol Services Division. According to NHTSA, Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the road due to im- paired driving. Forty-eight (48) percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 per- cent or higher. Last year, two people died on Oregon roads following crashes after the conclusion of the Super Bowl football game. Both were in alcohol-involved traffic crashes. Over the last five years on Super Bowl week- end, 11 people have died in traffic crashes on Oregon roads. Oregon State Police, Ore- gon State Sheriff’s Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, ODOT and MADD stress that designating a sober driver should be on the top of Tips to stay safe during winter storms Several Oregon counties have experienced flooding due to winter storms that moved into the area recently. Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division wants to offer simple tips on how Oregonians can stay safe and healthy dur- ing inclement weather. “The floods this week will leave devastation behind them, and people will want to clean up and repair their homes and communities as soon as possi- ble so they can move forward with their lives and livelihoods. Some simple precautions can help protect their health as they do so,” said Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon Public Health director on January 20. Some tips to be safe during and after the storm: • Injury prevention: Stay out of flood waters. Even the strongest swimmers can drown in flood waters. Do not drive through standing water. Never make contact with power lines or objects that are in contact with power lines. Wear eye pro- tection when cleaning up storm debris. • Water: Check for local boil- water advisories. Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, make ice or make baby formula. • Well water: If your well has been affected by flood waters, it is recommended that you boil your water for at least one minute at a rolling boil, or pur- chase water from a safe source. Before resuming nor- mal use of the well, have the water tested for possible bacte- ria and pollutants. • Foods: Do not eat foods that have come in contact with flood waters. Throw away food that cannot be kept cold or properly heated due to lack of power. • Carbon monoxide poison- ing: Don’t use a generator, pressure washer, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device in- side your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. If car- bon monoxide poisoning is suspected, seek fresh air and consult with a health care pro- fessional right away. • Home safety: If there is standing water in your home, never turn power on or off your- self – contact an electrician. • Chainsaw safety: Wear ap- propriate clothing, such as safety glasses and heavy work gloves. Always cut at waist lev- el or below. With an electric chain saw, use extreme caution to avoid electrical shock. Avoid contact with power lines. • First aid: Immediately clean all wounds with soap and clean water. If your skin or eyes come in contact with haz- ardous materials wash thor- oughly with decontaminated water. Avoid getting cut be- cause cuts can lead to tetanus. If possible, make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. • Mold: Remove mold by washing with soap and water and letting surfaces dry com- pletely. Some materials such as moldy clothing, ceiling tiles and sheet rock may have to be replaced. If mold-related illness is suspected, consult a health care professional. For more information about injury prevention, food safety, wells, drinking water, and car- bon monoxide during and after flooding, go to public.health. oregon.gov. State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 503-901-1705 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com everyone’s Super Bowl party list. Join their team and report possible intoxicated drivers to 9-1-1 or Oregon State Police dispatch at 1-800-24DRUNK (800-243-7856). If you are hosting a Super Bowl party: • Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers. • Serve lots of food and in- clude lots of non-alcoholic bev- erages at the party. • Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alco- hol, such as one hour before the party ends or at the end of the third quarter (just like NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert. • Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from any- one who is thinking of driving while impaired. • Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available. • Remember, you can be held liable if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driv- ing crash. If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant: • Designate your sober driv- er before the party begins and give that person your car keys. • Avoid drinking too much al- cohol too fast. Pace yourself— eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alco- holic drinks. • If you don’t have a desig- nated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober. • Use your community’s sober ride programs. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk, and always buckle up – it’s still your best defense against other impaired drivers. Columbia County Mental Health 800-294-5211 Domestic Abuse ----------------- Suicide Hotline 1-800- 784-2433 or or 1-800-273- TALK(8255) Hotline 503-397-6161 866-397-6161 ----------------- Military Helpline 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838)