Farm Safety Guidelines for Children Effective, Study Says

Giving parents specific safety guidelines for assigning farm chores to children can decrease injuries to children by half, according to a study by the Basset Research Institute and the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health.

The Center issued the North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks in June 1999 to help adults assign age-appropriate farm chores to children 7 to 16 years old. The guidelines consist of 68 recommendations covering jobs such as animal care, hay operations, and tractor fundamentals.

The guidelines were tested on 845 farms in central New York with a total of 2,454 children who either lived or worked on the farm. Half of the farms received the guidelines and a visit from an educator. The other farms received only a visit to complete a baseline survey; these farms made up the control group.

Giving the parents the guidelines reduced injuries by nearly half when compared to the control group.

The guidelines were most successful by limiting the amount of time a child performs a task and by increasing the amount of the task supervised by an adult.

The guidelines can be found at http://www.nagcat.org. For additional safety tips, see http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/farm_safety.html.

Source: www.healthday.com; USA Today

Each year, more than 100 children are killed and 33,000 seriously injured on U.S. farms and ranches, according to the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.

Good Samaritan Energy Fund

The Good Samaritan Energy Fund was established by the State of Illinois to assist low-income households in restoring electric or gas service. Donations received for the fund are used to alleviate utility bill arrearages for households qualifying for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Ninety percent of the contributions to the fund will be directed to low-income consumers who reside in the county from which the money is received. If you would like to assist less fortunate citizens in your community with their energy needs, make your check payable to Good Samaritan Energy Fund and mail to: Office of Energy Assistance, Attn: Good Samaritan Energy Fund, P.O. Box 19154, Springfield, IL 62794-9154

Child ID Kits Distributed by Touchstone Energy® Co-ops

The Illinois Touchstone Energy Cooperatives were recently recognized for their efforts in protecting rural children through the National Child Identification Program. The co-ops have distributed 34,000 inkless child ID kits at annual meetings, key account events, and schools.

A plaque recognizing this effort was presented at the annual meeting of Illinois Electric Cooperatives. The plaque states that this is the largest distribution of Child ID kits in Illinois, and the eighth largest single distribution in the history of the National Child Identification Program.

The kits are completed by parents, and then stored. If a child should ever run away or be kidnapped, the completed kit is given to law enforcement, which would enter the child's data in a national missing child database.

If you'd like one of these kits, contact your local Illinois Touchstone Energy cooperative.

Cement Shortage Opens Market to Co-op Power Plant Fly Ash

Record use of Portland cement by U.S. construction industries, coupled with high Asian demand and lower U.S. imports, has opened a market for fly ash, a by-product of coal-burning power plants.

Fly ash has long been used to improve cement quality. In 1929, it was first used in the construction of the Hoover Dam.

Fly ash use has two primary environmental benefits. They include:

• A savings of $320,000 in landfill disposal costs for every 85,000 tons of fly ash used in making concrete products (much of it is currently disposed in landfills); and

• A reduction of 1.0 to 1.1 tons of greenhouse gases for each ton of fly ash used as a cement replacement.

A generally accepted fly ash-to-cement ratio is 70 percent Portland cement and 30 percent fly ash. The current cement shortage presents an opportunity for concrete users to learn more about proper use of higher volumes of fly ash in concrete.

Source: NRECA Cooperative.com

6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop

FFA Recordkeeping for the 21st Century

Sound agricultural management plans call for efficient and accurate record-keeping. For many decades, FFA, the leading agricultural education program in Illinois schools, has emphasized recordkeeping as a major part of ongoing projects conducted by its members. But, as many participants will admit, these written records are time-consuming and get a bit dog-eared by the end of a multi-year project.

With that in mind, the Information Technology and Communications Services unit of the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences created EZ Records, a unique electronic system for handling students' Supervised Agricultural Experience records. EZ Records includes such features as automatic calculations, data sorting, color-coded record pages, inventory records, customized content options, unlimited enterprise options, and spell checking.

More information is available at http://ezrecords.aces.uiuc.edu/prod_info.html or at www.publicationsplus.uiuc.edu or by calling (217) 333-2007.

Co-ops' Costs Per Member Increase

Average co-op consumer density continued its upward trend for the fifth year in a row across the U.S., increasing from 5.47 meters per mile of line in 1999 to 5.70 meters in 2003. Illinois co-ops average 4.5 meters per mile. The industry's relatively low density level contributes to higher costs of providing services compared to investor-owned utilities, which have substantially higher density levels of 30 or more meters per mile of line.

Investment in total utility plant per mile of line increased from a median of $19,086.04 in 2002 to $19,910.36 in 2003. This results in plant investment per consumer of $3,711.19 in 2003, up $137.76 over 2002.

Where Presidential Candidates Stand on Rural Issues

The Kerry-Edwards team has proposed a five-point plan to revitalize and strengthen rural America. The first point of the plan emphasizes strong support for rural development through initiatives aimed at helping small businesses and manufacturers. The second part promises to bring high-speed Internet to rural America. The third part calls for increased investment for making fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, which are produced from corn and soybeans. This would, according to the Kerry-Edwards plan, provide new cash crops for the nation's farmers and tap into renewable energy sources. The fourth part of the plan proposes to help family farmers compete in today's global agricultural economy by fighting against large corporate takeovers of family farms. And lastly, the plan calls for full funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to hire sheriffs in rural communities and fund efforts to break up methamphetamine production and sales in hot spots throughout rural America.

The Bush Administration has emphasized rural development through its programs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), financially supporting services such as water and sewer, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities, and electric and telephone services. As part of USDA, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), formerly known as the Rural Electric Administration, has always administered rural electric loans. However, the Bush Administration is currently diminishing and narrowing the role of the RUS, including calling for 35 percent cuts in funding to the program for 2005. Source: NRECA; USDA; Kerry-Edwards campaign

Extinguish the Flames

A fire loss report by the National Fire Prevention Association states there were approximately 400,000 residential fires that caused 2,670 deaths, 14,050 injuries, and $6 billion in property damage in 2002. That equals one residential fire every 79 seconds. Having at least one fire extinguisher in your home that you know how to use properly can decrease the chances of a small fire getting out of control.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends placing the fire extinguisher near an exit. Kidde, a fire extinguisher manufacturer, advises installing a fire extinguisher within reach on every level of your home, close to exits, and in the kitchen and garage.

To use an extinguisher follow the PASS method:

• Pull the pin.

• Aim at the base of the fire, staying at least six feet away.

• Squeeze the handle.

• And Sweep the base of the fire from side to side.

Having and using a fire extinguisher is only part of a fire plan.

Your house should be equipped with working smoke detectors on every floor (including the basement), and outside each sleeping area. Most importantly, your family should have and practice a home escape plan so if there is a fire everyone will know what to do and where to go.

Source: National Fire Protection Association, Kidde

When selecting an extinguisher for the home, Kidde recommends you choose a multi-purpose extinguisher that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle.

OCTOBER 2004 www.aiec.coop 7

Vote? Why Bother!

Tuesday, November 2, is your day—your day to vote, your date to make your voice heard on the issues important to you and your family, your community, and the country. This year, all states and U.S. territories will hold elections for the U.S. Congress. All 435 House of Representatives seats and 34 Senate seats will be up for grabs. There is a lot at stake this time around.

If you have never voted or become involved in the electoral process, now is a perfect time. Start by registering to vote. You can contact your local voter registration office, stop off at your state department of motor vehicles office and fill out a form, or you can even register online at www.beavoter.org.

Empower yourself with knowledge about the candidates and issues before making the trip to the polls. Your elected officials can only represent you if they are aware of your concerns.

Exercise your right to vote on November 2. And if you don't vote, don't complain.

Helping Illinios Youth Live Drug Free a Good IDEA

In 1985, Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), was working undercover in Mexico when he was caught, tortured, and murdered by drug traffickers. The Illinois Drug Education Alliance (IDEA), along with the Virginia Federation of Parents, organized the first National Red Ribbon Campaign to recognize Kiki's fight. The red ribbon became the symbol of zero tolerance for illegal drug use and a commitment to a drug-free lifestyle. Red Ribbon Week is October 24-31.

"Each one of us, whether as an individual, business, or community organization, has the opportunity to pave a path that will help influence our youth towards a drug-free life," says Paul Perrone, IDEA Red Ribbon Coordinator. "Red Ribbon Week provides an opportunity for all to show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free life. The Red Ribbon program is an investment in helping people make healthy choices. It's an investment in our youth."

Drug-related problems know no boundaries, affecting everyone regardless of social standing, gender, ethnicity, and income level. The costs and consequences associated with substance abuse are enormous and put a strain on family life, public safety, the health-care system, and the economy. During Red Ribbon Week, we have an opportunity to help people better understand the problems associated with alcohol and drug abuse. And, share with them the importance of prevention.

IDEA is a statewide, volunteer coalition of citizens and community organizations dedicated to drug-free youth and the prevention. IDEA'S 22nd Annual Prevention Conference will be held November 21 and 22.

For more information go to www.bestofidea.com, or contact Fran Massie at (309) 664-1612, or e-mail fran.massie@verizon.net.

Highway Fatality Rate at Historic Low on Nation's Roads

The fatality rate on the nation's highways in 2003 was the lowest since record keeping began 29 years ago, the U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced today. The number of crash-related injuries also dropped to a historic low in 2003.

Secretary Mineta pointed to efforts by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that contributed to the reduction in the fatal accident rate, including campaigns to encourage safety belt use and discourage impaired driving, work with state legislatures to pass tougher safety belt and drunk driving laws, and rule-making efforts to improve vehicle safety standards.

A total of 42,643 people died, and 2.89 million were injured in 2003. The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) was 1.48 in 2003, down from 1.51 in 2002. It was the first time the rate has dropped below 1.5. In 2002, 43,005 were killed and 2.93 million were injured.

Alcohol-related fatalities also dropped significantly in 2003, the first such decline since 1999, as more states adopted laws that allowed them to prosecute drivers at .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) and above. 2004 marks the first year that .08 BAC laws have been enacted in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

In 2003, there was a decline in the number of unbelted fatalities, reflecting an increase in safety belt use. Still, 56 percent of those killed in passenger vehicles were not wearing safety belts. This underscores the need for states to adopt primary safety belt laws.

8 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING www.icl.coop