Summer Food, Swimming and Kentucky Health

Public Health Issues Safety Guidelines for Food Handling, Swimming

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) wants to remind outdoor dining and swimming enthusiasts of some tips to stay safe during family get-togethers and swimming outings planned for the season.

“The onset of summer is reason to celebrate for many people, especially those who enjoy outdoor parties and water sports,” said William Hacker, M.D., acting undersecretary for health and DPH commissioner. “They certainly are wonderful activities, and we want all Kentuckians to enjoy them. Still, we have to be mindful of public health and safety.”

DPH has compiled a list of basic safety tips to follow to avoid illnesses linked to improperly stored/prepared food or swimming in contaminated waters.

For grilling:

• Wash your hands before and after handling food. Be sure all utensils and plates are clean before preparing or serving food.



• Use the refrigerator for slow, safe thawing or thaw under cool running water. You may use the microwave for thawing, but grill immediately.



• Marinate in the refrigerator, not on the counter.



• Always use a meat thermometer to check internal meat temperatures. Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Cook food to the proper internal temperature:


─ Ground beef, 155 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds
─ Poultry and stuffed meats, 165 degrees F for 15 seconds
─ Pork products, 150 degrees F for 15 seconds
─ Other products, 140 degrees F for 15 seconds
─ Reheating leftovers, 165 degrees F for 15 seconds

DPH also recommends keeping meat and poultry refrigerated until ready to use. After cooking meat and poultry on the grill, keep it at 140 degrees F or warmer. In weather warmer than 90 degrees F, food should never sit out for more than two hours. Refrigerate any leftovers promptly in shallow containers to ensure they’re cooled quicker and more thoroughly.

Kentucky Swimming Health Concerns

In addition, DPH also stressed the importance of healthy swimming behaviors in preventing recreational water illnesses (RWIs). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local health departments across the country investigated more RWI outbreaks in 2007 than ever before, many linked to Cryptosporidium (“Crypto”), a chlorine-resistant parasite.

Awareness of RWIs and healthy swimming behaviors play an important role in stopping transmission of the illnesses. Germs on and in swimmers’ bodies end up in the water and can make other people sick. Even healthy swimmers can get sick from RWIs, but young people, the elderly, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people are especially at risk. Specific actions you can take to promote healthy swimming include:

• Do not swim when you have diarrhea.


• Do not swallow pool water or get pool water in your mouth.


• Shower before swimming (children too).


• Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.


• Take children on bathroom breaks or change diapers often.


• Change children’s diapers in a bathroom, not at poolside.

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Joyce Pinson,Kentucky Health Insurance agent,  is an avid griller and loves to grill fresh Kentucky produce.

Kentucky Teen Driving Resources

It's graduation week here in the Kentucky, with many high schools ready to turn loose Kentucky's latest crop of graduates. Like their parents, and their parents before them, new graduates are eager to celebrate their accomplishments and new found freedom. It's the job of educators, parents, and mentors to help the graduates keep their feet on the ground and drive responsibly.

In previous columns, I have referred a number of sites that are aimed at teens and parents of teens. It always comes down to parents having an open dialog with their children about being responsible behind the wheel.

Here's the latest website I think is worth mentioning

Road Ready Teens by Chrysler

The site includes sections for Teens as well as parents of teens. The Kentucky Department of Transportation has this site on their resources page. Additionally, they post links to the National Safety Council's site, which includes many links to young drivers and teen drivers information.

Happy Kentucky Graduation...and be safe out there!

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Saving Money At the Pump

Gas prices hitting Kentuckians in the Pocketbook

Is it just me or is gas prices spilling over into all aspects of our lives? For instance, at the grocery store I am used to the shelves being stocked to biblical proportions "heaped up, pressed down, and running over." Not only are the shelves not stocked, they are on the verge of "empty" on many items. Ask store management, and they tell you vendors stock less frequently due to fuel costs. Not only are the shelves less than overflowing, but prices are going up, up, up. It's a pinch on the pocketbook!

At our Kentucky insurance office  we are seeing more of our office pays take advantage of our Internet online pay options. I miss seeing some of them, but again it's more economical to pay online, than drive to our office.

On the home front, we have been building. Costs of lumber is going up, chiefly due to fuel expenses. Materials are not even delivered "as needed," now they wait until they have a full load. Yes, I understand the fuel economy but when you have contractors with no materials, it is no economy for me.Whaaa!

So what can I do to economize my fuel costs and make consumption more efficient?

• Check your tires to make sure they are inflated properly.


• On pretty days, lay off the air conditioner. Roll down your car windows and let the breeze blow your hair. Forget about your dignity! Buy a comb.


• Combine trips. I have been amazed how many gallons of gas I have saved by running all my errands at once. Not only does it save gas, it saves me time...something I have precious little of!


• My metro friends in Lexington  and   Louisville,  avoid traffic snarls and lots of stopping and starting. Take the back way. Get off the expressway...if you are travelling over 60 mph you are wasting fuel anyway.


• Get a tune up. Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top running condition for best fuel efficiency.


• This one surprised me, but empty out your trunk if you are carrying allot of "extra baggage." The more you carry, the more energy you expend.

Are you a visual person? Check out this site which has an interactive car graphic that allows you to analyze all parts of your car and see what you can do to save your Kentucky gas dollars.

Other resources

Myths about saving gas

Fine Living saving gas


CNN Best Fuel Efficient Cars

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A Kentucky insurance agent, Joyce Pinson hates to drive. She is very good at carpooling and planning efficient errand running.   Click for more Kentucky Insurance Consumer Tips.

Pool and Spa Safety Tips Protecting Your Kids

Safe Kids Issues Pool and Spa Safety Reminder

Media Contact: Mary Margaret Colliver, (859) 361-1887

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 22, 2008) –Safe Kids Fayette County, led by UK HealthCare's Kentucky Children's Hospital, is reminding families about the serious risk of child drownings in pools and spas.

With pool season unofficially opening during Memorial Day weekend, the Neighborhood Safety Network (NSN), a project of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), reports there has been an increase in drownings.

The report indicates the national average number of drowning deaths involving children younger than 5 in pools and spas has increased from a yearly average of 267 (for 2002-2004) to 283 (for 2003-2005), with most of the incidents involving 1 to 2 year olds.

"Drowning occurs more commonly when children get access to the pool during a short lapse in adult supervision" said Sherri Hannan, coordinator of Safe Kids Fayette County. "To reduce the risk of drowning, pool owners should adopt several layers of protection, including physical barriers, such as a fence completely surrounding the pool with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool area and/or a power safety cover over the pool."

Hannan says parents should use these tips to help prevent drowning deaths:

• Since every second counts, always look for a missing child in the pool first. Precious time is often wasted looking for missing children anywhere but in the pool.


• Don't leave toys and floats in the pool that can attract young children and cause them to fall into the water when they reach for the items.


• Inspect pools and spas for missing or broken drain covers.


• Do not allow children in a pool or spa with missing/broken covers. Inserting an arm or leg into the opening can result in powerful suction and total body submersion/drowning.


• For above-ground and inflatable pools with ladders, remove or secure the ladder when the pool is not in use.


• It is important to always be prepared for an emergency by having rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Parents should learn CPR.

New CPSC data also shows that between 1999 and 2007 there were 74 reported incidents involving entrapment, resulting in nine deaths and 63 injuries. Six of the deaths occurred in pools and three occurred in spas and all of the deaths except for one involved children 14 or younger. These entrapment incidents involve being trapped by the force of suction at the drain and can occur because of a broken or missing outlet cover.

Parents, caregivers, and pool owners are encouraged to make safety a top priority at the pool and spa. The new “Partners in Drowning Prevention” PDF poster is available.

Safe Kids Fayette County works to prevent accidental childhood injury, the leading killer of children 14 and under. Its members include health professionals, school, police and fire officials, and community leaders. Safe Kids Lexington is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. Safe Kids Lexington was founded in 1993 and is led by UK HealthCare's Kentucky Children's Hospital. For more information, contact Safe Kids Lexington at (859) 323-1153.

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Charlie and I first became acquainted with the Safe Kids program through our work with local Kentucky Kiwanis Clubs. Our Kentucky insurance agency personal lines manager, 
Mark Frantom  is in-line to be president of our local Kiwanis club.

Kentucky Highways 100 Deadly Days of Summer

By Rodney Brewer, Kentucky State Police Commissioner
Date of News Release: 05/15/2008

(Frankfort, KY) - Many families plan summer vacation road trips which include scenic areas within the Commonwealth that are a convenient driving distance from home. This vacation time frame is often referred to by law enforcement as the "100 Deadly Days of Summer," part of a national enforcement campaign that targets aggressive drivers. The time period from Memorial Day to Labor Day represents one of the most dangerous and deadliest times of year on our nation's highways. An overarching reason is the significant jump in alcohol-related traffic crashes and fatalities.

Impaired driving is one of America's deadliest problems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that an average of 36 fatalities occur each day on America's roadways as a result of crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. Every 30 minutes, someone in America dies in an alcohol-related crash, and more than 300,000 are injured each year. Statistics reveal that about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their lives.

During the Commonwealth's peak travel season, we must call awareness to the need for increased driver safety. With rare exception, the vast majority of vehicle crashes are preventable. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) can help stem the tide, but we also need every Kentuckian's cooperation. KSP has a toll free number (800.222.5555) that motorists can call to report impaired, aggressive or unsafe drivers.

Seat belt usage is the single most effective action you can take to protect yourself in a vehicle crash. Seat belt use reduces the risk of sustaining a fatal injury by 45 percent in a car and 60 percent in a light truck. Additionally, 60 percent of passengers killed in traffic crashes are not wearing seat belts. As of May 1, 2008, a total of 224 people have lost their lives on Kentucky's roadways. Of the 224 motor vehicle fatalities, 125 were not wearing seat belts and 47 were the result of crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol.

Kentucky Highway Safety Tips

Despite record gas prices, the American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that nearly 39 million drivers across the United States will hit the road during each Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holiday weekends. If you're going to be one of the countless people behind the wheel, here are a few safety tips you should know:

Obey speed limits. Excessive speed reduces your ability to avoid a crash, extends your vehicle's stopping distance and increases the severity of a crash when it occurs.

Don't tailgate. Follow other vehicles at a safe distance. If you find yourself being tailgated, don't hit the brakes. Slow down gradually and let the other vehicle pass you.

Avoid aggressive driving behaviors such as passing on the shoulder of the road, changing lanes without signaling, violating traffic signals and weaving in and out of traffic.

Avoid or minimize in-car distractions such as cell phone use, changing tapes or CDs, or eating.

Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation and fatigue can cause lapses in attention, slowed awareness and impaired judgment.

Take frequent breaks to keep alert during long distance trips.

Be extra cautious around large trucks. They have large "blind spots" and much longer stopping distances than passenger cars.

Please do your part to be safe and remember that 80 percent of crashes occur within 20 miles of home at speeds of 45 miles per hour or less. About 40 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less. These tips will increase your chances of survival and reduced speed will also increase your fuel mileage.

The Kentucky State Police, in conjunction with local law enforcement will be out in force conducting safety check points, saturation patrols on interstates and local highways with emphasis on high-crash locations throughout the summer. Do your part not to be a statistic during this dangerous time period by buckling up and driving the speed limit.

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Safe Driving Tips for Memorial Day

Kentucky State Police Working Overtime During Memorial Day Weekend

Date of News Release: 05/21/08

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Traffic on the state's roadways is expected to increase significantly during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, which traditionally marks the beginning of the summer driving season. Accordingly, the Kentucky State Police plans to intensify its traffic safety efforts from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 23, through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 26.

To increase your chances of surviving highway travel during this dangerous holiday, KSP offers this simple advice: slow down, buckle up and don't drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

"Last year, there were 835 crashes in Kentucky during the Memorial Day weekend," says KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer. "Eight people lost their lives and 355 were injured. Many of these fatalities and injuries might have been avoided if the drivers had slowed down, buckled up and avoided the use of drugs and alcohol."

"As of May 18, a total of 270 people have lost their lives on Kentucky's roadways in 2008," says Capt. Tim Lucas, commander of KSP's Highway Safety Branch. "Of the 220 motor vehicle fatalities, 142 were not wearing seat belts and 50 were the result of crashes involving the suspected use of alcohol."

Lucas points out that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), using a seat belt is the single most effective action you can take to protect yourself in a vehicle crash. Seat belt use reduces the risk of sustaining a fatal injury by 45 percent in a car and 60 percent in a light truck. It also reports that 60 percent of passengers killed in traffic crashes are not wearing seat belts.

Lucas also reminds motorists that Kentucky has a zero tolerance policy regarding driving while impaired by alcohol. "Although driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 is illegal, you can also be arrested for lower levels if you are under 21 years of age or operating a commercial vehicle," he explains. "If you are going to drive, it's best not to consume any alcohol at all."

"Even first time violators face immediate arrest, which can result in court costs, legal fees, higher Kentucky auto insurance rates, fines, loss of license and even imprisonment," he adds.

As part of the "Click It or Ticket" campaign, which started May 19 and continues through June 1, state troopers will be working overtime during the Memorial Day holiday. Operations will include increased saturation patrols and traffic safety checkpoints and coordinated enforcement activities with local police and sheriff's departments for maximum coverage.

KSP reminds motorists that Kentucky law requires them to slow down and use caution when they see a law enforcement or emergency vehicle stopped alongside the road with its lights flashing. They must move over to the lane farthest away from the vehicle if they are on a four-lane road with two lanes proceeding in the same direction and can do so safely.

Motorists should also be aware that the back seat is the safest place for children to sit, especially in vehicles equipped with passenger-side air bags. Infants and toddlers should never ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger-side air bag. Parents should always be sure that their child's safety seat has been properly installed in the vehicle according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Kentucky law requires all children 40 inches in height or less to be buckled into a child safety restraint seat that meets federal standards. Children over 40 inches tall must wear a seat belt. Violators face a $50.00 fine with an additional $10.00 fine donated to the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund.

According to NHTSA, properly installed child safety seats reduce the risk of death by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars.

Kentucky law makes the driver responsible for assuring that all occupants of the vehicle are properly restrained. Violation of this law will result in a fine not to exceed $25.00.

Other tips recommended by KSP for safe road travel include:

• Slow down in roadway construction zones. Watch for lane closures and merge well before the actual closure. Look for orange warning signs, follow posted speed limits, leave adequate space between vehicles, watch for workers and sudden stops and be prepared for changing road surfaces and traffic patterns.


• Avoid aggressive driving behaviors such as passing on the shoulder of the road, changing lanes without signaling, violating traffic signals and weaving in and out of traffic.


• Expect the unexpected. Watch traffic around you and be prepared to react. Scan the road ahead for potential hazards.


• Watch for road debris such as tire treads, garbage, lumber, gravel, tree limbs, mufflers and exhaust parts.


• Take extra care on rural roads with 55 mile per hour speed limits.

"Please do your part to be safe," says Brewer. "Remember, three out of four crashes happen within 25 miles of home at speeds of 45 miles per hour or less. About 40 percent of all fatal crashes occur on roads where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less."

Citizens can further contribute to highway safety during the holiday period by reporting erratic drivers to the KSP toll-free hotline at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.

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The staff of Charlie Pinson Insurance KY  wishes all a safe Memorial Day holiday. We will return to our Kentucky insurance office on Tuesday.

Kentucky Senior Citizens urged to get Shingles Vaccine

May 15, 2008 Contact: CDC Division of Media Relations

CDC Recommends Shingles Vaccine

People age 60 and older should be vaccinated against shingles, or herpes zoster, a condition often marked by debilitating chronic pain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended today.

CDC recommends a single dose of the zoster vaccine, Zostavax, for adults 60 years of age and older even if they have had a prior episode of shingles. The new full recommendation replaces a provisional recommendation that the CDC made in 2006, after the vaccine was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a committee of immunization experts who advise CDC on immunization policy.

The recommendation was published in an early release electronic edition of CDC’s Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report (MMWR) Recommendations and Reports. The ACIP recommendation becomes CDC policy once it is published in the MMWR.

Researchers found that, overall, in those ages 60 and above the vaccine reduced the occurrence of shingles by about 50 percent. For individuals ages 60-69 it reduced occurrence by 64 percent. The most common side effects in people who received Zostavax were redness, pain and tenderness, swelling at the site of injection, itching and headache.

Over 95 percent of people are infected by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), during their lifetime. The virus causes the common childhood disease chickenpox and then becomes dormant within the nerves. If it reactivates later in life, the result can be shingles. Shingles is characterized by clusters of blisters, which develop on one side of the body in a band-like pattern and can cause severe pain that may last for weeks, months or years. About one in three persons will develop shingles during their lifetimes, resulting in about one million cases of shingles per year.

Chickenpox (also called varicella) is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants and adults. Children who have never had chickenpox should get two doses of chickenpox vaccine starting at 12 months of age. The risk of contracting shingles increases with age starting at around 50, and is highest in the elderly. Half of people living to age 85 have had or will get shingles. The risk of experiencing chronic pain also increases with age.

Shingles Facts

• Anyone who has had chicken pox can get shingles. That means 95 percent of adults are at risk.


• Approximately one-third of the U.S. population will get shingles.
  
• More than half of older adults do not understand the seriousness of shingles and its complications.


• Among those who get shingles, more than one-third will develop serious complications. The risk of complications rises after 60 years of age.


• Appropriate and immediate treatment of herpes zoster can control acute symptoms and reduce the risk of longer term complications. Starting anti-viral medication within 72 hours of the onset of shingles can reduce the pain and the length of time the outbreak lasts.

For more information about the
shingles vaccine, please visit this website.
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