Do not use these bounce castles, e-skateboards, regulators warn after deaths reported
The Consumer Product Safety commission is warning families to stop using certain bounce castles and electric skateboards after five total deaths were reported. Separately, hundreds of thousands of portable generators and strollers were recalled.
Leaders at San Antonio medical facilities improve security, training after string of mass shooting across US
A school, grocery store and medical facility are all public places that have seen deadly mass shootings in recent weeks. Safety and security leaders at area hospitals say they are on high alert and have started changing their training and improving security.
Suicides, homicides & accidental deaths amoung minors on the rise, Medical Examiner report shows
A group of child advocates is set to meet on Thursday for an in-depth review of the 2020 child fatality deaths reported by the county medical examiner. The group is set to make recommendations to help advocate to reduce the rising trend in child deaths.
Suicides, homicides & accidental deaths among minors on the rise, Medical Examiner report shows
A group of child advocates is set to meet on Thursday for an in-depth review of the 2020 child fatality deaths reported by the county medical examiner. The group is set to make recommendations to help advocate to reduce the rising trend in child deaths.
The scary truth about Halloween: These tips will help keep your kids safe
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) - Got your costume? Candy? Your route all planned out? But do you know where the real danger lurks on Halloween? Between the delta variant haunting our plans to unsafe costumes and dangerous treats, there’s a lot to think about this holiday.
TSA screening dogs at San Antonio International Airport? It’s a possibility
SAN ANTONIO – As the second impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump begins, there is a sense of bipartisanship at the San Antonio International Airport. AdRight now the San Antonio International Airport is the only category one airport in Texas without passenger screening canine teams. If we get the dogs here at the airport, obviously it would be effective,” Tonya Hope with the San Antonio International Airport said. I mean, the country is in good hands, and, yes, we have a very bright future ahead of us,” Congressman Gonzales said. The addition of TSA screening dogs would allow for a safer experience in our airports and provides an additional level of security that our airport currently lacks.”AdREAD MORE:San Antonio International Airport working to keep passengers safe while feeling strain of pandemicSan Antonio Airport System lands coveted air service conference in 2022Tips for traveling through the San Antonio airport during the pandemic
TxDOT’s ‘Be Safe. Drive Smart.’ program urges drivers to be alert, exercise caution
Drive Smart” campaign is currently underway and is urging motorists to be alert and exercise caution when traveling around large trucks on Texas roadways. Every day, thousands of large trucks and tractor-trailers travel busy Texas highways, weighing 20 times more than an average car. A good rule of thumb for motorists to remember is that if they can’t see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirror, that truck driver can’t see them or their vehicle either. Drive Smart” is part of the End the Streak Texas program. TxDOT is asking all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.
Bicyclist says burglars are ‘hole punching’ their way into vehicles in the area
The break-in happened in the parking lot of the Salado Trailhead at Loop 1604. “I got on my bank app and saw that several hundred dollars were wiped out of my checking account. “They even put my purse back where it was under the seat with my hoodie covering the end,” Todd said. Todd said the thieves had time to visit a nearby Best Buy and take off with items worth hundreds of dollars. Jeff Grossman, a bicyclist with a law enforcement background, said everyone needs to be observant before leaving their cars at any park or trailhead location.
How to recognize human trafficking, stop it and help others
More than 12 million people are victims of human trafficking. Here’s how you can recognize it, stop it, and help others. Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states, and it’s getting worse! If someone is pushing your boundaries ever, remember trafficking is gradual and happens little by little. It’s important to emphasize that human trafficking and modern slavery is a hidden crisis.
Rip currents vs. sharks - Here’s what Texas officials say you need to be concerned about when you go to the beach
In a Facebook post this week, PINS officials said it’s paramount that you check for rip current advisories before swimming. If you’re planning a trip to the coast you can check for rip current advisories here. Swimming is not recommended during any rip current advisory but if you do find yourself caught in a rip current, there are ways that you can try to escape. 2020 statistics for shark attacks are not yet available but 2019 statistics show that there were 64 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks worldwide - lower than the preceding five-year average. So, according to the experts, there’s little cause for concern regarding sharks but rip currents are something you need to watch out for.
Consumer Reports: Inside Kidde’s handling of massive fire extinguisher recall
SAN ANTONIO – It was one of the biggest recalls in government history: Millions of Kidde fire extinguishers were recalled in 2017 due to serious defects. “Kidde is committed to ensuring our products are safe and dependable, especially those related to life safety such as fire extinguishers,” a Kidde spokesperson said. Consumer Reports also found reports on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website from consumers saying Kidde bungled the recall, in some cases replacing a recalled fire extinguisher with another recalled model. If you have a recalled Kidde fire extinguisher, contact the company to replace it as soon as possible. Related: RECALL ROUNDUP: Pet food recalled after 28 dogs die of suspected poisoning
Schertz police warn about risks of having bumper stickers, decals
SCHERTZ, Texas – The Schertz Police Department is raising awareness about the use of bumper stickers and decals to encourage residents to better protect their personal information. Anna Kraft, the special project officer for Schertz PD, said the department has seen bumper stickers that could give too much information to criminals. “Some people may think it is harmless and that it is just a bumper sticker, but some criminals may actually take advantage of that,” Kraft said. “We just want to bring the awareness so people can watch for their surroundings and watch what they are giving to the public. “Everybody deserves to be proud and show your proudness of their families and kids, what their husband or wife does,” Kraft said.
How to make your outdoor space warm and cozy this winter
Consumer Reports can help with ways to keep your loved ones warm and safe with fire pits, patio heaters, and more. And if you want even more flexibility, consider a patio heater. CR says if you have outdoor outlets, you may want to consider a few strategically placed space heaters. But never use a space heater outdoors with an extension cord, because that poses a fire risk, just as it would inside. The Comfort Zone CZ499R Space Heater for $55 performed well in Consumer Reports tests for spot-heating.
Sharing on social media: How much is too much?
ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Seventy-two percent of Americans use social media, and in January of 2019, there was an average of 500 million posts onto Instagram stories a day. It’s clear that we love to share what is going on in our lives, but should certain things be kept secret? People post on social media to stay connected, but could certain posts hurt us in the long run? You can turn off your iPhone’s geolocation by going to Location Services, then Camera, and choose the option Never. To receive a free weekly email on Smart Living from Ivanhoe, sign up at: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftkRELATED: If you’re ‘doomscrolling’ social media, here’s how to take control
TxDOT preparing to kick off ‘Click-it or Ticket’ campaign
Texas law requires everyone in a vehicle to be properly secured in the front or back seat or face fines and fees up to $200. Children younger than 8-years-old must be restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. If a child isn’t secured, the driver faces fines of up to $250. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Click It or Ticket initiative in Texas is estimated to have saved more than 6,000 lives and prevented more than 100,000 serious injuries. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of dying by 45% for people in the front seat of passenger cars.
Downtown San Antonio businesses prepare for potential civil unrest after election
Downtown San Antonio businesses prepare for potential civil unrest after electionPublished: November 3, 2020, 11:31 amThroughout downtown, businesses are boarding up their windows and doors, bracing for potential unrest starting on Election Day ahead of what many are calling the most contentious election of our lives.
UT Health San Antonio offers COVID-19 Halloween safety tips for school children in new video
SAN ANTONIO – Just like the rest of 2020, Halloween will look and feel different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Halloween gatherings, such as carnivals and parties, are not recommended, and even the typical trick-or-treating tradition is undergoing some safety changes. UT Health San Antonio Pediatrics produced a video showing school children some suggested alterations for the holiday. Dr. Tess Barton, the chief pediatric infectious disease specialist at UT Health San Antonio, says there is a way to put COVID-19 safety guidelines to work on this holiday. To see the full video of Halloween tips from UT Health Pediatrics, click here.
Cycling community plans to honor late cyclist during virtual ride
SAN ANTONIO – Throughout this week, the cycling community in San Antonio plans to honor a well-known cyclist who was killed after being struck by a suspected drunk driver. “This was a man who was very wise beyond his years,” said Jeff Moore, president of SATX Social Ride. He was always open and very accepting of everybody.”Bradshaw was ripped from both the cycling community and his loved ones after being struck on East Houston Street in April 2019. Moore said the cycling community is planning a virtual ride for Bradshaw on Tuesday, where riders can start from wherever they choose and ride by his memorial ghost bike located at 1938 East Houston Street. “Solo riders, small groups, people who have small groups or want to ride with their friends -- basically get on your bikes and ride here,” Moore said.
Cibolo police sergeant loses everything in house fire, encourages others to value family
SAN ANTONIO – A Cibolo police sergeant who lost everything to a house fire Sunday is hoping his story encourages others to appreciate how valuable their family is. We have an outpouring from loved ones, family, extended family, my blue line family. “You go through life and you just don’t know,” Soto said. “Ask yourself, what your priorities are in life,” Soto said. I value these boys and they value me.
Did you know bleach expires and color-safe bleach doesnt disinfect?
Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Bleach becomes 20 percent less effective as each year goes by.Does color-safe bleach kill germs? Color-safe bleach does not disinfect like regular bleach does because they have different active ingredients. Color-safe bleach uses hydrogen peroxide while regular bleach has sodium hypochlorite. The Environmental Protection Agency does not list Clorox 2, or color-safe bleach as an effective way to kill germs and bacteria.
3 survivalist strategies you can use when the next storm strikes
One of the smartest things preppers, survivalists and other end-of-the-world types do is keep a supply of shelf-stable food. Here are some other things you could do:Create your own emergency foodYou can take a tip from survivalists and create your own emergency food for much less than pre-packaged meals will cost you. Just buy a case of Mason jars and a supply of oxygen absorber packets. As the name implies, oxygen absorber packets remove oxygen from the container and prevent food from going bad. When the a hurricane hits and/or you lose power, you will have a supply of food ready to go for yourself and your family.
Restoring power after a natural disaster could look different in a COVID-19 world
As we settle into hurricane season while also watching COVID-19 cases rise nationally, its difficult not to wonder how one could impact the other. Linemen at power companies have always taken precautions during outages after storms and other disasters, but the coronavirus pandemic is proving to be another danger to contend with. Some of the ways in which the companys new strategies were implemented included:Crew members stayed in separate hotel rooms instead of sharing. The company created a virtual storm response center instead of having a large number of employees in one facility. Where two people used to be in the field, damage assessors instead sent images to a colleague who worked from home.
Snake safety 101: How to snake-proof your home & yard
SAN ANTONIO – Snakes hibernate, so they’re literally coming out of the ground in spring and summer. That often means they’re waking up to new neighborhoods that have been built on top of their homes. So how do you keep snakes out of your new home and yard? San Antonio Zoo snake expert Craig Pelke shares some pointers. Check your fence for gaps and fill them in.
Keep an eye on your toddlers splashing in the pool. Drowning is the leading accidental cause of death for kids 1 to 4
An average of 379 children under age 15 die in reported drownings linked to pools or spas each year, the CPSC said. Widening the scope to include young people under the age of 20, drowning remains a major threat, ranking as the third leading cause of death among that age group. Nearly 1,000 young people succumbed to drowning in 2017, according to a policy statement published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Although drownings have long been a leading cause of death, childhood drowning rates have been more than halved in the last three decades. Most young children who drown in pools had only been left unsupervised for minutes or less, according to a CPSC study.
Local doctor provides health tips on protesting safely
Dr. Fred Campbell, with UT Health San Antonio, spent Sunday afternoon participating in the White Coats for Black Lives protest at the Health Science Center. I sympathize with the protesters, Dr. Campbell said. I am concerned about transmission of Covid-19, Dr. Campbell said. You will need to take the measures needed to protect others, Dr. Campbell said. Stay out of the direct sun, Dr. Campbell said.
Would you know what to do during a tornado? We have tips
As mid-May arrives, tornado season begins to reach its peak, proving to be a big threat, and nearly every state in the United States can experience a tornado. Having said that, do you know the safest things you can do for you and your family should a tornado strike near your home? Because of that, it’s smart to consider what room may be safest for you, in the event of a tornado. Mobile homes are simply not designed to withstand a tornado or strong winds in severe storms. [WATCH: When you see a tornado while driving, here’s what to do]The time to find shelter is when you are under a tornado warning, so while all of this is helpful information, the best thing you can do is know the signs before a tornado hits.