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June 26, 2014 Vol. 1 Issue 5 Fireworks in the Park 2014 Buckner Clarion PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL Local Postal Customer The By Jessica Mauzey flooded with patients who have injuries related to fireworks. In 2011, there were 9,600 injuries treated at hospitals, with another 8,700 in 2012. Of these numbers, 50 percent resulted from unexpected ignition. The most common injuries occurred in the extremities and head regions, specifically burns to the face, ears and eyes. Of the injured, the majority were teens and young adults ages 15 to 24. Children age 10 and below came in second. Firecrackers, aerial devices and sparklers caused the most injury. Sparklers, a common firework for younger children, burn hot enough to cause third degree burns in a matter of moments, and attributed to 16 percent of all injuries. Besides posing personal safety risks, fireworks also contribute to property damage. The NFPA Obama initiated programs that expanded training to empower law enforcement officials in both preventing and responding effectively to active school shooters. School safety is a two-pronged approach that leverages school security measures and law enforcement officials. An estimated 90 percent of school districts enforced stricter security measures in some form after the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings. Fort Osage School District followed suit. At the beginning of the 2013-2014 academic year, all schools were equipped with a building lock down system and additional security cameras. Buckner Elementary expanded the building entrance, and now requires that a state issued identification to be shown through a camera before entering the school. Once inside, the visitor is issued a visitor's sticker before gaining access to other areas in the school, which are locked and must be opened by a staff member. Additionally, the district conducts intruder drills every year. In just over a year after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., where 20 elementary school students and six teachers were fatally shot, 44 [additional] school shootings have occurred. Of these shootings, 64 percent happened on K-12 campuses, and 70 percent of the offenders were minors. The majority of child offenders obtained the firearms from home. After the Columbine shootings in 1999, the United States Department of Education and the United States Secret Service joined forces to create the Safe School Initiative (SSI) to better understand the causes of targeted school violence. The findings of the program have been examined, allowing federal programs to set specific preventative safety standards for school districts nationwide. More recently, President Barack The Buckner Park Board is hosting its annual "Fireworks in the Park" on Saturday, June 28. Park Director Ed Burns said the event is one of the two biggest the park hosts annually. "It is a great way to join as a community and enjoy a professional show in a safe environment," he said. "We offer a variety of activities for adults and children that start well before the fireworks display." When it comes to fireworks, safety is the operative word. For families that would rather set off their own fireworks, what follows are words of caution. According to studies by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fireworks pose a high risk of injury. Leading up to and after the Fourth of July, emergency rooms are recorded 17,800 fires caused by fireworks, resulting in an estimated $32 million worth of damage in 2011. Needless to say, many fire stations operate at their peak during this time. Accidents to property and health are preventable. The CPSC recommends the following: ● Always keep a bucket of water close by to extinguish fires. ● Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. ● Sparklers should be restricted and only used under strict adult supervision. ● Never re-light fireworks or attempt to handle fireworks that did not fully ignite. ● Only light one at a time, standing behind the firework, never over the top. After ignition, move back quickly. For safety reasons, first responders and health care professionals say leave the fireworks to the experts. As for this year's event in Buckner, Grain Valley's Civil Air Patrol will provide assistance in parking areas. They will also be collecting donations for the Park Board to offset costs associated with providing the community event. Face-painting, light sticks and rubber band bracelets will be for sale. Bounce houses will be provided at no cost. Fair-like games will be set up as a fundraiser for a local Boy Scout Troop. Several vendors will also be on hand. The Ronni Ward Band will play a mix of country, classic rock and blues from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The fireworks display begins at dusk.

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