Winter Newsletter Edition - 2024

There are certain dangers that are more common during the cold weather months. Learn to recognize these issues and help prevent problems from occurring in your home this season.

If your holiday plans involve air travel, Safe Kids Grand Forks is dedicated to ensuring your family's safety throughout your journey. We offer guidance on how to securely transport your child on an airplane, as well as various options for ground transportation once you arrive at your destination. Whether you're departing from Grand Forks or arriving in our community, we invite you to discover how our resources can simplify your travel experience and enhance your peace of mind. We are here to help you feel confident and prepared for your adventures. For personalized assistance and further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 701.780.1489—your family's safety is our priority!

Fireplace Safety

When enjoying your fireplace, safety is a must! It is important to remember these basic safety precautions:

• Never leave a young child alone near a fireplace; they can be burned before, during and after use of the fireplace.

• Use a fireplace safety fence and create a barrier around the fireplace to keep your child at a safe distance at all times. Safety gates in doorways can keep your child from being in the room alone.

• Fireplace glass and other surfaces get extremely hot and can cause burns if touched. Consider purchasing a safety attachment designed to disperse heat from the fireplace doors.

Upcoming Class Dates:

Saturday, March 1

Saturady, April 12

Upcoming Class Dates:

Monday, February 17

Saturday, March 22

Saturday, April 26

Common Car Seat Install Errors

Did you know that approximately 60% of car seats are installed incorrectly across the country? Whether you’re using the seatbelt or the LATCH system, improper installation can significantly reduce the effectiveness of your child’s car seat in the event of a crash.

One of the most common—and dangerous—installation errors is using the wrong belt path. Many convertible car seats, which can be used in both rear-facing and forward-facing positions, have two separate belt paths—each designed for a different direction. When the wrong path is used, the car seat may not function as intended, compromising your child’s safety.

To ensure your car seat is installed correctly, always follow both the car seat manual and your vehicle’s instructions carefully. Proper installation isn’t just a small detail—it’s a matter of life and safety for your child.

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Medicine Safety While Traveling - Holiday Edition

During the holiday season, many families travel to spend time with loved ones or enjoy a winter getaway.

Regardless of whether you are staying with family or at a hotel, when you are not at home it can be harder to follow usual safe storage practices.

Here are a few tips to help keep your medicines safe and out of the hands of curious young children.

Congratulations to the newest certified car seat technicians from northwestern Minnesota! Our instructors spent 3 days in Fergus Falls, Minnesota with this dedicated group of 8 from across the region that came together to learn about car seat safety. With their new skills, they'll be able to make a real difference in keeping kids safe on the road.

For those interested in joining this important work, there are multiple upcoming courses:

April 15-17 – Grand Rapids, MN
May 12-15 – East Grand Forks, MN
June 10-12 – Bemidji, MN

Visit Safe Kids Certification for more details on these and other courses in your area. It’s a great opportunity to make a lasting impact on child safety!

Resources for MN Law Enforcement

The Minnesota Safety Council has developed two invaluable resources for law enforcement: a double sided quarter-page pocket card and a half-page visor card. These practical tools are designed to assist officers during traffic stops, enabling them to quickly assess whether any children in the vehicle are riding in an unsafe manner. By integrating these cards into their routine, law enforcement can enhance their ability to protect the youngest members of our community, ensuring their safety and well-being. This initiative exemplifies a proactive approach to safeguarding families, reinforcing the critical partnership between law enforcement and community health resources. Please feel free to share these resources with any law enforcement agencies in Minnesota. Together, we can foster a culture of safety and support for all families on the road.

From Our Partners

A Message from the Grand Forks Fire Department:

Adopting a hydrant can potentially save lives! The GFFD encourages you to adopt a hydrant so that we can access hydrants quicker in an emergency.

You will be expected to do:

- Remove snow and ice from the hydrant

- Clear a 3-foot perimeter around the hydrant

- Clear a path from the hydrant to the street

ALSO, residents who do adopt will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card every 4th day of the month! Drawings will start once we have a snowfall. Adopt a Hydrant!

A Message from the Grand Forks Public Library:

Winter in North Dakota is no joke, and we’re here to help. Our repurposed library card catalog—stocked with travel-sized toiletries year-round—now includes warm winter essentials like hats, gloves, socks, hand warmers, and more.

Located near the front desk, the Care Catalog is discreet, free, and available to anyone who needs it—no questions asked.

Special thanks to our Friends of the Grand Forks Public Library for helping us keep our community cared for, one drawer at a time!

If you'd like to donate, we kindly ask that all donations be new and unused. We're happy to accept small/travel-sized personal hygiene products (unopened) as well as hats and gloves. Or you can also shop our Amazon Wishlist here: https://a.co/eB0jEaY

Safe Kids Grand Forks | safekids@altru.org | 701.780.1489 | safekidsgf.com

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