Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Child Safety Protection Month

 

November is Child Safety Protection Month

The goal of Child Safety Protection Month is to create awareness about the potential dangers children face in everyday situations and to use this new knowledge to prevent any dangers.  As a parent, we try to protect our kids from all the dangers of the outside world, but sometimes we forget about the dangers that kids face in their own homes.  I encourage you to make a safety check of your home.  To help, here's a brief safety checklist of questions. You should answer "yes" to all of these questions.

Are childproof  latches installed on all cabinet doors?

Are all medicine bottles tightly closed and stored in a high cabinet far from reach?

Is there a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home?

If you own firearms, are they stored in a securely locked case out of kids' reach?

Is ammunition stored in a separate place and in a securely locked container out of kids' reach?

Are bookshelves and other furniture secured with wall brackets so they can't be tipped over?

Are stairways clear of tripping hazards?

Are all unused electrical outlets covered with safety plugs?

Have you placed a list of emergency phone numbers near each phone in your home?

Are all cleaning supplies, bug sprays, bleaches, detergents and other cleaning products out of reach?

An accident or an injury can occur in any part of your home.  Child-proofing your home is the best way to reduce the risk of injury to children.  For more safety checklists, visit the kidshealth.org web site.

 

Upcoming Events

Nov. 8 -- Job Fair, America's Center, 9 a.m.

As part of the Church of God in Christ's Holy Convocation that is taking place at America's Center now through Nov. 12, C.O.G.I.C.'s Urban Initiatives is sponsoring a Job Fair to be held this Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 2nd Floor Atrium of America's Center, 701 Convention Plaza.  More than 40 employers will be on hand to meet potential employees.  For all the particulars, visit https://www.cogicicas.org/events/2013hc/

 

Nov. 9 – 30^th Annual St. Louis Regional Veterans Day Observance, Soldiers' Memorial, 10:30 a.m.

The 30th Annual St. Louis Regional Veterans Day Observance will take place this Saturday at Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut.  Visitors will be able to enjoy patriotic music beginning at 10 a.m.  The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will include a Stamp Dedication by the U.S. Post Office.  The parade will begin at Noon, with the Massing of the Colors.  This year's Grand Marshals were selected in honor of the 60 year anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.  They are Korean War veterans:  SMSgt. Harry Hope, Mr. Tom Gilmore, Mr. Dwight "Ike" Henderson, and Mr. Woody Powell.  Joining them is Grand Marshal Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, Commander, 18th Air Force at Scott Air Force Base, who also will serve as guest speaker at the celebration.  Invite your family and friends to join you as the City of St. Louis salutes our heroes.  For more information, visit www.stlvetdaycelebration.com.

Nov. 9 – HoliDIY Market, Mad ArtGallery, 11 a.m.

Everyone is invited to join the St. Louis Craft Mafia for the first handmade market of the holiday season this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Mad Art Gallery, 2727 S. 12th Street in the Soulard neighborhood.  Visitors will be able to enjoy live music and shop for craft beer, smoked meats, and handmade goods of all kinds.  Admission is free.  For more details, visit the holiDIY page on Facebook.com.  

Nov. 10 – Bilingual Family Concert, Off Broadway, Noon

Off Broadway will present a family concert from Noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10 featuring award-winning family songster Mister G.  The show will celebrate the release of Mister G's new bilingual album entitled, "ABC Fiesta." Mister G's new sing-along original songs bring together his love for music, reading and Spanish.  Tickets are $8.  Off Broadway is located at 3509 Lemp Avenue in the Marine Villa neighborhood.  For more details, visit ticketweb.com.

Nov. 10 – Fall Festival, St. Stanislaus, Noon

The St. Sanislaus Fall Festival will take place this Sunday, starting at Noon.Visitors will be able to enjoy a great dinner, pumpkin carving fun, Polish drinks and souvenirs, and an all-together fun-filled day.  The church is located at 1413 North 20^th Street in the Carr Square neighborhood.  To learn more, visit the saintstan.org website.

Nov. 11 – American Legion Veterans Day Ceremony, Soldiers' Memorial, 10:55 a.m.

Invite your family and friends to join you on Monday, Nov. 11 for the American Legion 11th and 12th District Veterans Day Ceremony at Soldiers' Memorial, 1315 Chestnut in beautiful Downtown St. Louis.  The ceremony will begin at 10:55 a.m. and will mark the armistice that was reached on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 to end World War I.  Come early or stay after the ceremony and visit the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum.  Need more info?  Call (314) 622-4550.

 

Nov. 14 – 24 – 22^nd Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival, Tivoli

The 22^nd Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) will open on Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Tivoli, 6350 Delmar, with a 6 p.m. reception and 7:30 p.m. screening of "We Always Lie to Strangers," a new documentary about Branson, MO.  The festival will include a number of special events and free events and will spotlight many film categories.  For more information and the complete schedule, visit the cinemastlouis.org web site.

 

Save the Date

Nov. 15 – Sips in the City, Culinaria, 5 p.m.

Nov. 15 – America Recycles Day, various locations, various times

Nov. 16 – Czech Fall Festival, American Czech Education Center, 11 a.m.

Nov. 16 – Girls on the Run 5K, Soldiers' Memorial Plaza, 8 a.m.

Nov. 16 – Trivia Night, St. Frances Cabrini Academy, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 16 – Meet Famed Missouri Artist Bryan Haynes, The Old Courthouse, 2 p.m.

Nov. 17 – 175^th Anniversary Concert, Second Presbyterian Church, 5 p.m.

 

Promoting Your Neighborhood Activities

Is there a neighborhood event on the schedule that you would like noted in the Spotlight? If so, you may email the information about it to me at deekenc@stlouis-mo.gov or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouis-mo.gov for consideration. You may also post it on the City's Calendar of Events on the City's web site:  http://stlouis-mo.gov.  The link to submit an event is on the home page. The listing is free. I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

 

Startup Weekend

Ever wonder what it takes to be an entrepreneur?  You can find out at the next Startup Weekend event scheduled for Nov. 15-17 at the T-REx Center, 611 Olive Street.  The 54-hour event is designed to provide would-be entrepreneurs with experience in business model creation, coding, designing and market validation.  The weekend ends with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with one more opportunity for critical feedback.  For all the details and to register, visit the stlouis.startupweekend.org web site.

Charlene Deeken
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis