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Posted by: NorthlandOutdoors.com on 7/01/2009 at 9:17 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Experts give tips on keeping children safe around water
While swimming, boating and other water-related activities spell summertime fun for many Minnesotans, they can be dangerous for children. Watching children closely around water can help keep summer recreation safer.
The Minnesota departments of Natural Resources and Human Services are urging adults to be more aware of the danger water poses to children and what they can do to help keep kids safe.
Most drownings in Minnesota occur in lakes, ponds and streams, but children also drown in home swimming pools, spas, toilets, bathtubs and buckets. Since 2006, 34 Minnesota children have drowned; half of those were 3 years old or younger. Most drowned in lakes, ponds, creeks or pools but five children drowned in bathtubs during that time.
Drowning only takes a couple of minutes and a couple of inches of water. Many people think that children will cry out for help if they are in trouble in the water, but that often doesn’t happen. This means constant supervision is critical.
“Drowning is a silent killer,” said Tim Smalley, boat and water safety specialist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “A person - adult or child - in the process of drowning is unable to call for help. Adults need to be watching children and the water at all times. Experts recommend an adult be within an arm’s length of children around water.”
“It is critical that parents and other adults be vigilant when children are around water,” said Chuck Johnson, assistant commissioner of Children and Family Services at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). “Drowning deaths are preventable.”
Each year, DHS’ Child Mortality Review Panel reviews cases of children whose deaths, many of them through drowning, could have been prevented. The panel is state mandated to look at deaths and near-fatal injuries of children that occurred in relation to maltreatment, and it makes recommendations to state and county agencies for improving child protection. Drowning deaths, particularly of young children or older children with disabilities, are reviewed each year.
WATER SAFETY TIPS
“Following safety tips, particularly in being more attentive to children around water, is critical,” said Johnson.
* Never leave the bathroom when children are in the tub. Do not depend on a bath seat to safeguard children from drowning. Never rely on another child to watch children in the tub. Always drain all of the water out of the tub when finished.
* Empty all buckets, including diaper pails and place lid locks on toilets.
* Make sure at least one adult keeps children in sight whenever they are around water. Never leave children alone near water, even for a few seconds. Designate a specific adult to supervise the area.
* Be extra careful around lakes, pools and spas. Keep children away from the water unless a responsible adult is supervising. Install a 5-foot fence that completely surrounds a pool or spa, and make sure children can’t squeeze through the fence or unlatch the door. Gates and doors should be self-closing and self-latching, and gates should open away from the pool.
* Add extra protection on pools and spas. Install automatic safety covers and alarms on doors and windows leading to the water. Do not use floating pool covers; children can slip underneath them and become trapped out of sight.
* Empty blow-up pools after each use.
* Drain standing water from safety pool and spa covers. Children can drown in small amounts of water. Remove covers completely before using a pool or spa, and always replace them immediately after use.
* Never leave toys on the dock or in the pool or spa area to prevent tripping into the pool or standing water.
* Wear a life jacket when boating.
* Look in the water first if any children are missing.
* Always be prepared for an emergency. Learn CPR, know how to swim, keep emergency rescue equipment by the water, have a telephone nearby and teach everyone how to call 9-1-1.
More information on water safety is on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Web site.
More information on child abuse and neglect prevention is on the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Web site.
news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2009/06/30/experts-give-tips-on-keeping-children-safe-around-water/
Posted by: NorthlandOutdoors.com on 7/01/2009 at 9:08 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: northland outdoors rec sports swimming children safety
Fishing, hunting law changes effective July 1
Hunters and anglers should be aware of a number of law changes that will take effect July 1 (as opposed to the usual Aug. 1 date) as a result of legislation passed this year.
Changes to fishing regulations are listed online. Changes to hunting regulations will be listed in the 2009 Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet, which will be available in August.
FISHING
The new fishing rules are:
* Night bowfishing is allowed statewide from May 1 to the last Sunday in February, with limitations on noise and distance from structures.
* A resident is now allowed to take fish by angling in a state park without an angling license under certain conditions, except in waters where a trout stamp is required.
* Residents age 90 or older may take fish without a license.
New fishing contest rules now include: -
* A 25 boat minimum for the event to require a fishing contest permit (currently 30 participants).
* Rough fish contests and contests with total prize value of $500 or less do not require permits.
* The fee waiver for charitable organizations is no longer available.
* The current maximum contest fees are cut in half.
* The commissioner must develop best practices certification for fishing contests to assure proper handling and release of fish.
* The commissioner must develop an online web-based fishing contest permit application process.
* The commissioner may allow for live release weigh-ins at public accesses.
HUNTING
The new hunting rules are:
* Modify the electric motor restriction while in waterfowl feeding and resting areas from one with 30 pounds of thrust or less to one that is 12 volts or less.
* Allow a person with a valid bear license, prior to the Saturday on or nearest to Sept. 16, to leave a portable stand in a wildlife management area within 100 yards of a legally tagged and registered bear bait site. They also require a person leaving such a stand to affix their name and address to the stand so that it can be seen from the ground.
* Allow free deer licenses to be issued to residents with qualifying military service. The licenses allow the taking of deer of either sex.
* Remove the restriction on possessing crossbows outdoors, and removes casing requirements in a motor vehicle during open seasons for game.
* Establish new gun casing exceptions that apply when hunting and transporting a firearm; removes casing requirements for bows provided they are not armed.
* Allow the commissioner to issue permits to disabled persons to hunt from a vehicle that is valid for the life of the person, if the disability is irreversible.
* Modify the definition of bait for the purposes of restrictions while hunting deer.
* Extend the hours for placing decoys when hunting waterfowl to two hours before lawful shooting (it is one hour currently). Hunters may not leave decoys unattended during shooting hours for more than three hours.
* Prohibit importation or exportation of live coyotes
* Establishes by law the dates and restrictions for the Zone 3 (southeastern Minnesota) deer season for 2009
GENERAL
In other new rules:
* A person may harvest ripe wild rice on or after Aug. 15 (was July 15) to Sept. 30. In 2009, the commissioner may, by posting, restrict or prohibit the harvesting of wild rice on public waters based on the stage of ripeness of the wild rice stands in the waters.
This provides interim authority while wild rice stakeholder workgroups develop comprehensive recommendations for wild rice harvest and management prior to the 2010 Legislative session.
news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2009/06/29/fishing-hunting-law-changes-effective-july-1/
Posted by: NorthlandOutdoors.com on 6/30/2009 at 10:06 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: northland outdoors fishing hunting law changes
Fourth of July weekend: Take a train ride, tour the night sky, and more at Minnesota state parks
Campsite reservations still available in many parts of the state
Families looking for something to do over the Fourth of July weekend will find many options for all ages at Minnesota state parks - from naturalist-led programs to traditional tent camping opportunities.
Although most of the electric campsites are booked for the holiday weekend, approximately a third of the reservable campsites without electricity are still available. To reserve one, call 1-866-85PARKS or 1-866-857-2757 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, or visit stayatmnparks.com
In addition to those sites, up to 30 percent of the campsites at every Minnesota state park are nonreservable and available to campers on a first-come, first-served basis. The nonreservable sites include some with electricity.
Many family-oriented programs will be taking place at Minnesota state parks throughout the weekend. The following examples are within an hour’s drive of the Twin Cities and do not require advance registration. With the exception of the antique train ride, all are free, but a vehicle permit ($25 annual, $5 daily) is required to enter the park.
FRIDAY, JULY 3:
Universe in the Park, 10 p.m., Lake Maria State Park (Monticello): Join the University of Minnesota Astronomy Department for a spectacular tour of the night skies and an opportunity to view the celestial sights through provided telescopes. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Stargazing!, 8 p.m., Rice Lake State Park (Owatonna): Members of the Steele County Astronomical Society will set up telescopes and interpret the night sky. Meet at the shelter in the picnic area.
SATURDAY, JULY 4:
Historic Buildings Tour, 10 a.m., Fort Snelling State Park (St. Paul): Learn how the buildings along Hwy. 5 were used throughout the history of our state and nation. Meet at the ball field parking lot on the corner of Colville and Taylor avenues.
Big, Bad, and Beautiful Bugs, 2 p.m., Wild River State Park (Center City): View an assortment of insects, including a giant millipede, a “friendly” tarantula and more. Meet at the Visitor Center.
SUNDAY, JULY 5:
Antique Train Ride, 10:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., William O’Brien State Park (Marine on St. Croix): Take a one-mile walk, then board an antique train for a tour of the St. Croix Valley. Bring lunch or purchase food during a stop in Osceola, Wis. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for kids ages 4-15, free for kids under 4. Meet at the Visitor Center.
There is a state park or trail within 30 miles of almost every Minnesotan. For information about programs and special events, check the online calendar.
Posted by: NorthlandOutdoors.com on 6/29/2009 at 9:19 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: northland outdoors places camping minesota state parks fourth of july night sky train ride
DNR offers water safety tips for holiday weekend
People are heading to the beaches, lakes and pools around Minnesota looking for a little relief from soaring summer temperatures and humidity.
Unfortunately, as cool and refreshing as it may look, water can be a killer.
“Many people are ready for some fun in the water,” said Tim Smalley, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boat and water safety specialist. “But people need to remember that even though water is fun, it can be deadly to the careless or clueless.”
The DNR offers these tips to help make it a safer summer in Minnesota:
* Wear your life vest when boating. Most boat-related drownings happen to people who can swim, but aren’t wearing life vests at the time of the accident.
* If you are going to watch fireworks from your boat, make sure your running lights are working before you leave the dock. Switch them on at sunset. There are collisions every year after fireworks shows because a boater didn’t check their lights before dark.
* Drowning is often silent, occurs within minutes, and often when help is nearby. Don’t bury your head in a book at the beach or pool when children are near the water. Watch them the whole time. Children can slip away and escape your notice - and they are unable to cry out for help while they are drowning.
* Take swimming lessons and make sure your children do too. Many local parks and recreation departments, community schools and the American Red Cross offer swimming lessons, even for adults.
* Don’t swim from a boat anchored in deep water without a life vest no matter how good of a swimmer you think you are.
* Swim with a buddy. Even adults can get into trouble in the water and if no one is there to help, drowning can be the outcome.
* Swim in a designated swimming area with lifeguards whenever possible and do not swim outside the swimming area markers.
* Don’t rely on plastic arm “floaties,” inner tubes or water toys to save your child’s life. Those items may deflate and can slip off. The only flotation device your child should be using is a U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest. Recently-approved child’s models include bathing suits with built in life vests.
* Know how to rescue a drowning person without putting yourself at risk. Throw a floating object or extend something like a paddle, towel or other item to the victim, so if they start to pull you in, you can release it to try another form of rescue. Only attempt a swimming rescue if you are properly trained in lifesaving techniques.
* Call 911 in an emergency. You can always cancel your call if it turns out to be a false alarm.
* If a person has been totally submerged in water and then recovered, insist they seek medical attention. A small amount of inhaled impure water can cause severe lung infections and even death if untreated.
* Learn child and adult CPR.
* Alcohol and water don’t mix. Booze and beer are two of the greatest dangers while swimming or boating. And never drink alcohol while supervising children.
For more tips on boat and water safety, call the DNR at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367; or e-mail boatandwater@dnr.state.mn.us.
news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2009/06/25/dnr-offers-water-safety-tips-for-holiday-weekend-2/
Posted by: NorthlandOutdoors.com on 6/28/2009 at 1:02 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: northland outdoors recreation boating fishing fourth of july