HUMBOLDT — The need for injury prevention doesn’t go away, even during a pandemic.
Many of Safe Communities Humboldt and Area’s programs have been put on hold, as many of them require large gatherings. Some of the programs, like the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program and the bike rodeo, require students to be in school.
“We’re basically kind of in a holding pattern, like a lot of many other nonprofits, businesses and other organizations at this time,” said Shari Hinz, Safe Communities’ executive director.
“We were set to deliver some poison prevention programming back in mid-March related to cannabis edibles [and had planned] a public presentation on that.”
Safe Communities is now looking at how it can fulfill its mission while following health restrictions.
“We're looking at doing some things possibly virtually, but that we'll have to take it day by day as things get reopened here and restrictions get lifted and see if we're able to carry on with some of those things,” Hinz said.
A larger effort on social media will be part of that adaptation. Already, the organization is placing warnings on their Facebook page. An example is warning people to beware on poisoning from household cleaning products as more people clean and have children at home.
Hinz also said Safe Communities was looking at holding smaller workshops that meet gathering restrictions.
As for Progressive Agriculture Safety Day, the Progressive Agriculture Foundation is already providing guidelines to deliver its programs in the current environment.
The organization’s positive ticketing program will also operate in a different manner this summer. Citizens are being encouraged to self-nominate or share photos of family, friends or teammates demonstrating safe behaviours in order to get a positive ticket they can exchange for prizes.
Paul Cockell, LeRoy’s fire chief, has been presented with the organization’s individual volunteer award.
“He’s been a long standing volunteer of ours with numerous programs,” Hinz said. “He's always very enthusiastic, a great presenter, very knowledgeable and great supporter of our initiatives, whether it's progressive agriculture safety day, or which preparedness clinics or senior symposium.”
The community partner award was presented to the Humboldt District Hospital emergency room department and the Humboldt District Hospital therapy department, both of which have been involved in Safe Communities since its inception.
