• Fireworks Safety

• Benefits Corner

• Employee Assistance Program

• General Water Safety Tips

• Summer Safety Tips

• Fitness Center Discounts
  for MISD Staff

• Water Aerobics

General Water Safety Tips

Splashing, wading, and paddling - it must mean a great day in the water. Playing at the beach, at a water park, by a lake, or in a pool can be a real treat on a hot day. Swimming is a lot of fun, but drowning is a real danger. Let's find out how to stay safe in the water.

• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

• Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.

• Read and obey all rules and posted signs.

• Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.

• Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

• Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).

• Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth charges, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices.

• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

• Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.

• Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.

• Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.

• Known how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.

http://www.redcross.org/

Summer Safety Tips

According to the National Weather Service, an average of 175 Americans are killed each year by summer heat. Of the many types of severe weather — hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, lighting — only one natural hazard is more deadly than high temperatures: winter cold. And in some years, heat is the bigger killer. More than 1,250 people died nationwide during the devastating U.S. heat wave of 1980. As recently as 1995, 465 heat-related deaths were reported in Chicago during a 16-day period.

As in all dangerous weather conditions, prevention and preparation are the keys to avoiding tragedy. The Red Cross recommends the following steps to prevent heat illness during a heat wave:

• Protect your skin: Sunlight contains two kinds of UV rays -- UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor containing a high rating such as 15.

• Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body.

• Watch for signs of heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red, and dry skin; changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, and rapid, shallow breathing. Call 9-1-1 or your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.

• Wear eye protection: Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays. Be sure to wear sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.

Water Aerobics

Wellness...a way of life!

The American traditions of parades, cookouts, and fireworks help us celebrate the summer season, especially our nation's birthday on the Fourth of July. However, fireworks can turn a joyful celebration into a painful memory when children and adults are injured while using fireworks. Although legal consumer fireworks that comply with the CPSC regulations can be relatively safe, all fireworks are hazardous and can cause injury. Fireworks are classified as hazardous substances under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that in 2002 about 8,800 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks. Over half the injuries were burns and most of the injuries involved the hands, eyes, and head. About half of the victims were under 15 years of age.

Fireworks should be used only with extreme caution. Older children should be closely supervised, and younger children should not be allowed to play with fireworks.

Before using fireworks, make sure they are permitted in your state or local area. Many states and local governments prohibit or limit consumer fireworks, formerly known as class C fireworks, which are common fireworks and firecrackers sold for consumer use.

To help consumers use fireworks more safely, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these recommendations:

• Do not allow young children to play with fireworks under any circumstances. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.

• Older children should only be permitted to use fireworks under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.

• Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from houses, dry leaves or grass and flammable materials.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that don't go off.

• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.

• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.

• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

• Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.

• Observe local laws.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting

• Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/012.html

The District's self funded health/dental plan has access to the Texas True Choice, Inc, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network of medical providers through Mutual of Omaha.  Out-of-pocket costs are usually lower when a participating provider within this network is selected.       

The District has been notified by South Texas Health System that effective July 1, 2005, their facilities, including McAllen Medical Center, Edinburg Regional Medical Center, McAllen Heart Hospital, South Texas Behavioral Center and South Texas Rehabilitation Pavilion, will not be contracted with Texas True Choice, Inc.  Effective July 1, 2005, these facilities will be out-of-network providers.    

The following is a listing of hospitals that are considered in-network providers.

• Rio Grande Regional Hospital, 101 E Ridge, McAllen,TX  78503

• Mission Medical Center, 900 S Bryan Rd, Mission, TX  78572

• Knapp Medical Center, 1401 E 8th St, Weslaco, TX  78596

• Valley Baptist Medical Center, 2101 Pease St, Harlingen, TX  78550

• Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, 5501 McColl Rd, Edinburg, TX  78539 (effective July 1, 2005)

From time to time, providers will be added or discontinue their participation.  Prior to receiving treatment, be sure to ask the providers if they are still a participating provider.

Using an in-network doctor can mean more money in your wallet. Because the preferred providers in the network have contracted to provide their services at pre-negotiated rates, you can save money through reduced deductibles and/or lower coinsurance payments. Typically, by using preferred or in-network providers, you help control your out- of- pocket health care expenses.

It’s easy to check to see if your doctor is in the nationwide network. Or, if you don’t have a doctor, you can find an in-network doctor who is close to your home or work – your choice.  You can search by medical specialty, office location or other criteria.

Here’s how:

• Visit mutualofomaha.com and select “Customers”

• Under General Information, select “Provider Directories”

• Select “Provider Directories Online”

Or click here to connect directly to the “Provider Directories Online”

Then, just follow the onscreen directions to find a doctor best suited for you and your family.

Mr. Andres Silva is the Director of Employee Benefits/Risk Management

Statistics prove regular exercise can help reduce, stress, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also improve circulation, weight management, muscle tone, self - esteem, and osteoporosis, so what are we waiting for, lets get started.

There are two fitness centers that offer group discounts for MISD employees.

Have a great workout!