education

Experts Stress Motorcycle Safety as Summer Riding Season Begins

With the arrival of summer, motorcycle enthusiasts are gearing up for long rides and thrilling adventures on the open road. However, safety experts are urging riders to prioritize safety precautions to prevent accidents and injuries.

Summer months typically see an increase in motorcycle fatalities. To promote safe riding, experts recommend wearing Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmets, protective clothing, and completing safety courses.

Regular motorcycle maintenance, including checking tires, brakes, and lights, is crucial to prevent mechanical failures. Additionally, riders should make themselves visible to other motorists by wearing brightly colored clothing and using reflective materials.

Obeying traffic laws, being mindful of weather conditions, and sharing the road responsibly are also essential for a safe riding experience. 

Drivers of cars and trucks should always be mindful of motorcycle riders and give them proper space when following behind, and to respect the rules of the road to prevent unnecessary accidents.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Rep. Greg Alexander Taking A Stand Against The Sexual Transitioning Of Children

State Rep. Greg Alexander, of Carsonville, is taking a stand to protect the welfare of children and families throughout Michigan by opposing proposed regulations that he considers burdensome.

House Bills 4616-17 and Senate Bills 348-49 aim to impose stricter rules on mental health professionals who provide clinical support beyond affirming an individual’s desired sexual orientation or gender identity, or simply endorsing social or medical transitions.

Alexander argues that these bills could lead to minors making life-altering decisions that will impact them long-term. He believes that parents, in conjunction with qualified professionals who work with families, are better equipped to make crucial decisions regarding a child’s development and future, as opposed to legislators in Lansing who may be influenced by radical political agendas.

The proposed legislation would encompass various mental health professionals, including physicians, psychologists, registered professional nurses, licensed social workers or counselors, and marriage or family therapists.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Blue Water Area YMCA’s Camp Wanacombak Offers Fun-Filled Summer Experience for Kids

The Blue Water Area YMCA is offering its Camp Wanacombak to children seeking an exciting summer vacation experience.

The summer program includes exciting field trips, age-appropriate group activities, STEAM engagement, learning loss prevention activities, special events, and swimming at the YMCA. The camp ensures a perfect balance of indoor and outdoor experiences, keeping young minds active and engaged.

The 2023 session of Camp Wanacombak will run from June 19th to September 1st, Monday through Friday, with camp hours from 7 am – 6 pm. The program is open to children who have completed kindergarten up to those who have completed 6th grade.

Camp Wanacombak is made possible through the donations of community members and residents from the Blue Water Area. 

If you would like to help support this program and the many others offered by the Blue Water Area YMCA, feel free to volunteer or donate to the Open Arms Campaign by visiting bluewaterymca.org/open-arms.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

5 Tips To Keep Children Safe Around the Pool This Summer

As summer approaches and families head to the water, it’s crucial to prioritize child swim safety. Here are five important tips to keep children safe around water:

  1. Constant Supervision: Always keep a close eye on children near water. Designate an adult as a designated “water watcher” as it only takes seconds for an accident to occur.
  2. Learn to Swim: Enroll children in swimming lessons taught by certified instructors like our friends at the Blue Water Area YMCA. 
  3. Use Proper Safety Gear: Ensure children wear appropriate flotation devices, such as life jackets, especially if they are inexperienced swimmers. However, remember that flotation devices are not a substitute for supervision.
  4. Secure Pool Area: Install fences, gates, and pool covers to prevent unsupervised access to the pool. 
  5. Educate Kids About Water Safety: Teach children about the dangers of water and establish rules, such as no running near the pool and no swimming alone. 

By following these child swim safety tips, families can enjoy a fun and safe summer season in and around the water.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Impact of Social Media on Children Raises Concerns

The usage of social media among children has become a topic of growing concern. Recent research highlights the potential harm associated with excessive social media use, taking into account various factors such as the amount of time spent, content exposure, and the disruption of essential activities like sleep and physical exercise. 

Studies reveal that adolescents spending more than three hours daily on social media face twice the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety. Alarmingly, a 2021 survey found that teenagers, on average, spend 3.5 hours per day on social media.

Social media can perpetuate body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparison, and low self-esteem, particularly among adolescent girls. Many girls aged 11-15 admit to feeling “addicted” to specific platforms, and a majority of teenagers find it challenging to give up social media. 

For more information, read U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health.  

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Learn about Genetic Biomarker Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease with Dr. Scott Roberts

On Friday, June 2nd, from 1:00pm – 2:00pm at the Auditorium of the Municipal Office Center, located at 100 McMorran Blvd, Port Huron, Dr. Scott Roberts, a distinguished professor from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, will present on Genetic Biomarker Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease.

As an expert in ethical and psychosocial aspects of genetic testing, Dr. Roberts has extensively researched participants’ motivations, psychological impacts, and health behavior changes associated with disclosing genetic test information. 

His work spans various contexts, including Alzheimer’s disease, hereditary cancer syndromes, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, and workplace wellness programs. He also focuses on mental health, aging, and public education about brain health.

Additionally, this course provides 1.0 Free Social Work Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Social workers interested in obtaining CEUs should have their license number ready when registering.

The event is free, but registration is required. To register, visit: scccmh.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell