VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 FALL 2016

This quarterly newsletter is provided to the students, faculty, and staff of Wayne Community College by its Safety Committee.

Safety Hero - Capt. Warren BakerWarren Baker, a captain with Wayne Community College’s Campus Police and Security Department, laughs a lot while talking to students and his fellow employees. Not only does it make his days lighter, but laughter also breaks down walls, he said.

Diminishing barriers is how he sees his job; “It’s about community relations, not being hard core,” Baker said. He wants people to feel comfortable with his presence, not wary.

He was a WCC student not that long ago, having earned Detention Officer certification in 2001 and graduating from Basic Law Enforcement Training in 2010. “It puts things in a differ-ent perspective,” Baker said. “With students it allows me to put myself in their position and try to talk at their level.”

Listening, caring, and a good attitude also make him an effective officer, he believes.

“This vest, uniform, and car do not make the officer,” he said. “It comes from within. It is the communication, the training, wanting to do the right thing.”

Baker has also shown that he has the mettle to deal with the worst of situations. When the campus experienced a shooting in April 2015, he was the first per-son on the scene. The captain took the steps necessary to make sure all threats were mini-mized without hesita-tion. “When something happens, you kick it up a notch,” he said.

For these reasons and more, Capt. Warren Baker is a “WCC Safety Hero.” Capt. Warren Baker shares a laugh with students.

SafeWAYNEReady or Not, It’s FallAs the transition season, fall can bring any and every kind of weather from hurricanes to snow. Here are some tips for coping with this manic season.

Check the weather fore-cast daily, not just for that day, but also the long-range predictions.Prepare for anything. Review your family and communication plans and revise your emer-gency supplies kit to add cold-weather specific items. Check your supply of extra batteries and put fresh ones in flashlights and your NOAA weather radio.Download the apps from FEMA and the American Red Cross that provide weather alerts and pre-paredness checklists.Make sure your yard, house, and car are ready for whatever kind of weath-er tomorrow brings.

Protect Your Online Security On The GoAlmost all Americans, regardless of age, are using mobile devices. Often, mobile devices are used for sensitive activi-ties, including banking, online shopping and social network-ing. Some of these activities require users to provide personal information such as their names, account numbers, address-es, email addresses and passwords. Moreover, apps routinely ask for access to information stored on the device, including location information.

In addition, the use of unsecured, public Wi-Fi hotspots has increased dramatically over the past few years. These networks are accessible on airplanes, in coffee shops, shop-ping malls and at sporting events. While continued access provides us with more flexibility and convenience to stay connected no matter where we are, it can also make us more susceptible to exposure.

The more we travel and access the Internet on the go, the more risks we face on our mobile devices. No one is exempt from the threat of cyber crime, at home or on the go, but you can follow these simple tips to stay safe online when connect-ing to the Internet from a mobile device.

Think Before You Connect. Before you connect to any public Wi-Fi hotspot–like on an airplane or in an airport, hotel, train/bus station or café-be sure to confirm the name of the network and exact login procedures with appropriate staff to ensure that the network is legitimate. Using your mobile network connection is generally more secure than using a public Wi-Fi network.

Guard Your Mobile Device. In order to prevent theft, unau-thorized access and loss of sensitive information, never leave

your mobile devices–including any USB or external storage devices–unattended in a public place. While on travel, if you plan on leaving any devices in your hotel room, be sure those items are appropriately secured.

Keep It Locked. The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) recommends locking your device when you are not using it. Even if you only step away for a few minutes, that is enough time for someone to steal or destroy your information. Use strong PINs and passwords to prevent others from accessing your device.

Update Your Mobile Software. Treat your mobile device like your home or work computer. Keep your operating system software and apps updated, which will improve your device’s ability to defend against malware.

Only Connect to the Internet If Needed. Disconnect your device from the Internet when you aren’t using it and make sure your device isn’t programmed to automatically connect to Wi-Fi. The likelihood that attackers will target you becomes much higher if your device is always connected.

Know Your Apps. Be sure to thoroughly review the details and specifications of an application before you download it. Be aware that the app may request that you share your per-sonal information and permissions. Delete any apps that you are not using to increase your security.

The information on this page was provided by Stop.Think.Connect.TM , a national public awareness campaign aimed at empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. The campaign’s main objective is to help you become more aware of growing cyber threats and arm you with the tools to protect yourself, your family and your community. For more information, visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect.

You’ve seen the little one who, if pushed backward, is in dan-ger of being stranded on his back like a turtle. It is obvious his backpack is too heavy.

By the time they are high school and college students, they’ll sling their backpack over one shoulder in an attempt to look carefree. But now that backpack has a laptop in it, along with a few hardcover books that weigh 10 pounds each.

Backpacks aren’t the domain of the student anymore. More and more people are using daily them to haul life’s “stuff” – a tablet, after-work work, sneakers, former purse contents, and maybe lunch.

What is the price of miswearing and overloading these up-scale rucksacks? Rounded shoulders, curved spines, muscle strains, pinched nerves, impeded circulation, and shoulder, neck and back pain.

Other backpack-related injuries include falling because of lost balance, being smacked by one when the owner is unaware of how far the bag protrudes from his body, and tripping over bags dropped on the floor by exhausted owners.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 14,424 Americans, including 5,062 children under the age of 19, sought medical treatment for backpack injuries in 2014.

An earlier (2008) Boston University study showed that around 85 percent of university students will admit to discomfort and pain from backpack usage.

Solutions can be found in buying the right backpack and pack-ing and wearing it correctly.

The American Academy of Pediatrics makes these basic recommendations (not just for children).

● “Choose an appropriately sized* backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.

● “Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its com-partments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight.

● “Always use both shoulder straps. Adjust the pack so that the bottom sits at the waist.”

Other suggestions include

● Backpacks with multiple compartments allow for better distribution of the weight.

● Bend at the knees when lifting the backpack.

● Children should never wear the backpack over just one shoulder. If older persons insist on slinging their bags over one shoulder, they should alternate shoulders.

● If the pack has them, wear the sternum and/or hip belt when walking longer distances.

● Adjust the shoulder straps so the pack is snug against the back.

● Take the backpack off and set it down when standing for long periods.

● If the backpack is too heavy and no items can be discard-ed, carry some things in your arms.

Other good ideas

● If possible, get a bag with reflective stripes or other reflec-tive material or embellishments.

● Don’t print or embroider a young child’s name on the bag where a malicious stranger could see it.

* For children, the top should be above the neck and the width should be less than the child’s shoulders. For older students and adults, the top of the backpack should be from 2 inches below the shoulder blades. For all, ideally the bottom of the bag should be at the waist or in the curve of the back, and it never should hang more than 4 inches below the waist.

For Your Back’s Sake, Buy the Right Pack

If You Are a Victim of Online Crime ● Immediately notify your local authorities and file a

complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

● If you think a site has collected your personal infor-mation in a way that violates the law, report it to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint.

● If someone has had inappropriate contact over the Internet with you or someone you know, report it to www.cybertipline.com and they will coordinate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local authorities.

Your Safety CommitteeChair - Janet Sumner, Executive Assistant for

Administrative ServicesMarielle Blizzard, Allied Health and Public Ser-

vices Ryan Bradshaw, Business and Computer Tech-

nologiesWillie Brinson, Chief of Campus Police and

SecurityDeric Copes, Student ServicesBeverly Deans, Public Safety Division ChairEd Farris, Facilities and Grounds SuperintendentRicky Featherston, Administrative ServicesCharles Gaylor, Associate Vice President of

Human Resources, Safety, and ComplianceSteve Herring, Wayne Business and Industry

CenterTara Humphries, Public Information OfficerJonathan Jernigan, Applied TechnologiesChad Pate, Applied TechnologiesManoj Patel, Allied Health and Public ServicesMichael Smith, Arts and SciencesAngela Wiggs, Continuing Education Services

The purpose of the Safety Committee is to• promote the safety, health and general

well-being of the students, employees, and guests by developing, reviewing and updat-ing Safety Policies/Procedures

• oversee quarterly safety inspections of all college facilities

• provide oversight for the Emergency Re-sponse Team, Evacuation Assistance Team, First Aid Team, Fire Brigade, Weather Watch Team, Traffic Control Team, and other emer-gency or crisis teams needed for the safety of the campus

• develop and conduct campus training pro-grams, drills and simulations

• ensure continuing compliance with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation

It has the authority to make safety recommen-dations to the Vice President of Administrative Services and the President’s Council.

WCC Safety Fair

More than 300 students and employees visited the 30 exhibitors at the college’s fourth annual Safety Fair on Sept. 28. Members of the public joined students for Na-tional Weather Service SkyWarn training that afternoon. Pictured are (clockwise in blue) WCC Public Information Officer shares personal preparedness tips, Emergency Medical Services Coordinator demonstrates CPR, Wayne County Cooperative Exten-sion Agent talks about proper food handling, and the Mental Health Association of Wayne County manages a lively crowd of students.

WCC was well represented at KidsFest on Sept. 24. The safety and health event aimed at children is held an-nually at Berkeley Mall. Clockwise in yellow are: Billy, sporting his Bison Response Team vest, visits with Goldsboro Police officers; Early Childhood Education Instructor uses a game to teach about bul-lying; Criminal Justice Club Member serves as a crossing guard; and Criminal Justice Staff and Student fingerprint a child for an IDentiKid card.

Promoting Safety on Campus and in the Community

KidsFest

Falls are the third leading cause of unintentional death in the U.S., accounting for nearly 32,000 deaths in 2014, according to Injury Facts 2016®.

In homes and communities, more than 31,000 people died in a fall in 2014. In the workplace, nearly 600 people died and 47,000 were injured in 2013.

Fall Prevention Tips ● Clean up all spills immediately. ● Stay off freshly mopped floors. ● Secure electrical and phone cords out of traffic areas. ● Remove small throw rugs or use non-skid mats to keep

them from slipping. ● Keep frequently used items in easily reachable areas. ● Wear shoes with good support and slip-resistant soles. ● Arrange furniture to provide open walking pathways. ● Keep drawers and cabinet doors closed at all times. ● Install handrails on all staircases on both sides. ● Remove tripping hazards (paper, boxes,books, clothes,

toys, shoes) from stairs and walkways. ● If you have young children, install gates at the top and

bottom of stairs (unlatch the gate in order to pass – don’t climb over it).

● Ensure adequate lighting both indoors and outdoors. ● Remove debris from exterior walkways. ● Adjust gutter downspouts to drive water away from path-

ways. ● Periodically check the condition of walkways and steps,

and repair damages immediately. ● Never stand on a chair, table or other surface on wheels.

Ladder Safety ● Always keep at least three points of contact with the

ladder (i.e. two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand).

● Place the base on a firm, solid surface. ● A straight or extension ladder should be placed 1 foot

away from the surface it rests against for every 4 feet of ladder height.

● When you climb, always face the ladder and grip the rungs, not the side rails.

● Climb down a ladder one rung at a time.

● Do not climb with tools in hand – use a tool belt. ● Keep your body between the ladder side rails when

climbing. ● Do not lean or overreach – reposition the ladder closer to

the work instead. ● Tie down a ladder when using it outdoors and do not use

it in windy or inclement weather.

Used with permission of the National Safety Council and the Office of Compli-ance, US Congress, Legislative Branch

The National Safety Council saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads, through leadership, research, education and advocacy. To learn more about the National Safety Council, go to www.nsc.org.

Common Locations for Falls ● Doorways ● Ramps ● Cluttered hallways ● Areas with heavy traffic ● Uneven surfaces ● Areas prone to

wetness or spills ● Unguarded heights ● Unstable work

surfaces ● Ladders ● Stairs

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15 percent of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities.”

The Dangers of Falls, Slips, and Trips