Mountain Lake Police Department reported 24 calls from September 15th to September 21st. Officers assisted other agencies with accidents, arrests, disabled vehicles, and use of the K-9 Unit. Officers took reports on harassment, driving complaints and a suspicious person. Officers took a report of fake currency being passed on at a local business and this remains under investigation. For a full listing of all calls from the Mountain Lake Police Department click on link below.
Mountain Lake Police Department September 15th to September 21st
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Windom Community Education is offering a 55+ Defensive Driver Training course on Monday, October 6th, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Highland Building, 68 10th Street in Windom. The class, taught by instructor Kathy Pederson, is designed for drivers age 55 and older who want to refresh their driving skills. Participants who complete the course will receive a certificate, which makes them eligible for an auto insurance discount. Pre-registration is required. To sign up, call Caitlyn at 507-831-6910, extension 513.
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September 21st to the 27th is Child Passenger Safety Week. This week is meant as an important reminder for parents and caregivers to make sure kids are buckled up properly every ride, every time. According to Jessica Krick with Krick Insurance Agency says too many families may not realize their car seats aren’t being used correctly and went on to say according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 46 percent of car seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness. Krick stated it’s worth taking a few minutes to double-check that everything is installed and adjusted correctly. according to office of Traffic Safety simple steps go a long way: make sure your child is in the right seat for their age, height, and weight… the seat should be tightly installed with little movement at the base… straps should be flat and snug with the chest clip at armpit level… and if you’re unsure, you can always visit a certified inspection station for help. Cottonwood County Sheriff Jason Purrington also stressed the importance of proper restraint. Purrington stated, “Be an attentive driver and always buckle up, always secure your children in the proper restraint for their age, height, and weight.” Minnesota law now requires children to remain rear-facing until at least age two… forward-facing with a harness until they outgrow it… and then in a booster seat until at least age nine, or until they can pass the five-step test for using a seat belt correctly.
That test makes sure the seat belt actually fits:
- The child sits all the way back against the vehicle seat.
- Knees bend over the edge of the seat.
- The lap belt rests snug across the hips, not the stomach.
- The shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck.
- And the child can stay seated correctly without slouching for the whole ride.
Children under 13 should ride in the back seat whenever possible. Sheriff Purrington reminds families, car seats remain the best way to keep children safe in vehicles. Des Moines Valley Public Health Supervisor Erin Behnke stated that they have nine individuals within the office that have National Certification for being Car Seat Techs. They all have the expertise to look at car seats, make sure they are installed correctly or help to install them. Behnke went onto say that there is a program for anyone that is on Medical Assistance on Blue Plus or Prime West that they can get a free car seat for their child for each stage of the childs life and they give car seat, help install the seats and also give education. If you are in need of car seat help, call Des Moines Valley Public Health at 507-831-1987 to make an appointment. In my opinion, children are our greatest blessings, and we should protect them in every shape and form possible. One of the simplest, yet most important ways we can do that is by making sure they are properly buckled up every single time they get into a vehicle. It only takes a moment, but it could save their life.