NIPAW 2013: "Be A Superhero In Your Home" Event

The Alliance for Consumer Education partnered with the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) and YMCA of Metropolitan Washington to host "Be A Superhero In Your Home" in recognition of National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week.

On Friday, March 22, 2013 around 200 children were at the YMCA Arlington to learn how to "Be A Superhero in Their Home".  The highlight of the event was a visit from Batman- a Poison Prevention Superhero!  Arriving in his 1966 replica Batmobile, Batman met with the children to give poison prevention advice like asking an adult before consuming something, not putting products that may harm you into your body, and by reading directions and labels to ensure products are being used in the correct way.

Children worked their way through the following seven stations to become a "Superhero in the Home".



PhD Station


Station 1: PhD Station:  The YMCA PhD On The Move Van had children running through obstacles to reach cones that featured two similiar looking pictures.  Children had to knock over the cone with the picture they thought was safe to consume.  




Superhero Masks Station

 

Station 2: Superhero Masks: Since children were becoming superheroes in the home, this station allowed children to create their own superhero identity by having them create a superhero mask. 




Which One Can I Taste? Station

 

Station 3: Which One Can I Taste?: Children were shown two   pictures of similar looking items.  One of the items is a consumable product that is ok to eat, while the other is a product from the home that serves a great purpose, but is something one should not eat.  Children were asked which they thought was safe to taste.  The children were able to see how similar items can look and if they are unsure of what something is they need to ask permission from an adult before touching or tasting. 




Safe to Taste Collages

 

 

Station 4: Safe to Taste Collage: Children searched through magazines and newspapers to find pictures of items that are safe to taste and not safe to taste.  They then added the images to group collage boards that were presented at the end of the event, as a visual reminder of what the kids learned throughout the day.



Batman meeting with CSPA
President Chris Cathcart and
his family during the Batman Station.



Station 5: Batman: Children had the opportunity to meet with Batman in a small group setting.  Batman explained why he is a Poison Prevention Superhero, and gave out Batman goodies to the kids!

Station 6: How Can I be a Superhero In The Home?: Children discussed and created a list of ways they can be poison prevention superheroes at home.  Relying on the information they had gathered throughout the other stations, children talked about ways to protect themselves and their families- like reading labels and asking before touching.

I Make a Good Superhero Because....



Station 7: I Make a GoodSuperhero in the Home Because...: Children chose one way they can be a superhero in the home and either drew or wrote what they will do. Children also signed "Thank you" posters to Batman thanking him for coming to the event. 




Thank you posters to Batman!

 

 

All children left with an ACE Goodie Bag which included Inhalant Abuse and Poison Prevention materials, YMCA materials, and a special gift bag from Batman!

For more pictures of the event please visit ACE's Facebook here. Also, for more information on NIPAW and inhalant abuse prevention please visit www.inhalant.org/NIPAW.



ACE at the AHR Expo

Diversified Booth with ACE materials.

A huge thank you to ACE Supporters Bill Frauenheim and Diversified CPC for representing ACE at the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigerating (AHR) Exposition; the event was from January 28-30th in Dallas, Texas. As a member of ACE, Bill has gone above and beyond in reaching out to spread awareness on inhalant abuse prevention.

The AHR Expo featured more than 51,000 attendees from the HVACR (Heating, Ventalation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigerant) industry.  Having ACE materials at the event allowed ACE to reach many new industry professionals that will be able to share these resources with their consumers.

Bill continuing to spread awareness on inhalant abuse prevention.

ACE materials were placed at the Diversified booth for all participants of the expo to browse and take. Bill was also present at the booth to answer any questions and inform participants of the importance of stepping up within the industry to help educate consumers on inhalant abuse.

Thank you Bill and Diversified for your continued support! 

Ace Clean Visits Arlington, Virginia Schools

 

ACE CLEAN VISITS ARLINGTON SCHOOLS 

Be Bold, Prevent a Cold! 

 

Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE) partnered with Arlington County Public Health Department, School Health Division to deliver a message of preventing the spread of disease to Arlington elementary students.

  

Can germs be seen on your hands?

 ACE's germ-fighting superhero, Ace Clean, and his nemesis-the genius behind germs, Professor Grime, visited ten Arlington elementary schools showing students how germs spread, how to prevent the spread of germs, and how to sneeze and cough correctly.  More than 4,000 students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade at Abingdon, Barcroft, Campbell, Carlin Springs, Drew Model, Glebe, Patrick Henry, Long Branch, Oakridge, and Tuckahoe Elementary saw the assemblies and were able to meet Ace Clean and Professor Grime. 

Ordering the germiest places in a classroom

Students saw an Adventures of Ace Clean video, participated in a "Germy, Glitter Spreading" activity, arranged the five germiest places in a classroom, saw the effects of a sneeze through "sneeze bottles," counted how long a sneeze stays in the air using baby powder, and played StopGerms Trivia to learn how to sneeze, how long to wash their hands, and other fun germ facts like how fast a sneeze travels! 

Ace Clean and Professor Grime after a presentation at Patrick Henry Elementary.

All students who saw the presentation also received a Be Bold, Prevent a Cold packet and a Marvel/ACE co-branded poster of Ace Clean and Iron Man fighting Professor Grime and his germs! 

ACE/Marvel Poster

Pictures from the presentations can be found on Ace Clean's Facbook page. Each school has their own individual album!

President Obama Declares December National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

For the third year in a row, President Obama has declared December as the National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Recognizing the vast number of deaths that occur each year from alcohol and illegal drug use while driving, the President hopes to "recommit to keeping our streets safe, families healthy, and communities strong."

In his Presidential proclamation on November 30th, 2012, Mr. Obama informs America that the number of driving accidents caused by illegal substance use is far to great, and that he is working hard to reduce the prevalence of these accidents. Some specific actions the President plans to take in efforts to eliminate these incidents include raising public awareness, improving impaired driving screening procedures, and giving law enforcement officials the training that they need.

The proclamation concludes with President Obama asking parents to talk with their kids about the dangers of impaired driving, and strategies they can use to stay safe.

For more information, check out the document from the President, here.

85% of Individuals in Farragut Square Report Washing their Hands Before Lunch

This past Wednesday, November 7^th, was a busy day for Ace Clean and his nemesis, Professor Grime. These two mascots from the Alliance for Consumer Education took to the streets of DC during lunchtime to education individuals in Farragut Square and the Golden Triangle area about disease prevention. Ace Clean and Professor Grime surveyed lunch goers on whether they had washed their hands before eating lunch that day. If the participant responded yes, they became an honorary member of the “Gleam Team,” and the individual took a picture with Ace Clean. If the participant did not wash their hands before lunch, he or she was considered “Grime Time” and received a picture with Professor Grime.

These two mascots ran around Farragut Square and the surrounding area for over an hour, and visited areas such as the Metro, various food trucks, and even the White House! Ace Clean and Professor Grime talked to businessmen and businesswomen on their lunch breaks, metro riders, government officials, and golden triangle workers. 

Ace Clean and Professor Grime outside the White House!

In addition to having their picture taken, participants also tallied whether they had or had not washed their hands on a poster board. When the day was complete, the scores were tallied and revealed that 85% of those surveyed washed their hands before eating lunch on Wednesday. While this is a great percentage of individuals who demonstrated proper hygiene…we can work to make this number higher!

Where do you think Ace Clean and Professor Grime should visit next? Visit our Facebook at www.facebook.com/AceClean1 and let us know!

ACE Clean at Farragut Square- Wednesday Nov 7th at Noon

On Wednesday, November 7^th, 2012, our disease prevention masot, Ace Clean, will be taking on the streets of DC to talk to the public about staying germ-free. Ace Clean and his team from the Alliance for Consumer Education will be visiting Farragut Square and the Golden Triangle area during lunchtime (around 12:00 p.m.). Not only will Ace be visiting various eateries such as Starbucks, Chop’t Salad, and more, but he will also be hanging out with different food trucks in the square. In addition, Ace will visit the Farragut West Metro and Bus stops.

So, what exactly is Ace going to do?

Ace Clean will be talking with business professionals and other individuals on break about their commitment to disease prevention. Ace will be taking pictures and signing autographs in the form of business cards, each which will be numbered. The Alliance for Consumer Education will be choosing a random number a few times throughout the month of November to win a prize! The card will also have a “call to action” in which participants can use twitter and other forms of social media to answer questions and become more involved in the public health discussion.

We hope you will join us in Farragut Square next Wednesday at lunchtime. Not only will you learn a lot about how to stay healthy (especially during the winter season), but you will also get to meet Ace and possibly win a prize.

See you there!

ACE and SADD Partner on National Inhalant Curriculum

New Guide Targeting Middle School Students & High School Peer Leaders Released

The Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE), in partnership with SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), has released an important new resource aimed at fighting inhalant abuse among our nation’s youth.    

The ACE/SADD “Inhalant Abuse Prevention: Facilitators Guide and Lesson Plan” targets middle school students led by high school peer leaders and is designed to educate the students on the dangers of “huffing” or using common household and commercial products to get high.

“We are excited about partnering with SADD on this important initiative,” said Colleen Creighton, Executive Director, Alliance for Consumer Education.  “Getting this valuable resource into use in SADD chapters in schools and communities across the country will be instrumental in helping to save lives.”

The program is designed as a series of activities in which students learn more about product abuse and how to avoid using inhalants. Students are encouraged to participate in practice exercises saying “no” to potential huffing interactions and gain knowledge on how to save others by reporting a potential incident. Not only does the program foster leadership within high school students, but it also leaves a long-lasting impact on their younger peers who seek positive and healthy advice.

"The power of positive peer pressure is the key to much of SADD chapters' power,” said Penny Wells, SADD President and Chief Executive Officer. “SADD high school members standing up and advocating for healthy lifestyles in front of middle school students has the potential for positive change in many ways, first encouraging good choices around abuse of inhalants, but beyond that, making good choices throughout their teen years."

The Inhalant Abuse Prevention Guidebook is divided into three parts: Facilitation Skills, Inhalant Prevention Discussion Guide, and Inhalant Prevention Activities. Each section builds on previous exercises to promote a comfortable and inclusive environment. After the completion of the program, both facilitators and students alike should have gained a wealth of knowledge on inhalant abuse, how to avoid it, and an overall feeling of empowerment to join the movement in prevention.

For more information on the program, or to request a Guidebook for use in your community, please visit our website at www.inhalant.org or to download the guide directly, click here.