Halloween Safety with Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton

By Ellen Cogen Lipton, State Representative, 27th House District
Friday, October 30, 2009

Welcome to my online newsletter. As your State Representative, I am here to work on your behalf in Lansing and our community. I hope this e-newsletter will be a helpful tool to let you know what I am working on and keep you informed on the important issues coming up at the Capitol.

Halloween Safety

It's that time of year when ghosts and goblins come out to trick-or-treat! Halloween can be great family fun, but please remember children's safety while out collecting treats.

• It's important to plan a safe trick-or-treating route during daylight hours on sidewalks in familiar neighborhoods.
• Young children should always be accompanied by an adult, a responsible older sibling or a group.
• Flashlights, glow sticks, or reflectors are always good to have on hand.
• Review basic safety with your child before departing, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, avoiding strangers and unfamiliar or unlit places.
• Always remember to check your child's treats before they eat them.
• Also supervise pumpkin carving: do not allow children to use sharp tools.
• Keep jack-o'-lanterns lit with candles far away from items that could catch fire.

With these tips, I hope you enjoy a fun and spook-tacular Halloween!

Energy Prize

The University of Michigan and a local energy provider are presenting a competition that will challenge teams of Michigan college students, entrepreneurs, researchers and business visionaries to develop a business plan to bring clean energy to the market in Michigan. Teams comprised of at least two people, including one college student, can compete by developing a business model for a product or service involving clean energy. A $100,000 prize will be awarded in spring 2010 for the best submission with prizes for qualifiers as well. Teams must register their intent to participate by Nov. 20. To learn more, click here.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program

Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) South has received further funding to increase its Emergency Food and Shelter Program services. The money, awarded by the federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, will help provide Oakland County families with groceries and food certificates. OLHSA provides food to residents once every 30 days at their Ferndale location, 345 E. Nine Mile Road. For information, contact and hours OLHSA at (248) 542-5860.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and chances are that you or someone important to you has been affected by this tragic disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 200,000 cases of breast cancer in the United States are diagnosed annually, with 40,000 of those resulting in death.

One of the best and most important ways that we can beat this disease is with early detection. No matter how high their risk factor, women should begin self-examinations by age 20. Women in their 20s and 30s also should begin receiving breast examinations by a qualified health provider every three years. After age 40, this examination should be given every year, in addition to a yearly mammogram.

If you cannot afford cancer screenings, the Michigan Department of Community Health has a comprehensive Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) that will help you get cancer screenings and follow-up care. For more information, you can contact the BCCCP toll-free at (800) 922-MAMM or by visiting its Web site.

My Door is Always Open

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I or my staff can be of assistance to you or your family, or if you would like to express an opinion or concern. My toll-free number is (888) DIST-027, or you can e-mail me at ellenlipton@house.mi.gov.

Sincerely,
Ellen Cogen Lipton

State Representative, 27th District
Website: http://lipton.housedems.com, http://www.voteforellen.org
Email: ellenlipton@house.mi.gov
Phone: 888-DIST-027, 517-373-0478