Message from the Judge: Memorial Day Travel Safety

Fulton County would like to remind everyone to stay safe and be responsible as we approach Memorial Day weekend. During this time of remembrance, it is important that we celebrate in a way that ensures the safety of our community.

If you plan on traveling during the holiday weekend, always follow traffic laws, never drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and be mindful of your surroundings.

Please keep in mind that as outdoor activities increase, possible driving distractions also increase. Distracted driving could be taking your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off driving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has the following tips for distracted driving:

• Do not multitask while driving (adjusting mirrors, selecting music, eating, making a phone call, or reading a text or email) - do it before or after your trip, not during.
• Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel and stop for frequent breaks to stretch, eat, etc.
• If you are a passenger in a car with a distracted driver, speak up and ask the driver to focus on driving.
• If you have a teen or young adult on the road, ensure they are familiar with the rules and responsibilities involved in driving.
• Reduce distractions for the driver by assisting with navigation or other tasks.

Travel safely and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Judge Kenneth G. Crow

 

Message from the Judge: Staying Safe for Summer

As we approach summer, Fulton County is preparing for one of the busiest times of the year. With more people outdoors and participating in activities, it is important that we take precautions to ensure the safety of our community. We congratulate all area graduates and wish them the best of luck in the future, whether away at college, into a career or somewhere in between!

We want to remind everyone to prioritize safety and responsibility during this season of relaxation and fun. Whether you are hiking, swimming, enjoying a neighborhood barbeque, or just spending time with family and friends, please be mindful of your surroundings and take steps to avoid accidents or injury.

Due to increased outdoor activities and travel during summer, remind all drivers in your family to follow traffic laws and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Please ensure everyone traveling in the vehicle is wearing their seatbelt and it is properly buckled.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the following tips for beating the heat:

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 (reapply as needed)
• Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle
• Pay attention to heat advisories
• Seek medical attention immediately for any signs of heat-related illness
• Take frequent water breaks
• Wear light clothing

For more information on safety and health during summertime, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fulton County wishes everyone a happy, safe, and healthy start to the summer season. Congratulations again to our graduates!

Judge Kenneth G. Crow

 

Message from the Judge: Cybersecurity for Kids

Fulton County wants to remind you that just like in real life, crimes occur online.

Children online present additional challenges because of their innocence, curiosity, and desire for independence. Common dangers encountered by children online are cyber predators, bullies, and identity theft.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has the following tips for parents on keeping their child safe online:

• Be involved - supervise your child's online activities while teaching them good computer habits (consider online activities you can work on together).
• Consider implementing parental controls - restrict or allow certain websites to be viewed on your computer using a password (you can set some parental controls within your browser).
• Keep lines of communication open - let your child know they can approach you with any questions or concerns about behaviors or problems they may have encountered online.
• Keep your computer in an open area - easily monitor your child's computer activity in a high-traffic area.
• Monitor computer activity - be aware of what your child is doing on online (which websites they are visiting, who/what they are emailing, etc.).
• Set rules and warn about dangers - ensure your child is aware of the boundaries of what they are allowed to do on the computer (boundaries should be appropriate for the child's age, knowledge, and maturity).

For more information on how to keep your child safe online, please visit the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. 

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has the following tips for kids on how to stay safe online:

• Keep your personal information private - avoid sharing your name, address, telephone number, birthday, passwords, and the name of your school when online.
• Keep it locked - always lock your device when you are not using it.
• Choose alternative screen names or email addresses - use a screen name or email address that isn't your real name (instead of "Jack Smith", use "Sk8boardKing75")
• Create strong passwords - include eight characters or more that use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols when creating passwords. Don't use the same password for multiple accounts, and never share your passwords with someone other than your parent or guardian.
• Speak up if you see something inappropriate - don't ignore inappropriate online content, tell an adult you trust.
• Think before you click - don't open emails from strangers and don't click on links for unfamiliar websites.

For more information on staying safe online, please view the Kids Cybersecurity Presentation from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Thank you for making our community a safer place to live and raise a family,

Judge Kenneth G. Crow