Month: August 2013

Free Childhood Immunization Extravaganza

Thursday, August 22, 2013

The Houston Fire Department (HFD) and the Care Van Program are teaming up again to provide Houston area children with free childhood immunizations for children 4 – 18 years whose families have no insurance, are underinsured or are on Medicaid. Children with CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) or private insurance will not be accepted.

Back-To-School Immunization Extravaganza

Thursday, August 22, 2013 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

HFD Val Jahnke Training Facility

8030 Braniff        

Houston 77061 (just south of Hobby Airport)    

Important note: For each clinic, a parent or adult guardian must accompany the child(ren) and provide the updated immunization records for each child.

To download a printable copy of the 2013 Immunization Extravaganza that includes a map to the location, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/citizensnet/2013immunizationextravaganza.pdf.

For additional information visit www.houstonfire.org, www.carevan.org or contact HPD Public Affairs Division at hfdpaevents@houstontx.gov or 832.394.6633.

Working smoke detectors save lives. It’s just that simple. Test yours today!

With students returning to school very soon, the Houston Police Department reminds all motorists to pay close attention when driving through school zones.  Officers will be out in school zones enforcing the speed limits.  Anytime you see a school bus, use extra caution since children may dart out into traffic either getting on or off the bus.  For some of these children, it is their first time going to school and they may not be familiar with guidelines they should follow.

Motorists can receive significant fines for speeding through school zones or passing a school bus with flashing lights.  Speeding citations in a school zone can result in a $220 fine.

Safety tips for children and parents include: 

1.      Children should not talk to strangers.  Advise children how to handle a situation in which someone attempts to lure them with prizes or tries to abduct them

2.      Teach children bicycle safety tips while riding to and from school

3.      Be aware of potential problems that can arise when children are home by themselves

4.      Whenever possible find qualified caregivers for before and after school care

For more “Back to School Safety Tips”, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/police/pdfs/back2school.pdf.

To learn more about HPD, visit http://www.houstonpolice.org/

Back to School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend; Safety Tips; Free Immunizations

Time for Back to School Shopping

Sales Tax Holiday Weekend August 9-11, 2013

It is important to making sure our kids are all prepared to start the year out right on the first day of school.   Being prepared is key to having an optimal learning environment. Mayor Annise Parker wants all Houstonians to take advantage of this weekend’s back-to-school tax-free shopping holiday to help ensure students are ready to learn. From clothing and shoes to school supplies, most products under $100 will not be taxed. Exceptions include anything bought by mail, online or by telephone.

Qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100)

More information may be found on the Texas Comptroller’s website, http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/taxholiday/d/, including a full list of qualifying clothing, shoes and other items that will be tax exempt.

For questions email mayor@houstontx.gov or call the Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office at 832.393.0955.