I watched a TV program about Amazing Christmas Light Displays. They were huge and beautifu, however, think of all the extra electricity this requires. Do not overload your circuits or your extension cords. Do not hesitate to contact an electrician if you blow a fuse or are concerned about the strain your light display may be placing on your system.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Safer Child Products
Christmas may be over, but many families keep their trees and lights up until after New Year’s. Also, it is still Hanukkah and many families are lighting candles. Never leave burning candles unattended, be sure to remove dish towels, and wooden serving utensils from area around candles. Stay alert to the condition and freshness of your tree. Keep water in the tree stand. Dry trees are more likely to catch fire. http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/story/2011-12-19/Christmas-trees-and-trappings-can-fan-fire-risk/52065596/1
I watched a TV program about Amazing Christmas Light Displays. They were huge and beautifu, however, think of all the extra electricity this requires. Do not overload your circuits or your extension cords. Do not hesitate to contact an electrician if you blow a fuse or are concerned about the strain your light display may be placing on your system.
I watched a TV program about Amazing Christmas Light Displays. They were huge and beautifu, however, think of all the extra electricity this requires. Do not overload your circuits or your extension cords. Do not hesitate to contact an electrician if you blow a fuse or are concerned about the strain your light display may be placing on your system.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Safer Child Products
There has been a lot of concern about Child Obesity lately and whether overweight children are more likely to be injured in a crash than smaller children.
According to a study published in the journal PEDIATRICS Vol 128, Number 6, December 2011 “The risk of clinically significant injuries was NOT associated with weight across a broad weight range in this sample of children in MVC’s who were using child restraint systems.”
This is very reassuring, but let’s not forget that we need need to keep our children properly restrained in a Child Restraint appropriate for their height and weight. Be sure to get your car seat checked to be sure that it is secure.
For a car seat inspection station near you go to http://www.seatcheck.org/
Monday, December 12, 2011
Safer Child Products
As the weather gets colder and mornings are frosty, many of us wonder how to fit the kids into their car seats with their warm fluffy coats on. Well, the answer is don’t! Puffy Jackets have no place in the car seat. If possible, warm up the car OUTSIDE the garage. Keep blankets in the car that you can put over your child once they are buckled in the car seat. Also, they can wear their jacket backwards, so that it can warm their arms and body without interfering with the harness straps.
Puffy jackets take up space between the body and the harness, and even when you think the straps are tight, they are likely only tight to the jacket. In an impact, instead of being held tight in the seat, the jacket will compress and the child will be thrust against the harness.
An alternative is to unzip the jacket and pull the sides out from underneath the straps. Pull the jacket flaps to the side and tighten the harness to the body.
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/340181/group/Life/
Puffy jackets take up space between the body and the harness, and even when you think the straps are tight, they are likely only tight to the jacket. In an impact, instead of being held tight in the seat, the jacket will compress and the child will be thrust against the harness.
An alternative is to unzip the jacket and pull the sides out from underneath the straps. Pull the jacket flaps to the side and tighten the harness to the body.
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/340181/group/Life/
Monday, December 5, 2011
Safer Child Products
Some days I feel like I live in my car. Between running to the gym, to school, to shop, after school activities, appointments, etc. We are always busy. I always keep pencils in my car incase one of the kids needs to start HW in the car, or I need to make myself a note. However, one of my pet peeves is that my purse (and whatever else is on the passenger’s seat) inevitably end up on the floor. No matter how carefully I try to drive, there are windy roads and short stops that send things flying. I need to be sure to keep my purse zipped, but this is small potatoes.
I worry about all the other stuff that is thrown into the car. When my daughter was little, she had a soft car toy, or so I thought. It was great because it had a steering wheel, a mirror, and a shifter and horn. However, I did not realize that the bottom was hard. Fortunately, no one was hurt and we learned that it was still better to remove it from the car and stick to completely soft toys. I have even noticed when I am driving alone that our booster seats slide. I know I’ve been advised to keep them buckled so that they don’t become a projectile. What projectiles do you have in your car? When you go grocery shopping, do you put things on the seat next to the kids? When you go to the library, where do you put the books? I am lucky if I remember to bring a bag with me.
If you keep in mind that the stuff in our cars will keep moving even after you have breaked, you will want to be sure that anything that is loose or on the seat is soft and will not hurt anyone if it goes flying. Take the weight of the item and multiply it by the speed at which you are travelling, and that is the force at which the object will hit something. Be sure to secure packages in the trunk, or at least on the floor wells in the car. Keep things in the front when you can, since they will not travel backwards and hit the kids that way. It is simple enough, but not something to be taken lightly.
I worry about all the other stuff that is thrown into the car. When my daughter was little, she had a soft car toy, or so I thought. It was great because it had a steering wheel, a mirror, and a shifter and horn. However, I did not realize that the bottom was hard. Fortunately, no one was hurt and we learned that it was still better to remove it from the car and stick to completely soft toys. I have even noticed when I am driving alone that our booster seats slide. I know I’ve been advised to keep them buckled so that they don’t become a projectile. What projectiles do you have in your car? When you go grocery shopping, do you put things on the seat next to the kids? When you go to the library, where do you put the books? I am lucky if I remember to bring a bag with me.
If you keep in mind that the stuff in our cars will keep moving even after you have breaked, you will want to be sure that anything that is loose or on the seat is soft and will not hurt anyone if it goes flying. Take the weight of the item and multiply it by the speed at which you are travelling, and that is the force at which the object will hit something. Be sure to secure packages in the trunk, or at least on the floor wells in the car. Keep things in the front when you can, since they will not travel backwards and hit the kids that way. It is simple enough, but not something to be taken lightly.
See the following article to see what happened to this little boy from a soft spouted sippy cup.
http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/120581/Almost_Deadly_Sippy_Cup_Incident Monday, November 28, 2011
Safer Child Products
I recently read an article referring to recalls and warnings about the Bumbo baby seat. Many parents have been using the Bumbo on chairs and other elevated surfaces. Then babies were falling and sustaining skull fractures. Not good. So, I was thinking about it. I know that Bumbo was intended for use on the floor to support a baby in an upright position once they can hold up their head. I have read the box. That being said, my husband and I realize that we do not always read directions included in packaging because a product’s use and function seems obvious. I’m sure that is what was happening with the Bumbo as well. People think they know how to use it, maybe it was a gift or even a hand me down, with no box! It certainly looks like it could be a booster that would sit on a chair, and wouldn’t it be nice to have baby in an upright position for a change?
Allen and I are very safety conscious. We always buckled the seat belts in the high chair and stroller, and always buckled tightly the booster seat w/ tray to the chair. However, I know many parents do not feel the need to take that extra step. They certainly mean no harm by it, but they probably do not think it’s necessary. Either they “know” that their child isn’t going to go anywhere, or they want their toddler to be able to climb out when they are ready. It makes me nervous to see a child climbing out of the stroller while it is moving, and I’ve seen kids get tangled trying to climb out of a booster seat at the table. The height of a high chair frightens me, because surely there would be injuries if a child fell from that height, were they not buckled in. I am not passing judgment. I am just reflecting on common practice.
My final thought is this. Babies are very wiggly. They do have control yet of their bodies. You never know when the baby is going to decide to kick or squirm or throw their weight and if the bouncy seat or infant carrier (or Bumbo) is up on the table, then they are likely to fall off. Please keep all baby seats on the floor and supervise them at all times.
If parents are having trouble using something simple like a Bumbo, then it’s no wonder statistics show 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly! It’s not stupidity; it’s that these products are not made with common sense in mind.
Allen and I are very safety conscious. We always buckled the seat belts in the high chair and stroller, and always buckled tightly the booster seat w/ tray to the chair. However, I know many parents do not feel the need to take that extra step. They certainly mean no harm by it, but they probably do not think it’s necessary. Either they “know” that their child isn’t going to go anywhere, or they want their toddler to be able to climb out when they are ready. It makes me nervous to see a child climbing out of the stroller while it is moving, and I’ve seen kids get tangled trying to climb out of a booster seat at the table. The height of a high chair frightens me, because surely there would be injuries if a child fell from that height, were they not buckled in. I am not passing judgment. I am just reflecting on common practice.
My final thought is this. Babies are very wiggly. They do have control yet of their bodies. You never know when the baby is going to decide to kick or squirm or throw their weight and if the bouncy seat or infant carrier (or Bumbo) is up on the table, then they are likely to fall off. Please keep all baby seats on the floor and supervise them at all times.
If parents are having trouble using something simple like a Bumbo, then it’s no wonder statistics show 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly! It’s not stupidity; it’s that these products are not made with common sense in mind.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Safer Child Products
I was speaking with a friend of mine who has a toddler and she was commenting on how her little one gets into EVERYTHING!! At that age children need to be very closely supervised. Not only do they move fast, but they are very curious. If they can’t see or can’t reach, they will reach up and feel the surface to see what’s there. They will pull on anything hanging down, i.e.: a cord or a tablecloth. What worries me most this time of year is the potential for burns via candles or hot pots. As the weather gets colder and the holiday season approaches, we are more likely to be cooking soups, stews and ciders. Be sure to keep pot handles turned in, so they are not hanging over the edge of the stove. Cook on back burners whenever possible. If you have a flat top cooking surface, consider getting a plastic guard for the front of your stove, like the one shown in One Step Ahead http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=29&cmSource=Search
In addition, many of us like to burn candles, whether it is for pure pleasure, or for religious observances. Keep burning candles out of reach of curious hands, keep away from curtains and tablecloths, and remember not to wear loose of dangly clothing while cooking or lighting candles as well. Candle sticks can be placed on a glass or metal tray, or even on aluminum foil, so that if a lit candle falls over, it will not burn the surface or light anything else on fire.
For more at home safety tips to prevent burns, go to http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/little-kids/at-home/burn-prevention.html
Monday, November 14, 2011
Safer Child Products
Child Abuse is something that is probably not talked about as often as it should be. It comes to the forefront when there is a scandal, such as what’s happening with the Coaches at Penn State. I am not a sports fan, I do not follow College Football but I can’t help but follow the allegations that a trusted, well respected man sexually assaulted young boys. And that this has been going on, and covered up for more than 10 years is beyond upsetting and sickening to me.
I looked up some statistics and information on child abuse, to increase my understanding of the prevalence and why children do not tell when someone is or has abused them. According to Prevent Child Abuse Delaware, “Once every minute a child is abused.” I was shocked to learn that 80% of victims were abused by parents and that as many as 4 children die each day from child abuse. Children often don’t tell anyone about the abuse for many reasons. One reason is that when children are very young, (50% of child abuse occurs before a child is 6 years old) they do not understand that what is happening is abuse and often children think it is their fault. With the high incidence of the abusers being parents or loved ones, children don’t want to get their loved one in trouble, or to break the family apart.
It is important for us to talk to our children about what adults they can talk to if they are hurt or upset. Review with them what their 4 private parts are (mouth, chest, and area covered by underpants) and that no one should touch those places unless they are helping to keep the child clean and healthy (i.e.: bathing or medical exam). Encourage your child to tell you if someone talks to or touches him/her in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or that they don't like.
For more tips and suggestions on how to help prevent child abuse and warning signs of abuse, go to http://www.pcadelaware.org/safety/index.htm . Another great resource is http://helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm
I looked up some statistics and information on child abuse, to increase my understanding of the prevalence and why children do not tell when someone is or has abused them. According to Prevent Child Abuse Delaware, “Once every minute a child is abused.” I was shocked to learn that 80% of victims were abused by parents and that as many as 4 children die each day from child abuse. Children often don’t tell anyone about the abuse for many reasons. One reason is that when children are very young, (50% of child abuse occurs before a child is 6 years old) they do not understand that what is happening is abuse and often children think it is their fault. With the high incidence of the abusers being parents or loved ones, children don’t want to get their loved one in trouble, or to break the family apart.
It is important for us to talk to our children about what adults they can talk to if they are hurt or upset. Review with them what their 4 private parts are (mouth, chest, and area covered by underpants) and that no one should touch those places unless they are helping to keep the child clean and healthy (i.e.: bathing or medical exam). Encourage your child to tell you if someone talks to or touches him/her in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or that they don't like.
For more tips and suggestions on how to help prevent child abuse and warning signs of abuse, go to http://www.pcadelaware.org/safety/index.htm . Another great resource is http://helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm
Let’s work together to keep all our children safe.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Safer Child Products
My niece and nephew came to visit this weekend. They are 4 and 2. They are so cute and so much fun to play with. We all had a great time. However, when you have a 2 y/o visiting, you have to be conscious of small pieces in toys and games and my niece loves to go up and down the stairs. Most of the day she was engaged and well supervised, but at one point I went upstairs and found her walking down! I got very nervous! I had not closed the bathroom doors upstairs. In fact, I noticed that the lid on the toilet was open! What if she had fallen into the toilet or fallen down the stairs? What if she got caught on the closet door?
Fortunately, none of these things happened, but Unintentional Injuries are the leading cause of injury and death among children in the United States. According to the article Unintentional Injuries in Pediatrics, “1 in 4 children sustains an unintentional injury that requires medical care each year.” To summarize the chart, the leading cause of Unintentional Injury Death Among Children Age 0-10 Year, 2000- 2005, Suffocation was #1 for infants younger than 1 yr. and Drowning was on top for children 1-4 years old. For children older than 5 years, Motor Vehicle Crashes were the leading cause of injury, death and disability. I could not believe when I read that “In 2005, 20 children younger than 19 years of age were killed each day from motor vehicle crashes and more than 200, 000 were injured in that year.”
I hate the thought of children being hurt ever, but if there is something we can do to prevent these injuries, than let’s all make an extra effort to do so. Below is the list of Injury Prevention Tips, from Table 2 and most we’ve heard before. It doesn’t hurt to see it again in fact, we could all use reminders and re-evaluations of our situations. In spite of all we can do, there is no substitute for close supervision.
· Rear-Facing car seat until age 2yrs,
· Forward-Facing car seat until at least 40 lbs
· Booster Seat until at least 80 lbs. and 57 inches
· Always check manufacturer’s specifications on car seat
· Proper use of seat belts
· Wear Life Jackets on boats and when playing near water
· Do Not leave children unattended in baths
· Supervise closely (adult within 1 arms reach of a child in or near water)
· Teach swimming and water safety
· Test smoke detectors monthly, replace batteries yearly
· Establish a family fire escape plan
· Keep lighters, matches out of reach
· No smoking in bed!
· Reduce water heater temperature to 120 degrees
· Do not drink hot fluids near children
· Never leave the stove unattended
· Keep appliance cords, pot handles, grills and fireplaces out of reach
· Cover outlets with protective devices
· Keep all medication out of reach
· Place child-resistant caps on medication
· Dispose of medications immediately and safely
· Install Carbon Monoxide detectors on every level of home
· Keep poison control number near the phone 1-800-222-1222
· Remove comforters, pillows, bumpers and stuffed animals from crib
· Avoid nuts, carrots, popcorn and hotdog pieces
· Keep coins, batteries, small toys, magnets and toy parts awat from children < 4years old
· Cut blind cords and tie them out of reach
· Ensure cribs and mattresses meet safety precautions
Falls
· No baby walkers with wheels
· Supervise children closely
· Use safety straps in high chairs, shopping carts, and for diaper changes
· Keep car seats and “bouncy chairs” on the floor
Recreation
· Keep children <10 years old off the road
· Remove drawstrings, scarves, and ropes from clothing when children are on playground
· Supervise children closely
· Ensure playground equipment has deep soft surface underneath
Above information taken from Pediatrics in Review Vol. 32 No.10 October 2011, pages 431-433
Fortunately, none of these things happened, but Unintentional Injuries are the leading cause of injury and death among children in the United States. According to the article Unintentional Injuries in Pediatrics, “1 in 4 children sustains an unintentional injury that requires medical care each year.” To summarize the chart, the leading cause of Unintentional Injury Death Among Children Age 0-10 Year, 2000- 2005, Suffocation was #1 for infants younger than 1 yr. and Drowning was on top for children 1-4 years old. For children older than 5 years, Motor Vehicle Crashes were the leading cause of injury, death and disability. I could not believe when I read that “In 2005, 20 children younger than 19 years of age were killed each day from motor vehicle crashes and more than 200, 000 were injured in that year.”
I hate the thought of children being hurt ever, but if there is something we can do to prevent these injuries, than let’s all make an extra effort to do so. Below is the list of Injury Prevention Tips, from Table 2 and most we’ve heard before. It doesn’t hurt to see it again in fact, we could all use reminders and re-evaluations of our situations. In spite of all we can do, there is no substitute for close supervision.
Motor Vehicle Crash
· Back seat (middle) placement of child· Rear-Facing car seat until age 2yrs,
· Forward-Facing car seat until at least 40 lbs
· Booster Seat until at least 80 lbs. and 57 inches
· Always check manufacturer’s specifications on car seat
· Proper use of seat belts
Drowning
· Enclose Pools w/ at least 4-ft fence and self-closing gate· Wear Life Jackets on boats and when playing near water
· Do Not leave children unattended in baths
· Supervise closely (adult within 1 arms reach of a child in or near water)
· Teach swimming and water safety
Fire and Burns
· Install smoke detectors on every level of the home and near sleeping areas· Test smoke detectors monthly, replace batteries yearly
· Establish a family fire escape plan
· Keep lighters, matches out of reach
· No smoking in bed!
· Reduce water heater temperature to 120 degrees
· Do not drink hot fluids near children
· Never leave the stove unattended
· Keep appliance cords, pot handles, grills and fireplaces out of reach
· Cover outlets with protective devices
Poisoning
· Keep all potential poisons in original containers and out of reach· Keep all medication out of reach
· Place child-resistant caps on medication
· Dispose of medications immediately and safely
· Install Carbon Monoxide detectors on every level of home
· Keep poison control number near the phone 1-800-222-1222
Threats to Breathing
· Back to sleep· Remove comforters, pillows, bumpers and stuffed animals from crib
· Avoid nuts, carrots, popcorn and hotdog pieces
· Keep coins, batteries, small toys, magnets and toy parts awat from children < 4years old
· Cut blind cords and tie them out of reach
· Ensure cribs and mattresses meet safety precautions
Falls
· No baby walkers with wheels
· Supervise children closely
· Use safety straps in high chairs, shopping carts, and for diaper changes
· Keep car seats and “bouncy chairs” on the floor
· Keep children <10 years old off the road
· Remove drawstrings, scarves, and ropes from clothing when children are on playground
· Supervise children closely
· Ensure playground equipment has deep soft surface underneath
Above information taken from Pediatrics in Review Vol. 32 No.10 October 2011, pages 431-433
Monday, October 31, 2011
Safer Child Products
Most kids look forward to Halloween as an opportunity to get dressed up in costumes, whether cute or scary, and get LOTS and LOTS of candy. How do
you handle the Halloween Candy obsession in your house? Do you let them eat as much as they want on Halloween Night, hoping they will not want to see another piece of candy after that? Or do you dole out 1 or 2 pieces of candy each night, finding that you still have tons of leftovers next Halloween?
http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/index.html and enter your zipcode to find a participating dental office near you. You’ll be glad you did (and hopefully your kids will learn to appreciate it too. )
you handle the Halloween Candy obsession in your house? Do you let them eat as much as they want on Halloween Night, hoping they will not want to see another piece of candy after that? Or do you dole out 1 or 2 pieces of candy each night, finding that you still have tons of leftovers next Halloween?
How about using this opportunity to teach your kids about giving back and gratitude? The Halloween Candy Buy Back Program encourages kids to “sell” their candy to a participating dentist or orthodontist and they in turn will send the candy overseas to our troops. I am all for getting rid of the candy and if can brighten someone’s day while they are fighting to protect freedom, I am all for it. I am in favor of giving my kids allowance or a prize for doing something extremely kind or helpful, but do they really need money for donating candy? If your kids are old enough to understand, perhaps help them right a letter to the troops to include with the candy?
Whatever your feeling on payment, check out the website http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/index.html and enter your zipcode to find a participating dental office near you. You’ll be glad you did (and hopefully your kids will learn to appreciate it too. )
Monday, October 24, 2011
Safer Child Products
You may have figured out by now that we are all about child safety. Since my husband Allen is a pediatrician, we have access to all the journals and AAP recommendations as they come out. I just read the AAP’s latest statement on sleep. I like that it encompassed all Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), not ONLY SIDS.
The AAP strongly recommends that infants sleep flat on their backs, with no pillow, no blanket, no bumpers or soft toys. These accessories are things that we, as adults, associate with sleep and comfort. It is not necessary, and can be dangerous for infants. They should continue to sleep on their backs until 1 year of age or the time when they can roll themselves over and back again.
When my kids were that age, I had several friends who said the only way they could get their babies to sleep was to put them in the infant carrier. I believe they even transitioned the carrier into the crib to familiarize their infant w/ the crib environment. I even heard parents who let their babies sleep on their bellies for naptime, but at night, they laid them on their backs. Nap time shouldn’t be any different than night time. Sleep is sleep.
In October 17th’s issue of Pediatrics, the policy statement entitled “Sleep and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Expansion of Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment” details 15 recommendations, and explanations for many of them, but how realistic are they in practice? I understand that they want infants to sleep on their backs in the crib and not in car seats, swings, strollers or other “sitting devices”, but infants and young children spend so much of their time sleeping, are we supposed to wake them up every time they fall asleep in the car, or in the swing? Some parents will drive around the block just to soothe their baby or get them to sleep. Many babies find swings soothing and will nap in those as well. Is the AAP suggesting that we don’t use swings? We all want our children to be safe and the AAP makes many excellent points. The nice thing about the infant carrier is that we do not have to wake the baby to take them into the store. With slings and cloth carriers the recommendations are to have the child’s head up above the fabric and not nestled against the adult’s body. Again, I get it, but is that realistic with very young children?
Go ahead and read the recommendations yourself and tell me what you think. A lot of them make sense, and we all want our children to be safe, but how are you going to apply these to your real life? http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/10/12/peds.2011-2284
The AAP strongly recommends that infants sleep flat on their backs, with no pillow, no blanket, no bumpers or soft toys. These accessories are things that we, as adults, associate with sleep and comfort. It is not necessary, and can be dangerous for infants. They should continue to sleep on their backs until 1 year of age or the time when they can roll themselves over and back again.
When my kids were that age, I had several friends who said the only way they could get their babies to sleep was to put them in the infant carrier. I believe they even transitioned the carrier into the crib to familiarize their infant w/ the crib environment. I even heard parents who let their babies sleep on their bellies for naptime, but at night, they laid them on their backs. Nap time shouldn’t be any different than night time. Sleep is sleep.
In October 17th’s issue of Pediatrics, the policy statement entitled “Sleep and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Expansion of Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment” details 15 recommendations, and explanations for many of them, but how realistic are they in practice? I understand that they want infants to sleep on their backs in the crib and not in car seats, swings, strollers or other “sitting devices”, but infants and young children spend so much of their time sleeping, are we supposed to wake them up every time they fall asleep in the car, or in the swing? Some parents will drive around the block just to soothe their baby or get them to sleep. Many babies find swings soothing and will nap in those as well. Is the AAP suggesting that we don’t use swings? We all want our children to be safe and the AAP makes many excellent points. The nice thing about the infant carrier is that we do not have to wake the baby to take them into the store. With slings and cloth carriers the recommendations are to have the child’s head up above the fabric and not nestled against the adult’s body. Again, I get it, but is that realistic with very young children?
Go ahead and read the recommendations yourself and tell me what you think. A lot of them make sense, and we all want our children to be safe, but how are you going to apply these to your real life? http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/10/12/peds.2011-2284
Monday, October 17, 2011
Safer Child Products
I am always curious what parents will do to keep their kids happy in the car. Do you have toys in the car? Are they soft, or can they become dangerous projectiles in the event of a crash? Do you play kiddie music over and over or sing until you are blue in the face? How about feeding the kids in the car? I always had snacks with me to keep my children happy while riding in the car. To this day, my daughter acts like she cannot survive 10 minutes in the car without eating. When she is hungry, she wants food NOW!
However, with so many choices of car seats and unclear, ever changing guidelines I worry that some parents will change their child’s car seat too soon. When the baby gets heavy in the carrier, or their toes are hitting everything as you walk by, there is no reason to keep them in the infant carrier (except maybe convenience of portability). Many convertible car seats can be used rear facing and forward facing. Just because you move the baby to a bigger seat, certainly does not mean to put the seat forward facing if they are not ready.
Many of the child car seats on the market can be used Rear Facing from as little as 5 pounds and to as high as 35 or 40 pounds. Check the sticker on the side of your child car seat or the instruction manual. It is a good idea to keep the instruction manual either attached to the back of the car seat or in your car, so it is available for easy reference. I’ve made that mistake and been asked at a car seat safety check if I have my manual and I did not. I’ve found that I had questions about where to put the top tether and I’ve had to dig around in the file cabinet to find the instruction manual.
So, you may ask, my baby is always so unhappy in the car and hates to be rear facing. Unfortunately, this does happen, but perhaps the baby would be happier in a larger seat. The right seat is the one that fits properly in your car, is easy for you to use and meets the height and weight requirements or your child.
However, with so many choices of car seats and unclear, ever changing guidelines I worry that some parents will change their child’s car seat too soon. When the baby gets heavy in the carrier, or their toes are hitting everything as you walk by, there is no reason to keep them in the infant carrier (except maybe convenience of portability). Many convertible car seats can be used rear facing and forward facing. Just because you move the baby to a bigger seat, certainly does not mean to put the seat forward facing if they are not ready.
Many of the child car seats on the market can be used Rear Facing from as little as 5 pounds and to as high as 35 or 40 pounds. Check the sticker on the side of your child car seat or the instruction manual. It is a good idea to keep the instruction manual either attached to the back of the car seat or in your car, so it is available for easy reference. I’ve made that mistake and been asked at a car seat safety check if I have my manual and I did not. I’ve found that I had questions about where to put the top tether and I’ve had to dig around in the file cabinet to find the instruction manual.
So, you may ask, my baby is always so unhappy in the car and hates to be rear facing. Unfortunately, this does happen, but perhaps the baby would be happier in a larger seat. The right seat is the one that fits properly in your car, is easy for you to use and meets the height and weight requirements or your child.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Safer Child Products
Did you know that last April the American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids Worldwide made new recommendations for keeping children Rear Facing in Car Seats until age 2? This is a big change. If this is your first child, you may not know any different, but if this is not your first you may want to say “What? That sounds crazy!” However, the recommendations for “best practice” are not crazy. It goes along with a 2007 study in the journal Injury Prevention that “children younger than 2 are 75% less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they are riding in a rear-facing child seat.”
The purpose of buckling your child into a car seat is to secure them so they do not move in the event of a short stop or crash. The seat should be tight like it is “one” with the car. The harness’ job is to keep the child in the seat, so that should be snug to their body, not their clothes. The goal is to have the child restraint (car seat) take and distribute the force of the crash, over the child’s entire body. When forward facing, the heavy head is likely to snap forward, injuring or cracking the spine. As discussed in an article in the Chicago Tribune, “A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash.”
NHTSA reported in USA Today that car crashes remain the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14, but a “Properly used child safety seat decreases the risk of death by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.” NHTSA also said that ”Children are 59% less likely to be injured in a booster seat than if they were using seat belts alone.”
Always check the height and weight restrictions on the side of your child car seat and follow the recommendations. If you are using the vehicle seat belt to attach the car seat check daily to be sure that it did not accidentally get popped open.
The purpose of buckling your child into a car seat is to secure them so they do not move in the event of a short stop or crash. The seat should be tight like it is “one” with the car. The harness’ job is to keep the child in the seat, so that should be snug to their body, not their clothes. The goal is to have the child restraint (car seat) take and distribute the force of the crash, over the child’s entire body. When forward facing, the heavy head is likely to snap forward, injuring or cracking the spine. As discussed in an article in the Chicago Tribune, “A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash.”
NHTSA reported in USA Today that car crashes remain the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14, but a “Properly used child safety seat decreases the risk of death by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.” NHTSA also said that ”Children are 59% less likely to be injured in a booster seat than if they were using seat belts alone.”
Always check the height and weight restrictions on the side of your child car seat and follow the recommendations. If you are using the vehicle seat belt to attach the car seat check daily to be sure that it did not accidentally get popped open.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Safer Child Products
My children and I all have seasonal allergies. With all the rain and crazy weather patterns, this fall has been particularly itchy, sneezy and coughy. We all take over the counter anti-histamines. As part of my morning routine, when I come downstairs, I make the kids lunch, get toothbrushes ready and take out the allergy medicine. The kids eat breakfast, brush their hair and hopefully brush their teeth. Many times allergy medicine gets over looked. What do I do? Leave it on the counter for them to take when they get home. Fortunately, my kids are older now and have been taught not to “eat” or take any medication that is not specifically given to them by their parents or grandparents, when in their care. However, having pills sit out on the counter is NOT a good idea. My husband keeps reminding me of this. Some risks with leaving pills of any kind out include, being knocked over onto the floor, or into food being prepared. Also, we have friends and neighbors come by the house a lot, and how can I assume that someone else’s child is as cautious and knowledgeable about not taking other people’s medication? Just because I know what it is, doesn’t mean that someone else in my household knows what it is, or who remembers if they took their pill in the morning? I am risking someone taking a 2nd pill that day.
As I sit back and review these risks, and potential poisoning, I realize that I need to be more careful. I need to either hand the pill to my child, or put it back in its original container where it won’t get lost or confused.
If you suspect that your child has taken medication he wasn’t supposed to, or you gave them the wrong dose, or even picked up a suspicious “mushroom” or berry growing in the garden, you might want to call National Capital Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Keep this number by your telephone. The National Capital Poison Center’s website, http://www.poison.org/ provides a great explanation of what they can do, and why they should be your first call in a poisoning emergency. In fact, Poison Control Staff can often safely treat someone at home and prevent a costly Emergency Room Visit.
Pay close attention to dosage instructions on all medication bottles and keep all medication in its original container and away from children. Be aware that Tylenol has changed dosing instructions for infant’s Tylenol and changed the syringe, so be sure to read carefully or ask your Dr. for advice before administering the medication to your child. When overdosed, even Tylenol can be harmful and cause liver damage. On the Tylenol website, go to page 3 of the changing “display” Page 3. It tells about Product Enhancements in both Infant’s and Children’s Tylenol products.
As I sit back and review these risks, and potential poisoning, I realize that I need to be more careful. I need to either hand the pill to my child, or put it back in its original container where it won’t get lost or confused.
If you suspect that your child has taken medication he wasn’t supposed to, or you gave them the wrong dose, or even picked up a suspicious “mushroom” or berry growing in the garden, you might want to call National Capital Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Keep this number by your telephone. The National Capital Poison Center’s website, http://www.poison.org/ provides a great explanation of what they can do, and why they should be your first call in a poisoning emergency. In fact, Poison Control Staff can often safely treat someone at home and prevent a costly Emergency Room Visit.
Pay close attention to dosage instructions on all medication bottles and keep all medication in its original container and away from children. Be aware that Tylenol has changed dosing instructions for infant’s Tylenol and changed the syringe, so be sure to read carefully or ask your Dr. for advice before administering the medication to your child. When overdosed, even Tylenol can be harmful and cause liver damage. On the Tylenol website, go to page 3 of the changing “display” Page 3. It tells about Product Enhancements in both Infant’s and Children’s Tylenol products.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Safer Child Products
I always allowed my kids to eat in the car. Why? Because it kept them quiet, and it seemed like my little one was a bottomless pit. Today, now that they are older, it seems like it’s our only option some days. We are so busy running to activities after school and catching up on errands on the weekends, that I feel like we live in our car!
Periodically, my husband would clean out the car because he couldn’t stand the mess. The question was always “What do we do about the car seat?” Typically we would just vacuum it out, and occasionally we would take it out and give it a thorough cleaning and it was always pretty gross! However re-installing it was no easy task and we always took it back to the DMV to get re-installed/checked.
It wasn’t until I read an article about Germs in Your Car that I realized that not only are the crumbs disgusting to sit in, but they can actually be dangerous to our and our children’s health! For some reason it never occurred to me that crumbs can grow mold! Well yeah, that makes sense! In fact, there was a study done Charles P. Gerba Ph.D. Professor of Environmental Microbiology at University of Arizona, which found that “greater numbers of bacteria were found in automobiles that carried children as passengers.” Specifically, MRSA was found in a child car seat and on a steering wheel too!” That made me take disinfecting wipes to my car! Wow! What a wakeup call that was!
So, knowing that statistics show 3 out of 4 car seats are NOT installed correctly, then why would we want to remove our already secured/ professionally installed seats from the car, even to clean them, as frequently as Dr. Gerba recommends (washing the cover a few times per month)? Why can’t there be an easier/ better way, since most child car seats require you to take apart the whole seat just to get the cover off for cleaning. Hmmm…..
Periodically, my husband would clean out the car because he couldn’t stand the mess. The question was always “What do we do about the car seat?” Typically we would just vacuum it out, and occasionally we would take it out and give it a thorough cleaning and it was always pretty gross! However re-installing it was no easy task and we always took it back to the DMV to get re-installed/checked.
It wasn’t until I read an article about Germs in Your Car that I realized that not only are the crumbs disgusting to sit in, but they can actually be dangerous to our and our children’s health! For some reason it never occurred to me that crumbs can grow mold! Well yeah, that makes sense! In fact, there was a study done Charles P. Gerba Ph.D. Professor of Environmental Microbiology at University of Arizona, which found that “greater numbers of bacteria were found in automobiles that carried children as passengers.” Specifically, MRSA was found in a child car seat and on a steering wheel too!” That made me take disinfecting wipes to my car! Wow! What a wakeup call that was!
So, knowing that statistics show 3 out of 4 car seats are NOT installed correctly, then why would we want to remove our already secured/ professionally installed seats from the car, even to clean them, as frequently as Dr. Gerba recommends (washing the cover a few times per month)? Why can’t there be an easier/ better way, since most child car seats require you to take apart the whole seat just to get the cover off for cleaning. Hmmm…..
Monday, September 19, 2011
Safer Child Products
So many times I am walking in the mall or supermarket, even the playground and I see infants in their car seat carrier whose straps are loose or chest clip is down by the belly button. It really makes me wonder 2 things.
1. Do parents then put the infant carrier back in the car like this and
2. Were parents ever taught that the chest clip needs to be up at armpit or nipple level and harness snug to body to keep the baby secure?
Why do many parents feel that it is necessary to loosen the straps on their child’s harness? I know that no one’s intention is for our children to be less safe outside the car than in! With a loose harness, a child is likely to stick there arm thru the gap in the straps or even fall out if tilted or dropped. The harness is designed to hold the child securely in the seat so that the seat itself takes the impact and the child should more or less not move.
I worry about this. If parents are not taught how to install and use their child car seats properly, then our children are not as safe in the car as they could be. I don’t know how many people really take the time to read their car seat manual cover to cover.
I know that some hospitals are now giving classes on the newborn/postpartum floor on how to properly place and secure your newborn into a car seat/infant carrier. I think this is fabulous and encourage every parent of a newborn to participate, whether this is your first child or your fifth! Car seat styles and regulations have changed so much over the years, it’s always good to be refreshed and get updated recommendations.
This week is National Child Passenger Safety Week and this Saturday, September 24th is Seat Check Saturday. For information on car seat checks in your area go to www.safekids.org
1. Do parents then put the infant carrier back in the car like this and
2. Were parents ever taught that the chest clip needs to be up at armpit or nipple level and harness snug to body to keep the baby secure?
Why do many parents feel that it is necessary to loosen the straps on their child’s harness? I know that no one’s intention is for our children to be less safe outside the car than in! With a loose harness, a child is likely to stick there arm thru the gap in the straps or even fall out if tilted or dropped. The harness is designed to hold the child securely in the seat so that the seat itself takes the impact and the child should more or less not move.
I worry about this. If parents are not taught how to install and use their child car seats properly, then our children are not as safe in the car as they could be. I don’t know how many people really take the time to read their car seat manual cover to cover.
I know that some hospitals are now giving classes on the newborn/postpartum floor on how to properly place and secure your newborn into a car seat/infant carrier. I think this is fabulous and encourage every parent of a newborn to participate, whether this is your first child or your fifth! Car seat styles and regulations have changed so much over the years, it’s always good to be refreshed and get updated recommendations.
This week is National Child Passenger Safety Week and this Saturday, September 24th is Seat Check Saturday. For information on car seat checks in your area go to www.safekids.org
Monday, September 12, 2011
Safer Child Products
National School Bus Safety Week is coming up October 17th-21st, but why wait to learn the rules of the road. Even if you don’t have school age children, or your children don’t ride the bus to school, school buses are out on the road. Do you know when it’s ok to pass a school bus and when it’s not?
According to the Delaware Dept. of Education, “Drivers travelling either direction on a 2 lane road MUST stop when the school bus activates it’s flashing lights and stop sign. When travelling the same direction as the bus on a 4 lane road, you still must stop. If you are driving in the opposite direction on a 4 lane road, you do NOT have to stop. http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/schools/transportation/bussafety.shtml
Passing a STOPPED school bus is against the law. If you see a school bus with yellow lights flashing, slow down. If the bus has red lights flashing, you must stop. Wait for children to finish crossing, for the Stop Arm or Stop Sign to be pulled back and the lights no longer flashing.
To see a diagram of when to pass and when to stop, visit: http://www.safetylane.org/?p=2073
Following these laws can save a child’s life. Pay attention and keep everyone safe on the road.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Safer Child Products
Head Lice. Just the thought of it is enough to make any parent cringe and scratch their head. If you’ve ever had it visit your family, and been the one to treat it, it probably makes you want to cry, and scratch your head! Lice are tiny insects that can only live on the human scalp. They need human blood to survive. They are about the size and color of a sesame seed. Do not fool yourself by saying “this could not happen to us, we are very clean”. Cleanliness is NOT an indicator on who will get lice. According to LiceMD, “They crawl from one person to another and are spread by direct hair-to-hair contact. Other means of spreading is from the sharing of combs, hats, helmets, scarves, headphones, pillows or other personal items.” A nother tip: If your child has lice, check their siblings and yourself as well. You may want to sit your child in front of a DVD to occupy them while you comb out their hair to minimize the whining and crying. It’s worked for us!
Many young children love to play dress-up. Make a rule that they cannot share any hats or crowns, even when going out to play. If your children are in school, remind them that rugs are for sitting on, not for laying on. Why take a chance that someone who unknowingly has lice was just rolling around on the rug. Even at home, try to keep hair brushes and pony tail holders separate for each child. If going on a sleepover, tell your child they must bring and use their own pillow, for everyone’s protection.
If you discover that your child does have lice, don’t keep it a secret. It’s not worth being embarrassed over. It is very important to tell the teacher and anyone that your child works or plays closely with. Think about them leaning head to head reading or working on a project together.
Invest in a very fine toothed comb and a magnifying glass. Check your children regularly, so you can catch it early. I checked my kids before they went back to school, so I knew that we were starting the year free of any little pests.
The next step in lice treatment will be to strip all bedding and stuffed toys. What you can wash, do so in HOT water and dry on High Heat. Anything that cannot be washed seal in a plastic bag for 2 weeks. Clean out hair brushes and put them in hot soapy water for 5-10 minutes.
There are many different recipes for treating or killing head lice. LiceMD, RID, even Mayonnaise! (In some cities you can even hire a professional “nitpicker”!) You may want to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about a treatment that is right for you. Most important is that fine tooth comb and magnifying glass. Even after killing the lice, it is essential for you to comb the nits or eggs from the hair. You must keep checking over the next 10 days to be sure that there are no new hatchlings. When you comb, be sure to take very small sections at a time, and comb in different directions, concentrating on the scalp, nape of the neck, and behind the ears.
Visit http://headlicecenter.com/head-lice/head-lice-treatments/ for even more discussion on head lice and treatment options.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Safer Child Products
Well, summer vacation is just about over as we all get ready for school. In our house we got so used to sleeping late and being at our leisure that it will be hard to get back to the routine of getting and moving in the morning for school. That’s why I have begun backing up bedtime and waking the kids at a reasonable morning hour! However, what we have not practiced is wearing shoes! Shoes you ask? My kids have been wearing flip flops or sandals or summer and now must transition to wearing sneakers or closed shoes that will protect and support their feet. We need to teach our children that shoes must stay on their feet, and that they need appropriate foot wear, not only for gym days, but for every day on the playground. It is not safe to wear flip flops or open sandals to school. You don’t want someone to step on the back of their shoe and your child goes flying! You don’t want mulch or other debris to get stuck in their foot! Some schools even include footwear in their dress code or code of conduct. One such school stated “For safety on the playground, shoes must be worn at all times. Also, all shoes must have a back strap or back support. Suggested style: shoes appropriate for PE.” Whatever their age, this is a good lesson to learn. It continues to be a problem as the weather cools off and the kids want to wear cute or stylish boots to school, or I know my daughter likes to wear flats with her dresses. What do we do then? Though I prefer my kids wearing sneakers every day, my best suggestion is to compromise and pack the sneakers for recess. Wishing you all a safe and wonderful school year!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Safer Child Products
It’s back to school time for many of us whether your child is 4 or 14! Backpacks are an essential component of back to school gear. Your child may tell you that it has to be their favorite color or favorite character or everyone’s wearing a messenger bag this year! However, backpacks are not just for looks! The improper usage of a backpack can have long term harmful effects on your child’s spine.
I watched the past 2 years as my little one has worn her saggy backpack down by her but, while my older one struggled with carrying a messenger bag. After reading up on Backpack Safety, this year I got smart. I made sure that each of them tried on the backpacks before we bought any. They had to fit properly and be easy to adjust. They had to be comfortable so that the kids would want to wear them properly every day. This year I am expecting my big one to have more work and a heavier load, so I wanted a backpack that was up to the job!
According to Backpack Safety America, a child should never carry more than 15 % of their bodyweight in their backpack and it should not rest lower than the base of their spine. “When worn correctly, the weight in a backpack is evenly distributed across the body, and shoulder and neck injuries are less common than if someone carried a briefcase or purse. As practical as backpacks are, though, they can strain muscles and joints and may cause back pain if they're too heavy or are used incorrectly.”
Dr. Chad Laurence advises that the backpack be worn snugly against the body, have a structurally reinforced base as well as a belt strap.
For more backpack safety recommendations and explanations of pain and risks from improper usage, visit:
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Safer Child Products
Last Week Allen got blood drawn for further matching. They said we would know more in 72 hours. It has now been a week and we have not heard a thing!
Allen reached out to his contact at the hospital but has not gotten a response.
He will contact Piper Wood at the National Marrow Donor Association and see if we can get some answers.
Stay Tuned!
Allen reached out to his contact at the hospital but has not gotten a response.
He will contact Piper Wood at the National Marrow Donor Association and see if we can get some answers.
Stay Tuned!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Safer Child Products
Last week my husband, Dr. Allen, received an email that could change his life. He was told that he is a potential bone marrow match! Over the next few weeks, he will be sharing the decisions, the process, and the journey. We welcome comments about your thoughts and your own experiences too!
I must get over 100 e-mails a day and almost deleted the e-mail that would change my life. You know how it goes, scan the subject line, see if it seems interesting and then scan the “From” line. Strange subject line: “Bone Marrow Match!”, “From” line had “Piper Wood”. Since I have my e-mail set in preview pane I was able to see a blue outline banner across the top that says, “Be The Match” with a logo after the word “Be” with the rest a blur in a dark blue background. It was quite informal with an introductory, Dear Allen, with my name in red letters. I am not used to important e-mails addressed to me this way. Actually, I deleted the e-mail and later dragged it back to my inbox.
It took me several patients later to read the message deeper, not word for word but a deeper scan of the content. It had a bunch of links, areas in bold, areas in red and related that I had joined National Marrow Donor Program in May 2008. I must admit, it took me time to connect the dots, I barely remember last week yet alone 2008. My heart started to beat faster when the connections were being made. What do I do? Delete it and no one will know was one of my many thoughts that raced in my mind that afternoon at 4 PM. Was this the bone marrow drive my resident organized to try and find a match for one of our department ‘s administrative assistants son? I called my former resident and spoke to some of my colleagues. I read the e-mail again, “49 year old in need of a transplant”.
The next day, my wife received a voice mail on our home phone and the same day I received a letter in the mail, all saying the same thing. All urging me to please respond fast; this man has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma and needs a transplant. My unsettled stomach churned and churned. I was the medical student that hated blood, never donated blood, and would almost pass out every time I saw a lot of blood. Just press the delete button, call the registry and leave a message that I was not interested kept entering my mind. I looked at the website links and kept focusing on the 20-40 hours needed to complete the process if I was a close match, 1-2 days out of work, up to 4 weeks of pain, anesthesia or not, shots to bring up my cell counts, patients that may need to be cancelled, vacation plans with my family. All of this is a big blur. Maybe there is another close match for this gentleman!! However, I kept thinking of Mark Wibbens, the person the bone marrow drive was supposed to help but didn’t, our good friend who survived leukemia at age 2 (did not need a transplant), and my own patient who was in the hospital with a new diagnosis of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma after having his tumor removed.
My usual late night e-mail response was no exception to this situation. After discussing this with my wife I sent an e-mail the next evening, almost 11 PM, “What do I need to do now to go to next step”……….
Monday, July 18, 2011
Safer Child Products
After hearing about Leiby Kletzkey, the 8 y/o religious Jewish boy from Brooklyn who was brutally murdered and dismembered, I said to myself, “If a Hasidic Jewish boy is not safe in his close knit religious neighborhood in Brooklyn, then none of us are safe!” I was distraught. Over-reacting a little? Maybe, however as a parent of children around his age, it certainly hit close to home. Not only am I saddened about the horror and the tragedy for the boy himself, but imagine how his mother must feel! I can’t imagine that she will ever get over that loss, but I know that I would second guess everything I ever taught my child about stranger danger and who to trust. Every day we must make decisions about whether to leave our child home alone, or whether to let them walk alone.
So what is the right answer? I read many articles about the Leiby Kletzkey case and one man said “my children don’t talk to any strangers, whether they are wearing a yarmulke or a do rag!” Is that the answer? Who is really a stranger? What happened to being neighborly and saying hello to people in your neighborhood you don’t really know but occasionally bump into on the street? Are we helping our children or doing them a disservice by interfering with their social development? David Parkin, a Retired Police Superintendent suggests “Denying Children the opportunity to be sociable is damaging to society.”
I think that some good guidelines for safety are never to walk alone, and never to approach a car. Teach your children NOT to be lured by someone asking them for directions, or asking them to help find a missing puppy. In short, don’t GO anywhere with strangers!
Some safe people to talk to or ask for help are Police Officers/ Security Guards, and shop keepers. Teachers are good people to talk to as well. Teach your children to trust their instincts. If someone is making them feel uncomfortable, or they get a funny feeling about a person, leave and go someplace else. If they cannot find any of these “uniformed” people and need help, a Woman, a Grandparent or someone with young children may be able to help.
For more great tips on “stranger danger” go to http://www.safetycops.com/stranger_danger.htm
Monday, July 11, 2011
Safer Child Products
How many of us still mow our own lawns? It can be very rewarding and good for our physical fitness if you are walking/pushing the mower! However, Lawn mowers can also be very dangerous. Even when off and stored in the garage, do not let children play on or with mowers. Children need to be supervised and kept away from running lawn mowers. According to Dr. Edwin Harris, pediatric podiatrist, many children have lost toes or even portions of their feet in lawn mower accidents. Dr. Harris even suggests that no one under age 16 operate a power mower and that you don’t let children ride along while you are mowing the lawn.
Pay attention to the area around you and always look behind you and around corners to be sure that no children are hiding/ hidden there before you continue to mow that area.
To read the interview with Dr. Harris and see more CPSC recommendations go to http://www.consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=653402
Monday, July 4, 2011
Safer Child Products
Fourth of July, Independence Day! Wow! What an incredible feeling I get when I think about what this means for our country. Fireworks can be so beautiful and exciting, however, at the same time I worry about people being injured while being around or setting off fireworks. According to a study by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2009 there “were two deaths and nearly 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries resulting from fireworks related incidents. Most fireworks injuries occurred to consumers younger than 20 and resulted in the loss of a limb in many cases.” http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10282.html
If you are setting off fireworks around young children, please use common sense and caution and keep small children back away from all fireworks and sparklers. Do not let young children play with or light any type of fireworks. There have been many injuries to children under age 5 from sparklers. Here are some additional tips from http://www.kidsturncentral.com/topics/safety/fworks.htm:
- Read and follow instructions
- Always keep water and sand nearby
- NEVER light indoors use only OUTDOORS
- Never try to make your own fireworks
- Never relight fireworks that appear to have gone out
- Only light one at a time
- Never allow small children to go near fireworks
- Store in a cool dry place
- Never lean over top of fireworks to light them
- Tie hair back, wear safety goggles and no loose fitting clothes
- Sparklers should be immersed in sand once they appear out - they are still very hot and can burn
Also, the CPSC urges consumers to not use illegal fireworks. They are far more dangerous than the legal ones and can be fatal.
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Safer Child Products
June 20, 2011
We all know that we need to wear sunscreen to protect ourselves and our children from the harmful rays of the sun that can cause sunburns and cancer, but do you know that eyes can get a sunburn too? It is called Photokeratitis and according to Simon Eye Associates and the American Optometric Association, this causes “painful symptoms such as red eye, gritty feeling in the eye, excessive tearing and extreme sensitivity to light.”
There are harmful long term effects as well such as cataracts and macular degeneration, so protect your own and your child’s vision by using sunglasses that block out as close to 100% of of both UV-A AND UV-B radiation as you can find and sceen out “75 –90% of visible light.” Also, be sure that the glasses do not distort your vision.
Encourage your children to wear their sunglasses when they are playing outside, at the beach or pool, and even when playing sports. A hat is helpful, but is not enough to protect your eyes from the harmful rays.
www.visioncenter4kids.com has additional tips and facts about protecting your children’s eyes from Sun Damage. They explained that children’s eyes have “larger pupils and clearer lenses, so when spending time outdoors, a child will receive 3x the UV ray exposure as an adult.”
Set a good example for your children and wear your sunglasses! Good quality sunglasses do not have to be expensive!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Safer Child Products
Here it is, June already. Many schools are out for the summer and others will be shortly. I am looking forward to summer fun and spending time with my children with a less harried schedule.
So our summer started with my kids and their friends wanting to wash my car. Wonderful! For them this is a way to be helpful and stay cool at the same time. They filled up buckets of water and thought I was crazy when I told them I needed to be outside to supervise. My kids are no longer toddlers, but they are still young. I know that young children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water. I didn’t want someone to trip or fool around and end up head first in a bucket of water!
Stay alert and Learn CPR
According to a study published by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) “A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone. Seventy-seven percent of the victims had been missing from sight for 5 minutes or less “
I’ve read in several places that drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children between the ages of 5 & 24! Also, it is recommended that infants, toddlers and weak swimmers have an adult within arm’s reach of them in the pool, while older children and young adults be taught never to swim alone. Even “seasoned” swimmers can get tired or get a muscle cramp. It’s always good to have a buddy who can help or get help when needed.
If you have a pool at your home, be sure that you follow the CPSC’s guidelines. For example CPSC strongly recommends that all residential pools have a 4-foot barrier, such as a fence with self-closing and self-latching gates. If the house is the fourth side of a barrier, secure doors with alarms that prevent children from wandering into the pool area.
For more information and safety tips you can read more at http://poolsafely.gov/parents-families/
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