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Playing Safely in the Pool
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When hot, summer weather arrives, one of the top activities for children to do is to go swimming. Although this is a perfect way to keep those body temperatures down in the summer heat, there are still some unsafe events that can happen at the swimming pool. For instance, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between the ages of 1 and 4. In addition, if not properly protected, your child is at risk for sun burns.
Before heading out to the pool this summer, review these quick tips to make sure you and your little ones are safe and have fun at the pool.
- First, make sure you have put sunscreen on all children 15 minutes prior to any outdoor activity. Even on a cloudy day, the sun's rays can still cause sunburn, so be sure to put sunscreen on every time you head outside.
- Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention.
- Educate your children about the dangers of getting trapped or tangled up in a pool's drain. Furthermore, teach them to never play or swim near drains or suction outlets.
- Whether kids are swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake, teach children to swim with an adult. Older, more experienced swimmers should still swim with a partner every time.
- When there are several adults present and children are swimming, use the "Water Watcher" strategy, which designates an adult as the "Water Watcher" for a certain amount of time to prevent lapses in supervision.
- Finally, if you have the opportunity, learning CPR can help in an emergency situation until the medical professionals arrive on the scene.
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Preventing Child Heatstroke
Often times babies and young children fall asleep while riding in the car. It may seem quicker and easier to just leave the sleeping child in the car, but this could lead to very serious consequences.
Leaving a child alone in a car could result in serious injury or death from heatstroke. This is a huge risk for younger children, as their bodies heat up 3 to 5 times faster than adults'.
To prevent injuries and deaths related to heatstroke, remember to
ACT!
A:
Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. In addition, make sure to keep your car locked when you're not in it, so kids don't get in on their own.
C: Create reminders by putting something in the back seat of your car next to your child, such as a briefcase, a purse, or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you're not following your normal routine.
T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could safe a life.
Learn more heatstroke safety tips from Safe Kids Worldwide.
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Keeping Kids Safe Around Fireworks
Each summer, many people enjoy watching fireworks and playing with sparklers. Although fireworks are a fun, family activity, we should all remember to be cautious around them. Fireworks are potentially dangerous and can cause injury, particularly among children between the ages of 5 and 9, as this age group has the highest injury rate due to fireworks.
We all remember playing with sparklers as a little kid, but did you know that they actually burn at over 1000 degrees
Fahrenheit
? Therefore, be extra cautious when your kids are playing with them because they can easily set clothing on fire and cause serious burns.
Because of the potential dangers with fireworks, it is strongly recommended that they only be used by professionals. However, if you do choose to use them, please follow these tips:
- Make sure you know what your local laws are. Many states do not allow the use of fireworks.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all warnings and instructions before use.
- Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves or grass, and flammable materials.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that do not go off.
For more firework safety tips, visit our
website.
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Working Together to Build a Safer Cincinnati
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When it comes to supporting healthy kids here in our region, State Farm is a champion partne
r with Cincinnati Children's. State Farm has committed resources to help implement and grow numerous injury prevention programs here at the CCIC-including home safety initiatives, teen safe driving outreach, and car seat assistance for families of children with special health needs.
Just this month, State Farm generously provided funds toward our special needs child passenger safety program.
State Farm agents and staff also give back by volunteering for our community events. Because of their generosity and dedication, we are preventing injuries and saving lives every day! Thank you, State Farm, for helping to take care of our kids!
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The home is the most common place for children ages 1 to 4 to be injured. We can help prevent these injuries by providing education and free home safety equipment!
Please join us in reducing the risk of home injuries to children under 5 by volunteering for the Home Safety Day for Kids in Avondale on June 27th. No experience is needed to volunteer, and we will provide all of the training, equipment, and tools you will need.
Volunteers like you have helped reduce injuries by more than 50% in homes we've visited! Thank you in advance for participating in such a positive, worthwhile event for the community of Avondale.
Learn more about what it means to be a volunteer, here.
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Home Safety Day in Avondale
Saturday, June 27th
The next Home Safety Day will be in Avondale this month!
Learn more
about volunteering for the event, or register your home for a home safety visit!
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Safety Event at Anderson Hills Pediatrics
Sunday, July 12th
Anderson Hills Pediatrics is celebrating their 40th Anniversary this summer! Come out and visit us at their 7400 Jager Ct. office to learn more about bike and helmet safety from 2pm - 5pm at this celebration!
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Blue Ash Bike Rodeo at Target
Saturday, July 18th
Does your child need a new helmet? Come see us from 12pm - 3pm at the Target in Blue Ash to have your child fitted for the proper helmet! They could also win a new bike!
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June is National Safety Month
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Ask an Expert
Emily Sirk, MPH
Injury Prevention Coordinator
Q: What are some things I can do around my home to keep my children safe?
A:
Unintentional injuries are the number one cause of childhood death - most of which could have been prevented.
Whether the injury was caused by smoke inhalation and burns from a house fire to ingestion of common household cleaning items, there are different things you can do as a parent to prevent these injuries from taking place.
- Always have at least one working smoke detector in your home that is close to the main sleeping area. If your smoke detector is chirping, it's time to change the batteries.
- Keep all medications and vitamins up high and out of reach of children, or in a medicine cabinet that can be locked. Today, there are many medications that look like candy, so it is easy for a child to mistake a pill for a piece of candy if it is lying on the counter, in the car, or in a purse.
- Be aware of any button batteries that are lying around the home, or in common household items, such as TV remotes. These types of batteries in particular can be extremely harmful, even deadly, to children who swallow them on accident.
- If possible, keep all chemicals, cleaning supplies, and poisons up high - out of reach of the children in the home. Another option is to keep these items locked in the cabinet they are stored in.
- Watch out for cords and items on stairs, as they can be tripping hazards for young and old alike.
For more great injury prevention tips in the home, visit our
website!
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The Doctor is In
Earl Siegel, PharmD
Drug and Poison Information Center
Q:
What kinds of poison related exposures does the Cincinnati Children's Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) receive?
A:
After a 40 year career at Cincinnati Children's Drug and Poison Information Center, I can attest to the fact that little children certainly get into anything and everything, such as:
- medicine that looks like candy
- a button type battery that looks like a coin,
- or other unusual things that you wouldn't even think of being poisonous, such as various house plants, or the inside liquid from a compass.
Here are the top five drug and poison exposures in children under the age of 5:
Some of these exposures may have consequences if not treated, especially ingestions and other exposures that may require special antidotes and guidance. However, not all circumstances require a visit to the emergency room. For any poison-related instances for children and adults, please call
1-800-222-1222
and speak with one of our DPIC specially trained pharmacists and nurses.
From there they can instruct you on immediate first aid and whether a visit to the emergency department is necessary.
Learn more about poison safety and the Drug and Poison Information Center.
Learn more about poison control centers.
Print your own poison control stickers.
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