community newsletter from  the  Comprehensive Children's Injury Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
FALL 2017
September is Child Passenger Safety Month
When it Comes to Their Safety, Don't Rush it!
Timely Topics
Teaching Your Teen to Walk Safe
As a parent, there are many things you've taught your children over the years, including how to safely cross the street, once they were old enough to let go of your hand. This likely is not a safety topic you've had to reiterate over the years, as they've gotten older. However, new data reveals that teens are actually more likely to be injured while walking across the street than any other age group. As many as 5 teens are killed each week and hundreds more are injured.

The simple answer to the question of "How could that be?" is that teens (and adults) are walking distracted and therefore not fully attentive to what is happening around them, especially at traffic lights and intersections. With the rise in the use of smart phones and mobile devices, teens are even more distracted than ever.

Therefore, it may be time to have the talk with your son or daughter again about how to safely cross the street. It's important to reiterate the steps of looking left, right and left again, but also including suggestions such as pausing a video/song and to stop talking or texting as they cross the street. It's important that we all look up and pay attention to what is going on around us as we approach an intersection. It just may save your life!

Be engaged: When you are getting ready to cross the street, pause music and stop talking or texting. Look up and pay attention to what is going on around you.

Follow the rules: Follow traffic signals and cross streets only at intersections, not mid-street. When you follow the rules, drivers have a better idea of what you are going to do.

Wait and see: Try to make eye contact with drivers and wait until you know what drivers are planning to do before you step into the street. Do not assume that drivers will drive safety or are paying attention.

Join Safe Kids and the "Moment of Silence" campaign by watching this video and pledging to put down your phone or device the next time you cross the street.

Sleep Sacks: Time to Make the Switch

Sleep sacks are now being widely used at hospitals and for newborns at home. They have helped to remove blankets and "extras" from the infant's crib, which helps to ensure a safe sleeping environment. 

As the weather starts to change and temperatures dip lower and lower, it's important to reiterate the importance of keeping an infant's sleep environment safe from things like blankets and comforters. Instead, it may be time to switch to a sleep sack made of thicker material, such as fleece, to help keep your infant warm during the fall and winter seasons.

Sleep sacks and wearable blankets come in a wide variety of sizes and fabrics to accommodate infants and young children up to 24 months of age. It's important to remember that you should discontinue swaddling an infant once they show signs of breaking free from the swaddle or they begin to roll over. To learn more about how to switch your child from swaddle sleep sacks to the wearable blankets, check out this video .

ATV Safety

All-Terrain Vehicles, better known as ATVs, have been a popular form of recreation for adults and their children for a number of years.  Recently at Cincinnati Children's, we have seen a number of children injured from ATV-related accidents, from scrapes and bruises to traumatic brain injuries. While ATVs may be fun and provide a sense of thrill, it is important to review the following safety measures with your loved ones before they get on:
  1. Stay off paved roads.
  2. Never allow children younger than 16 on adult ATVs.
  3. Don't allow more people on an ATV than it was designed to carry.
  4. Always wear a helmet and other protective gear.
  5. Get hands-on training.
Learn more from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Learn more about Ohio's laws regarding ATV use.
Partner Spotlight
Cincinnati ToolBank
The Cincinnati ToolBank manages an inventory of tools for lending to charitable organizations to increase the impact of their mission-related efforts in the community. They are a nonprofit organization that strives to serve all charitable organizations in the Greater Cincinnati area with quick and reliable access to high-quality tools. Since opening in July 2012, they have served 265 nonprofit organizations, equipping them with over $4M worth of tools to put in the hands of more than 160,000 volunteers.

Since 2013, the ToolBank has been providing the CCIC community volunteers with quality tools (power drills, screwdrivers, wheel barrels, shovels, ladders, gloves, gardening tools, etc.) to complete home safety visits, playground builds and community garden projects. This partnership has allowed the CCIC to stay on budget with community projects by eliminating the cost of purchasing equipment. The staff is amazing, and the process to rent/return tools is easy, quick and painless.

Thanks again to the Cincinnati ToolBank for your incredible vision and willingness to serve non-profits in Cincinnati!

Visit  the ToolBank's website for more information.
Join Our Cause
Stay Current with News in the World of Safety
Want to get all the latest safety updates? Interested in knowing when our next home safety day or car seat class will be? Like our Facebook page!

Our hope is to provide you with additional tips, stories, and photos as they relate to keeping the little ones in your life safe.

You can also utilize this resource as a way to ask us questions related to injury prevention for your children. If you ever want to clarify car seat installation instructions, check on the latest home safety equipment available, or learn how to select the proper size of helmet for your children - we are literally a Facebook message away! 

What are you waiting for - head on over to our  Facebook page and "LIKE US" now!

Also, we recently released our 2016 Trauma Report, which provides insight into the types of injuries we see here at the medical center, as well as the injury prevention work we are doing to keep kids in our area safe. Learn more and view the report.
Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar
Free Car Seat Check

Saturday, September 23rd

This Saturday, the CCIC will be partnering with Green Township Fire Department to host a free car seat check event from 10 am - 2 pm.  Feel free to come by - no appointment needed!
PIN Home Safety Day

Saturday, September 30th

The next PIN Home Safety Day is just around the corner.  Learn more  about volunteering for this event, or  register  your home for a safety visit!
Home Safety Day

Saturday, October 14th

The CCIC will be hosting a Home Safety Day again in the West End and Millvale areas.  Learn more  about volunteering for this event, or  register  your home for a safety visit!
Expert Advice
When to Transition to Different Stages of Car Seats
Ask An Expert
Stephanie Lyons, CPST
Injury Prevention Coordinator

Q: When should I transition my child to the next car seat?
 
A: Under 2 years
It's important to keep your child in a car seat with a five point harness as long as possible. A five point harness consists of two straps that go over the child's shoulders, two straps that go over the child's thighs, and connect to one buckle between the child's legs. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping children in a rear facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old, or until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by their car seat manufacturer. Many parents try to put their child forward facing too soon because the child's legs hit the back of the vehicle seat. Studies show that injuries to the legs of rear facing children are uncommon and do not outweigh the safety benefits of a child rear facing longer.

2 - 4 years
Once your child turns 2, or reaches the upper weight or height limit for their seat, it's time to switch them to forward facing. Forward facing seats with a five point harness should be used until your child outgrows the weight and height of their seat forward facing. Once your child has outgrown their forward facing car seat, you will transition to a booster seat. Many combination and all-in-one seats have the option to remove the five point harness to turn the car seat into a booster seat.

4 - 12 years
A booster seat is meant to boost the child up so the vehicle lap and shoulder belt fit them correctly. The lap belt should be low and tight across the child's thighs while the shoulder belt is comfortably between the neck and shoulder. A child should be mature enough to sit properly in a booster with the vehicle seat belt without slouching or leaning over. If there is no vehicle headrest, a high back booster must be used.

8 and older
Your child is ready to move out of a booster seat once they are able to sit with their back against the vehicle seat, and their knees bent at the edge of the seat. Many children are able to transition out of a booster seat when they are around 4'9". Even after your child transitions out of a booster, all children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat due to vehicle airbags. 

Your child may be eager to move to the next stage, but remember, they grow up too fast... don't rush it! 

www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ccic  · 513-636-7865, "Option 1"