Tag Archives: safety

Halloween Safety Tips

Today’s entire blog below is quoted from the AAP, here.  Have a great Halloween!

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids. Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to help ensure they have a safe holiday.

All Dressed Up:

  • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
  • When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
  • If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
  • Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
  • Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
  • Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

Carving a Niche:

  • Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
  • Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
  • Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

Home Safe Home:

  • To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
  • Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
  • Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
  • Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

On the Trick-or-Treat Trail:

  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
  • Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind trick-or-treaters:
    • Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
    • Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
    • Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
    • Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
    • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
    • Never cut across yards or use alleys.
    • Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
    • Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!
  • Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Healthy Halloween:

  • A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
  • Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
  • Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
  • Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

Whether dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, or having parties with their friends, most kids love Halloween. But did you know that Halloween is also a time when more children than usual end up in the emergency room due to falls, traffic collisions and other injuries? All the sweets in the house (and at school) can also wreak havoc on a child’s teeth and healthy diet.

To help ensure your child’s Halloween is both safe and healthy, pediatrician Corinn Cross, MD, FAAP joins the Healthy Children show on RadioMD with some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Listen here.

 

 

Screen time for computers and games

A couple of weeks ago we dealt with content of video games here.  If you missed it, check out that important information about monitoring what your kids are playing.  It’s also important to supervise all computer screen time.

Make sure all the computers to which your youngster has access are in open places in the house.  Search the browser history at regular intervals, and make sure you have his passwords for all social media accounts so you can check that activity.  Let him know ahead of time that this is one of the rules for the privilege of using the computer and smart phone.  Take a look at texts and other accounts on her phone, and remind her of safety rules:

  • Never give out personal information online or over the phone.
  • Never assume that someone you “meet” online is giving you accurate information, and never arrange to meet such a person face to face.
  • If you get concerned about someone contacting you, tell your parent without fear of judgment.
  • Never use your phone or computer for pornography (especially child pornography, which is illegal), sexting (a form of pornography), sending any inappropriate information, or for hurting or bullying someone else.  If you receive such content inform a parent or teacher immediately.

In addition to content, you should be aware of time.  Screen time of any kind (television, movies, computer, video games) means fewer hours are available for physical activity, face-to-face interaction, reading and homework.  Screen time isn’t necessarily bad in itself, but you should monitor the amount of time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics gives great advice about video games in this online article, including the recommendation to limit video game time to one hour per day.  The same goes for other types of screen time.  If your teen or child is spending much more time than that in front of a screen (unless, of course, it’s for school), engage him in conversation about what other activities might take the place of some gaming hours.  Allow her to choose from a list of fun ways to spend her time.

  • Reading.  If your children don’t like to read, read to or with them.  Pick an age-appropriate book and take turns reading pages or chapters.  Bedtime is great for this.
  • Physical activity.  One of the problems of screen time is its sedentary nature.  Inactivity leads to weight gain and all sorts of accompanying health issues.  Get your youngster involved in a team or individual sport.  Go walking or swimming.  Shoot hoops in the driveway or play catch in the backyard.
  • Board games.  Remember Candy Land?  Connect Four?  Pictionary?  Games are widely available and great fun.  They afford great opportunities for interaction, and for learning life skills like winning, losing, and cooperation.
  • Face time.  Not the phone app, the real face time.  Find something you and your teen can share and enjoy:  cooking, eating, hiking, stamp collecting, whatever works for you.  Time invested is time well-spent.  You will reap the rewards in getting to know your child better, and they will reap the rewards in knowing you.
  • Channel that interest in computers to online learning games, or learning video games.  Check out learning games on Amazon, or try one of the websites like Adapted Mind, where you can get a 30 day free trial of games for grades 1-6 (if you continue on with membership there’s a monthly fee).

 

Bottom line:  be in charge of what your children do, even if they aren’t always in favor of your monitoring and limits.  It’s your job, and you are aiding in their full development.

 

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved

Video games—pay attention to what your kids are playing

As technology increases at home and school, video games have increased in number.  Each year they become more realistic-looking and exciting.  But they are also often violent, and may contain language and themes inappropriate for your youngster.

Playing video games has benefits, to be certain. They help young people learn eye-hand coordination and computer skills, things they will need to keep up in the modern world.

But there are down sides, too.  Big ones.  Questions and concerns about content top the list, but you should also be aware that many online games require the sharing of personal information and location.

First, content.  The debate continues regarding whether or not violent video games encourage violent behavior.  Opinions abound, but the bottom line is that you should monitor and decide what your child or teen can or cannot play.  In addition to violence, language and themes may often be too adult.

  • Understand ratings.  The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) rates virtually all video games in terms of content, age-appropriateness, and interactive elements (including whether or not location and other information is shared).  All three of these areas are important.
  • Content and age-appropriateness.  The ESRB website has a great video and also written language to help you understand ratings and how they define words such as “animated blood” and “adult humor.”  The basic content and age ratings are:
    • Early Childhood;
    • Everyone;
    • Teen (13 and up);
    • Mature (17 and up);
    • Adults only.
    • Pay attention!  Games rated “Mature” have truly adult themes (sex, violence, language) and are simply NOT appropriate for younger ages.  Even those with a rating of “Teen” may surprise you with their level of violence and tasteless language.
    • PREVIEW.  Learn about games before you buy.  This website at Common Sense Media is a great source of information.  If your youngster is asking for a particular game, look for the title here to see some screen shots and other details.
    • Interactive elements.  If you are concerned about private information being shared, or worry your child or teen might be connecting (accidentally or purposefully) with people you don’t know, READ THIS.

One important note about violence.  Whether or not your teen or child plays violent video games, you should pay attention if he exhibits violent behavior.  If she is violent with you or other family members, with schoolmates or with animals, talk to your pediatrician about finding a counselor.

Bottom line:  know what your child is doing, watching, playing.  Video games are fun, but you need to be aware of content and privacy.

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved

 

Gun safety

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 44 million homes in the U.S. have at least one gun.  In this season when your youngster may be visiting in homes of friends and relatives, or even spying for hidden stashes of gifts, it’s a good time to review gun safety.

  • If you own a gun, it needs to be unobtainable for a young person, not just out of sight.  Children, even the very young, have an incredible knack for finding hidden things.  A three-year-old, for example, found a gun hidden between his parents’ mattress and box springs.  Guns should be unloaded and locked away in a cabinet for that purpose (preferably one that doesn’t have a glass or other see-through door).  Ammunition should be kept in a separate, also locked, location.
  • Talk.  Tell your children about the dangers of guns.  Be clear about rules and firm about what privileges will be taken away if they break those rules.
  • Ask.  If your child or teen is going to someone else’s home, ask whether or not that home has guns and, if so, how they are stored.
  • Don’t assume.  Children are inquisitive; teens want to fit in.  If they see a gun, no matter how well they know your rules, they are likely to want to touch it and play with it.
  • Also, don’t assume that your child would never choose to be violent toward herself or that he would never choose to harm others.  Young people, no matter how good the parenting and how delightful the child, often make bad judgments, especially in the heat of a moment.  In addition, mental illnesses such as depression can surface at nearly any age.
  • Some more statistics from the AAP:  A gun kept in the home triples the risk of homicide.  The risk of suicide is 5 times more likely if a gun is kept in the home.

 

For more information from the AAP, check out this link or this video.

 

Remember, safety is a huge part of staying healthy.

artwork by Corinne

artwork by Corinne

 

© 2013, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved

Halloween Safety

As the goblins, witches, and zombies in your family prepare for a load of candy this week, don’t forget to consider safety.  A surprisingly large number of youngsters end up in the emergency room each Halloween, even though there are simple ways to avoid many injuries.

You may be surprised to know that lots of injuries are related to costuming.  Observe these practices and you can greatly reduce risk:

  • Use reflective tape.  It’ll be dark out there, and you want your trick-or-treater to be visible to drivers and others.
  • Be careful of masks.  Just as visibility is important, so is vision.  A mask should not inhibit your ghoul from being able to see traffic, curbs, and steps, or any other walking hazard.
  • Watch the length.  Going up steps and over curbs requires a shorter length to keep your skeleton from tripping and breaking a bone or suffering a sprain.
  • Light up the dark.  Send your wizard off with a flashlight, which can double as a magic wand.

Observing is essential.  Keep your ghosts in view so you are always aware where they are and who they’re with.

Have a conversation about safety before they hit the sidewalk.  Look carefully before crossing the street; don’t go into any home unless parents have said it’s okay; be considerate of others, especially of children who are younger.  There’s plenty of candy to go around.

Speaking of candy…  Okay, so that’s what it’s all about.  But too much candy at once can turn your little zombie into a Tasmanian Devil.  Set up some rules ahead of time.  How much candy can be eaten on Halloween, and how much should be saved for future treats?  Most candy freezes well.

So, when the ghoulish night arrives, be safe and have a great time!

 

artwork by Kennedy

artwork by Kennedy

© 2013, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved.

Swim safely!

Though it’s been so rainy here lately you could almost go boating in your back yard, it IS summer, and we know that hot days will return and the kids (and grownups!) will want to go to the pool to cool down.

Of course, you want your family to be safe, so here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re swimming this summer.

  • Make sure your children learn how to swim, but don’t become overconfident of their abilities.  The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) recommendation is that children age 4 and older should have formal swim lessons.  (See their specific advice here.)  Those at highest risk of drowning are toddlers and teenaged boys.
  • Don’t dive into anything shallow, or where you can’t see the bottom.  This includes ponds and creeks, but also pools that have become cloudy.  Spinal cord or other serious injuries can result.
  • Follow the rules set by lifeguards.  It’s their job to protect your safety while you have fun with your friends.
  • Never allow any child to swim unsupervised.  A responsible adult should always be present, even if it’s just at a wading pool.  Don’t leave a wading pool with water in it.
  • If you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, make sure it’s properly fenced and that the gate is locked.  No matter how much you tell your children not to go into the pool area alone, it can be very tempting!

That AAP article cited above contains good information about lifejackets, boating, lakes, and piers.  It also spells out more about fencing, swim lessons for children younger than 4, and other water safety specifics.  Check it out.

Stay cool this summer, and be safe!

Joel, age 10

Joel, age 10

 

© 2013, Melissa Bane Sevier

Print this blog for your teenager to read

Texting while driving (TWD)—are you ready for this statistic?—increases by 23 times the risk of an accident.

Even if you think you or your friends would never text behind the wheel, a new article in Contemporary Pediatrics indicates that nearly half of teens do so.  Not only that, people who text behind the wheel are also more likely to drink and drive, ride with someone who’s been drinking, or not use a seat belt.

What to do about it?

  • Teens and parents should talk about this together.  Starting the conversation before driving age is best, but it’s never too late.
  • Make a contract.  Parents and teenagers can agree NOT to TWD, drive under the influence, or ride with someone who participates in dangerous behavior.  Here is a sample of such a contract.
  • Eliminate the temptation.  Put the phone in the back seat.  If you’re expecting an important text and hear the notification, pull over at a parking lot to retrieve it.

One more issue:  what do you say to a driver who’s texting?  You can always give the excuse, “My parents will ground me forever if I’m riding with a texting driver.  Do you mind waiting?”  Or, “Hand me your phone and I’ll send a reply saying you’re driving and will get back to them soon.”  If nothing works, don’t ride with that person in the future, or get your parents to come pick you up.  They’d much rather be inconvenienced for an hour than leave you in a dangerous situation.

Bottom line:  Don’t text and drive.  It can wait.

Artwork by Wyn, age 13

Artwork by Wyn, age 13

 

 

© 2013, MBS Writing Services