Fireworks Safety

Since the Fourth of July is almost here, I have some information on fireworks safety for you. Fireworks laws vary from state to state so if you are unsure of what is allowed in your state, check out this site: http://www.americanpyro.com/State%20Laws%20(main)/statelaws.html from the American Pyrotechnics Association. If your state does not allow fireworks, DO NOT go to another state to buy fireworks. That is illegal and could get you in big trouble.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) released a report last year on fireworks safety. Here are some of the highlights to make you aware of the safety issues:

CPSC staff has reports of two fireworks-related deaths during 2009.

Fireworks were involved in an estimated 8,800 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2009. CPSC staff estimated that there were 7,000 fireworks-related injuries during 2008.

An estimated 5,900 fireworks-related injuries (or 67 percent of the total fireworks-related injuries) were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during the one-month special study period between June 19, 2009 and July 19, 2009.

Of the fireworks-related injuries sustained, 73 percent were to males and 27 percent were to females.

Injuries to children were a major component of total fireworks-related injuries with children under 15 years old accounting for 39 percent of the estimated injuries. Children and young adults under 20 years old had 54 percent of the estimated injuries.

There were an estimated 1,200 injuries associated with firecrackers. Of these, 700 were associated with small firecrackers, 200 with illegal firecrackers, and 300 where the type of firecracker was not specified.

There were an estimated 1,000 injuries associated with sparklers and 300 with bottle rockets.

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS:

Here are some safety tips from the CPSC:

Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.

Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them. (Check out the link at the beginning of this post for this information)

Study about Drinking and Driving

I just read a news release from the University of California, San Diego about a study on drinking and driving. Here are the highlights about the study:

A study led by David Phillips and published in the journal Addiction finds that blood-alcohol levels well below the U.S. legal limit are associated with incapacitating injury and death. “Accidents are 36.6 percent more severe even when alcohol was barely detectable in a driver’s blood...Compared with sober drivers, buzzed drivers are more likely to speed, more likely to be improperly seat-belted and more likely to drive the striking vehicle, all of which are associated with greater severity.”

“We hope that our study might influence not only U.S. legislators, but also foreign legislators, in providing empirical evidence for lowering the legal BAC even more,” Phillips said. “Doing so is very likely to reduce incapacitating injuries and to save lives.”

If you want more information on impaired driving, check out this link:

Impaired Driving (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Protect Yourself from Ticks this Summer

Summer is here and with summer comes more outdoor activities and more chance of coming in contact with ticks. Ticks can be in woods, tall grass, and many other areas. It’s important to protect yourself from ticks since they can cause many illnesses.

Tips to protect yourself from ticks:

- Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin

- Wear light-colored protective clothing (long sleeves and long pants)

- Tuck pant legs into socks

- Avoid tick-infested areas

- Check yourself, your children and your pets daily for ticks and carefully remove any ticks you find

If you find that a tick has attached itself to you, it’s important to remove it immediately. The best method for removing ticks is using tweezers. Here is some guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

How to remove a tick

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.

2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.

3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

There are many illnesses caused by tick bites. Many tickborne illnesses have common symptoms:

- A skin rash

- Fever/chills

- Headache

- Muscle pain

- Stiff neck

- Swelling of knees and other large joints

It can be hard to diagnose a tickborne illness since these symptoms are vague and can be caused by any number of things. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

For more information on tick bites and tickborne illness, check out these web sites:

Ticks (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) This site has some great illustrations of the different kinds of ticks: Tick Life Cycle and Hosts

Tick Removal (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Tickborne Diseases (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

Swimming Pool Safety

I figured since summer is here it would be a good time to post some swimming pool safety tips. Here are some tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

If you have a swimming pool:

- Install a 4-sided isolation pool fence with a self-locking gate that completely separates the house and play area of the yard from the pool area.

- Remove toys from the pool and surrounding area immediately after use.

- The fence or other barrier should be at least four feet high or taller. It should have no footholds or handholds that could help a young child to climb it.

- Vertical fence slats should be less than four inches apart to prevent a child from squeezing through.

- If the fence is chain link, then no part of the diamond-shaped opening should be larger than 1-3/4 inches.

- The maximum clearance at the bottom of the barrier should not exceed four inches above grade.

- Fence gates should open out from the pool and should be self-closing and self-latching. The gate should be well maintained to close and latch easily. The latch should be out of a child’s reach.

- If a gate is properly designed, even if the gate is not completely latched, a young child pushing on the gate to enter the pool area will at least close the gate and may actually engage the latch.

- The release mechanism for the gate should be at least three inches below the top of the gate on the side facing the pool.

- The gate should have no opening greater than 1/2 inch within 18 inches of the latch release mechanism. This prevents a young child from reaching through the gate and releasing the latch.

The CPSC has a great pool safety web site that includes videos and other helpful information. Check it out here: http://www.poolsafely.gov

Summer Safety Tips Part II

Since re-posted the Summer Safety Tips Part I from last year, I thought I'd post Part II since it contains many more helpful tips.

Keep your family safe this summer by following these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

FIREWORKS SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/safety.cfm

1. Fireworks can result in severe burns, scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime.
2. Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, such as sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, and can burn users and bystanders.
3. Families should attend community fireworks displays run by professionals rather than using fireworks at home.
4. The AAP recommends prohibiting public sale of all fireworks, including those by mail or the Internet.

BOATING SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tippslip.htm

1. Children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water.
2. Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child. The jacket should not be loose. It should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.
3. Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts and air mattresses should not be used as life jackets or life preservers.
4. Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection, and to set a good example.
5. Adolescents and adults should be warned of the dangers of boating when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and even some prescription medications.

Open water swimming

1. Never swim alone. Even good swimmers need buddies!
2. A lifeguard (or another adult who knows about water rescue) needs to be watching children whenever they are in or near the water. Younger children should be closely supervised while in or near the water – use “touch supervision,” keeping no more than an arm’s length away.
3. Make sure your child knows never to dive into water except when permitted by an adult who knows the depth of the water and who has checked for underwater objects.
4. Never let your child swim in canals or any fast moving water.
5. Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES
Source: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;105/6/1352

1. Children who are not licensed to drive a car should not be allowed to operate off-road vehicles. 2. Because their nervous systems and judgment have not fully developed, off-road vehicles are particularly dangerous for children younger than 16 years.
3. Don’t ride double. Passengers are frequently injured when riding ATV’s.
4. All riders should wear helmets, eye protection and protective reflective clothing. Appropriate helmets are those designed for motorcycle (not bicycle) use, and should include safety visors/face shields for eye protection.
5. ATVs lack the common safety equipment found on all cars and trucks that are designed for street use. Parents should never permit nighttime riding or street use of off-road vehicles.
6. Flags, reflectors and lights should be used to make vehicles more visible.
7. Drivers of recreational vehicles should not drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or even some prescription medicines. Parents should set an example for their children in this regard.
8. Young drivers should be discouraged from on-road riding of any 2-wheeled motorized cycle, even when they are able to be licensed to do so, because they are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars.

© American Academy of Pediatrics, June 2009 Please feel free to use them in any print or broadcast story, with appropriate attribution of source.

FDA Ruling on Sunscreens

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just released new guidelines for the labeling of sunscreen products. I thought I'd post a summary of the requirements of the ruling so you can be aware of what changes are coming to sunscreens. These products contain so many claims that this ruling should help clear up a lot of confusion consumers face when choosing a sunscreen product.

The new final rule includes the following requirements:

Broad Spectrum designation. Sunscreens that pass FDA's broad spectrum test procedure, which measures a product's UVA protection relative to its UVB protection, may be labeled as "Broad Spectrum SPF [value]" on the front label. For Broad Spectrum sunscreens, SPF values also indicate the amount or magnitude of overall protection. Broad Spectrum SPF products with SPF values higher than 15 provide greater protection and may claim additional uses, as described in the next bullet.

Use claims. Only Broad Spectrum sunscreens with an SPF value of 15 or higher can claim to reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging if used as directed with other sun protection measures. Non-Broad Spectrum sunscreens and Broad Spectrum sunscreens with an SPF value between 2 and 14 can only claim to help prevent sunburn.

"Waterproof, "sweatproof" or "sunblock" claims. Manufacturers cannot label sunscreens as "waterproof" or "sweatproof," or identify their products as "sunblocks," because these claims overstate their effectiveness. Sunscreens also cannot claim to provide sun protection for more than 2 hours without reapplication or to provide protection immediately after application (for example-- "instant protection") without submitting data to support these claims and obtaining FDA approval.

Water resistance claims. Water resistance claims on the front label must indicate whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Sunscreens that are not water resistant must include a direction instructing consumers to use a water resistant sunscreen if swimming or sweating.

Drug Facts. All sunscreens must include standard "Drug Facts" information on the back and/or side of the container.

Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreens come in many forms, including ointments, creams, gels, lotions, wax sticks, and sprays.

If you do happen to get a sunburn, here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:

First Aid

- Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve pain, headache, and fever.

- Drink plenty of water to help replace fluid losses.

- Comfort burns with cool baths or the gentle application of cool wet cloths.

- Avoid further exposure until the burn has resolved.

- Use of a topical moisturizing cream, aloe, or 1% hydrocortisone cream may provide additional relief.

If blistering occurs:

- Lightly bandage or cover the area with gauze to prevent infection.

- Do not break blisters. (This slows healing and increases risk of infection.)

- When the blisters break and the skin peels, dried skin fragments may be removed and an antiseptic ointment or hydrocortisone cream may be applied.

Summer Safety Tips - Part 1

Last year I posted some summer safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Since a good part of the country has been experiencing record high temperatures lately, I thought it was time to post these tips again.

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS - PART I

Keep your family safe this summer by following these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

FUN IN THE SUN
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/tanning.htm

Babies under 6 months:

The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.

For All Other Children:

1. The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
2. Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
3. On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVB and UVA rays.
4. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
5. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
6. Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN Source: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9845.html

1. The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
2. At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
3. Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
4. Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.
5. Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

POOL SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tipppool.htm

1. Install a fence at least four-feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.
2. Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.
3. If the house serves as the fourth side of a fence surrounding a pool, install an alarm on the exit door to the yard and the pool.
4. Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment.
5. Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd’s hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.
6. Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
7. Children age 4 and older should be taught to swim. Parents may choose to start swimming lessons before age 4 if their children are developmentally ready, but swim programs should never be seen as “drown proofing” a child of any age.
8. Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."
9. Avoid Entrapment: Suction from pool and spa drains can trap an adult underwater. Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers. Ask your pool operator if your pool or spa’s drains are compliant with the Pool and Spa Safety Act.
10. Large inflatable above-ground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use. Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable pool. Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain unsupervised access.

BUG SAFETY

1. Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
2. Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
3. Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
4. To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently back it out by scraping it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
5. Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
6. Use insect repellents containing DEET when need to prevent insect related diseases such as ticks which can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes which can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
7. The current CDC and AAP recommendation for children over 2 months of age is to use 10- 30 percent DEET. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
8. The effectiveness is similar for 10-30% DEET but the duration of effect varies. Ten percent DEET provides protection for about 2 hours – 30% for about 5 hours – choose the lowest concentration that will provide required length of coverage.
9. The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when back indoors.
10. As an alternative to DEET, Picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of 5-10%.

For more information on DEET: http://www.aapnews.org/cgi/content/full/e200399v1

PLAYGROUND SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/maytra.htm Source: http://www.aap.org/family/playgrd.htm

1. The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches. The protective surface should be installed at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.
2. Equipment should be carefully maintained. Open “s” hooks or protruding bolt ends can be hazardous.
3. Swing seats should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
4. Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
5. Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.
6. Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children's legs from getting burned.
7. Do not allow children to play barefoot on the playground.
8. Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use home trampolines.
9. Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.

BICYCLE SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tbikmyth.htm

1. Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes.
2. Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one. For more information on finding the proper fit, go to http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm#choosing
3. Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to "grow into." Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.
4. Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. Children learn best by observing you. Set the example: Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
5. When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.
6. A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
7. A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction. If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.

SKATEBOARD, SCOOTER, IN-LINE SKATING AND HEELYS SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/marskate.htm

1. Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.
2. All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear a helmet and other protective gear; wrist guards are particularly important.
3. Communities should continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home.
4. While in-line skating or wearing Heelys, be sure to wear appropriate protective equipment and only skate on designated paths or rinks and not on the street.

LAWN MOWER SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tipplawn.htm

1. Try to use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is let go.
2. Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
3. Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing.
4. Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.
5. Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.
6. Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.
7. Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.

Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics. Please feel free to use tips in any print or broadcast story with appropriate attribution of source.

Teen Driving Safety Tips

I just read an article in my local paper about teen drivers and how accidents increase during the summer months. I thought I'd share some safety tips with you. These are useful to all drivers, not just teens.

Before you start to drive:

- Put on your seat belt and make sure all your passengers buckle up, too.

- Never try to fit more people in the car than you have seat belts for them to use. Most states have laws requiring seat belt use, at least by the passengers in the front seats.

- Maintain your car. Bald tires, a slipping transmission, bad brakes, or a hesitant engine could lead to accidents.

- Don't drink and drive, and don't ride with anyone who has been drinking. Don’t be afraid to call parents or friends to take you home if you need a ride.

- Don't take drugs or drive if you've taken any. Don't ride with anyone who has been using drugs. Even some over the counter drugs can make you drowsy. Check label for warnings.

- Use a designated driver when going out for a night on the town with friends. This person does not drink at all and has the responsibility of getting people home safely

While on the road:

- Obey the speed limits--going too fast gives you less time to stop or react. Excess speed is one of the main causes of teenage accidents.

- Obey stop signs and traffic lights -- don't run yellow or red lights.

- Use turn signals to indicate your intention to turn or to change lanes.

- Don't blast the radio, CD, or MP3 player. You might miss hearing a siren or a horn that could warn you of possible trouble.

- Don't fiddle with the radio or your iPod while you are driving. Doing so will take your attention away from the road. Pull over if you have to.

- Don't talk on the cell phone, text, put on make-up, comb your hair, or eat while driving. People who talk on cell phones while driving are four times more likely to have an accident.

- Be aware of the weather, traffic congestion, and road conditions – stay alert!

Tips for Healthier Teeth and Gums

I haven't posted much in the way of dental subjects so I thought I'd share some tips one how to have healthier teeth, along with some links to more detailed information. We all want to keep our own teeth for as long as we can so it's important to take good care of them by brushing and flossing regularly and doing some other things as well.

Here are some tips from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research:

- Brush your teeth every day with a fluoride toothpaste

- Floss your teeth every day

- Snack smart – limit sugary snacks

- Don't smoke or chew tobacco

- See your dentist regularly

And here are some guidelines from the American Dental Association for proper flossing:

- Using a piece of floss about 18 inches long, wrap it around the forefinger of both hands and hold it between the forefingers and thumbs. Forefingers will rotate the floss as it becomes dirty, ensuring that clean floss is used continually.

- Gently ease the floss between teeth and rub it against each tooth.

- Push the floss into a "C" shape against each tooth, sliding it gently between the tooth and gum, and up and down the tooth.

- Repeat on each tooth, making sure to get both sides of all teeth, even those in the back.

Here are some web sites for more detailed information on dental health:

Mouth and Teeth: How To Keep Them Healthy (American Academy of Family Physicians)

Oral Health: Brush Up on Dental Care Basics (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth (National Institute on Aging)