Volume 15 Issue 31                                                                                 Spring 2021

Thank you for being a Safety Source family! 
Preparing for Summer Edition

Warmer weather is officially upon us! Although, Memorial Day officially marks the start of summer break for kids, it can also be a dangerous time if you don't keep safety in mind!  Our May Monthly newsletter highlights National Trauma Awareness Month, water safety tips for kids, ATV safety, and much more! In this issue, you will find interactive tools for your family regarding bicycle and pedestrian safety as well as a few special Mother's Day breakfast ideas for kids! We hope this will be a fun way to learn about important safety topics together as a family. Let us know if we can be a resource to you in any way! As always, our goal is to include the best topics to keep your family happy, healthy, and safe! If you wish to see a particular topic or question addressed in our next issue, please let us know!

Every May, the American Trauma Society and other partner organizations and trauma colleagues come together to celebrate National Trauma Awareness Month (NTAM). Since being designated by President Ronald Reagan and Congress in 1988, National Trauma Awareness Month has continued to highlight and prevent major causes of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. – distracted driving, sports injuries, water safety, helmet use, red light running and more.

According to the American Trauma Society (ATS), National Trauma Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect on how to keep ourselves, our families, our work force, and our communities safer by recognizing these distractions and helping to prevent injuries and deaths.

Over the years the following have been some of the campaign themes of National Trauma Awareness Month:

• Drunk Driving
• Teen Driving
• School violence
• Sports Injuries (General)
• Sports Injuries/Concussions
• Safety at Home
• Water Safety
• Head Injuries/Helmet use
• Red Light Running

Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt are committed to spreading the message of safety through our virtual educational classes, use of social media, and our educational newsletter. We are also participating with local high schools to address distracted driving and ATV safety.

As you go through this month’s newsletter, we hope you take a moment to go through the important topics we have covered and ensure you spread the message of safety.

National Heatstroke Prevention Day was May 1, 2021. Between 2019 and 2020, there have been 77 child heatstroke fatalities in the US.¹ The ages of these children ranged from 5 days to 14 years old. More than half of the deaths were children under the age of 2 years.¹ It is important to note that these deaths could have been prevented. In most cases, the driver simply forgot that the child was in the vehicle. This can happen to anyone, including a loving and attentive parent. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also mentions that the second most common occurrence was the child playing in an unattended vehicle. Parents often don’t realize that cars heat up quickly! In just 10 minutes, a car can heat up 19 degrees F.⁴ So, leaving your child in the car even to run a quick errand isn’t safe and can be deadly.

Here are a few safety tips to remember to help keep your children safe.

• Avoid distractions while driving, especially cell phone use.
• Be extra alert when there is a change in your routine, like when someone else is driving your child or you take a different route to work or child care.
• Have your childcare provider call if your child is more than 10 minutes late.
• Put your cell phone, bag, or purse in the back seat, so you check the back seat when you arrive at your destination.
• If someone else is driving your child, always check to make sure he has arrived safely.

• Educate your child that cars are not toys and aren’t a safe hiding place. Children should never play in or around cars.
• Be sure to lock all of your vehicle’s doors and windows while at home to prevent your child from playing inside.
• Never leave your child alone inside the car, even for a second.
• Always remember to park, lock, and look when leaving your vehicle. This will ensure that a child isn’t left in a vehicle by mistake.
• Setting a mobile alarm on your phone can be a helpful reminder to ensure that no child was left behind.

If you notice a child was left in the vehicle, it is imperative that you act fast and call 911. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult. When left in a hot car, a child's major organs begin to shut down when his temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit (F). A child can die when his temperature reaches 107 degrees F.²

Your courage to step up can save a child’s life. A good Samaritan law that went into effect in Tennessee July 1, 2014 gives legal protection to those who attempt to remove a child from a vehicle to save their life. According to the law, those who have a reasonable belief a child is in danger and have contacted first responders for assistance may forcibly enter a locked vehicle without fear of punishment (T.C.A. § 29-34-209).

For more child passenger safety tips, visit our website here.

Source:

1. https://www.noheatstroke.org/index.htm
2. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Prevent-Child-Deaths-in-Hot-Cars.aspx
3. https://www.safekids.org/heatstroke

This year, Memorial Day is on May 31^st! Memorial Day marks the opening of many pools and beaches for the summer season. While this is an exciting time to get outside and have fun, it is important to abide by important water safety rules to ensure a fantastic time free of injury.

Drowning is the leading cause of injury related death amongst children ages 1-4. While 90% of parents claim to supervise children while swimming, many also acknowledge that they engage in distracting activities like talking, eating, or reading simultaneously (1). Drowning can occur very quickly and quietly even when lifeguards are present. It is important to closely monitor children at all times.

Here are some ways to stay safe while swimming in a pool (2):

• Learn to swim by enrolling in a swimming lesson.
• Never swim alone! There should always be an adult who knows how to swim present when children are in or near the water. The adult should actively supervise the children completely undistracted.
• Avoid pool drains: make sure to teach children never to play/swim near pool drains or suction outlets. They can cause children to get stuck underwater.
• Put your child in a US Coast Guard approved life jacket when around water, even when at a home pool.
• Install pool alarms that can detect waves on the water’s surface and draw attention when someone has fallen into the pool.
• Make sure to have a pool fence that is climb-proof, is locked when the pool is not in use, and has vertical slats no more than 5 inches so small children cannot squeeze through. The fence should also be at least 4 feet high and completely surround the pool.

When spending time at open bodies of water (ocean, lakes, rivers) children require the same level of attention to ensure no accidents occur. You should always enter the water feet first for the first time. You never know how deep the water is or if there are underwater hazards such as rocks. Entering feet first can save you from injury! Here are some more tips for swimming at open bodies of water (3):

• Look for any signs that say “No Diving” or any other instructions. Be sure to follow these rules as these potential hazards are often things you can’t see on your own.
• Do not swim in beaches with large waves or rip currents.
• Avoid swimming where there are large boats or people fishing.
• Always wear a life jacket when swimming in open water. Be sure to wear a life jacket when participating in water sports or on a boat, raft, or tube as well.

Boating is another fun, summer activity that kicks off in the month of May. Always be sure to wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket when boating that is appropriate for your child’s weight and the water activity. When on docks and marinas, it is also important to be sure your child has on their life jacket. Learning basic water rescue skills and CPR is also important to ensure efficient response to any emergencies without risking your own safety (3).

Following these tips will allow you to enjoy the summer sun and engage in fun water activities without any unwanted injuries!

Source:

• https://www.vumc.org/injuryprevention/pool-safety-101
• https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Water-Safety-for-Older-Children.aspx
• https://safekids.org/tip/boating-safety-tips

Ready, Set, Cycle! May is National Bike Month. Learning how to ride a bike is a significant childhood milestone for parents and their children. Whether you're riding for fun, fitness, family bonding, or taking essential trips to work or shop, we encourage you to prioritize safety. From 2008 to 2019, the number of cycling fatalities in the United States grew 38%.[1] In 2019 alone, 846 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States.[2]

Make sure to follow the safety tips below to ensure that your child has a safe ride:

1. Wear a properly-fitted helmet - Helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent! (3) Always wear a properly fitted helmet that meets Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. If you notice that your helmet is missing a CPSC certification sticker, please do not wear it while riding. Bike helmets need to be positioned one to two fingers above the eyebrows. To check to see if your child's helmet fits properly, have your child look up while wearing the helmet. Your child should be able to see the bottom rim of the helmet. Also, the helmet straps should form a "V" underneath your child's ears once buckled. Lastly, the chin strap should fit snugly directly under your child's chin.

2. Inspect your cycling equipment before each ride - If a helmet has been in a crash, replace it. Make sure that the bike saddle is adjusted to adequate height and securely locked in place. When children are sitting on the saddle of the bike, their feet should touch the ground. Also, ensure that reflectors are secure, brakes work properly, gears shift smoothly, and tires are tightly secured and properly inflated. A bike horn or bell and a rear-view mirror also are recommended.
3. See and be seen - If your child is riding at dawn or dusk or after dark, a white front headlamp and a flashing rear lamp and rear reflector are required. Attach reflective stickers to your child's helmet so drivers can see him or her more easily. Regardless of the time of day, the National Hight Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that children wear neon fluorescent-colored clothing while riding.[4]
4. Be alert - Keep a watchful eye on children until you're comfortable that they are responsible for riding independently. Children less than 10 years old should exclusively ride on the sidewalk. But regardless of where you ride, teach your child to stay alert and watch for cars, trucks, potholes, cracks, and road debris.
Taking these safety precautions will help prevent cycling-related injuries from impacting you and your family. Have fun pedaling!

Sources:
1. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/mo...
2. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.g...
3. https://www.mysouthernhealth.c...
4. https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/i...

Many children and their parents will spend Memorial Day weekend outside enjoying warmer weather and summer activities. But as temperatures go up, the reported number of all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related incidents and deaths also increases. With many ATV trails opening on Memorial Day weekend, we would like to offer a reminder that safety comes first.

Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2018 annual ATV report on deaths and injuries finds there were 81,800 ATV-related emergency department-treated injuries reported in 2018. More than a quarter of those injuries were sustained by children under 16 years old, the highest of any age group. ATVs become more dangerous when children drive adult-sized vehicles, or when passengers ride on ATVs built for only one rider.

ATV injuries are a leading cause of trauma-related admissions to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Injuries to the head, face and abdomen, as well as orthopedic injuries, are among the most common trauma seen. “We need to remember that ATVs are powerful machines,” said Purnima Unni, MPH, CHES, Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention Program Coordinator at Children’s Hospital. “The common causes of ATV-related admissions to our hospital are because the child was riding on an adult-sized ATV or was riding with a friend or behind a friend on the same ATV and was not wearing their helmet.”

Children are more prone to ATV injuries because of their lack of experience operating motorized vehicles, lack of psychomotor control and coordination, and lack of judgment that can result in risk-taking behavior and poor decision-making skills.

“It is important to remember that if you and your child plan on riding four-wheelers, it is crucial that you take the appropriate safety precautions,” Unni added.

Children’s Hospital fully supports the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) recommendations that children 16 and under should not ride ATVs due to the high risk of serious injuries. However, if parents plan to allow their child to ride an ATV despite the known risk that these vehicles pose to children, the following safety measures are strongly recommended:

• Children younger than 16 should not ride on adult-sized ATVs because they are twice as likely to be injured compared to those who ride on youth-sized ATVs. Please refer to manufacturer recommendations for the appropriately sized ATV.

• Always wear protective gear – especially a helmet – when riding ATVs. Head injuries are by far the leading cause of death and disability related to ATV crashes — helmets are known to reduce head injuries by 85 percent. Wear a motorcycle or motorized sports helmet and make sure it is certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation or the Snell Memorial Foundation.

• Remember, ATVs are meant for a single rider. They are not meant to carry passengers.

• ATVs are not meant to be driven on the road. Traveling on the road decreases the stability of the vehicle.

• Do not drive an ATV while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Take a hands-on safety training course.

To learn more about ATV safety, visit our website here

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States, ahead of all other types of injury, disease, or violence.¹ For many people, Memorial Day officially marks the start of the summer season. However, Memorial Day marks the start of the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. Memorial Day marks the specific time of year where teen crashes significantly rise over the next 100 days due to school being out for summer break.

Here are 4 tips on how to keep your teen driver safe this summer:

• Limit the number of passengers. Did you know adding two passengers under the age of 21 doubles the risk of car crash for a teen driver? The Tennessee GDL law restricts the number of passengers a teen driver can have.
• Avoid distractions! As of September 2020, there have been over 14,000 distracted driving-related accidents in Tennessee alone. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that in 2018, nine percent of all teens who died in motor vehicle crashes were killed in crashes that involved distracted driving. Teen drivers are more at risk of being involved in an accident than any other age group due to their lack of experience.
• Always wear a seatbelt. Seat belts really do save lives and it is one of the safest choices both passengers and drivers can make when getting in the car. Seat belts are important because they help to secure you in the vehicle in case of a crash. Unfortunately, teenagers have the lowest seat belt use than any other age group. The majority of teens involved in a fatal crash were not wearing a seat belt.
• Never drive impaired. There were over 10,000 deaths in the US from drunk driving crashes in 2019.¹ Not only is driving impaired a crime, but it can also take a life. Remember to always be a responsible driver. If you are drinking, plan a safe ride home by using a ride share app or by calling a loved one.

Talk with your teen driver early about being a safe driver this summer. Many parents do not understand that teens first learn how to drive by watching them. Be sure to set a good example every time you get behind the wheel. Click here to utilize our parent teen driving contract to guide the conversation with your teen. For more teen driving tips, visit our website here. To learn more about the Ford Driving Skills for Life Program visit their website here. Has your teen driver enrolled in the FDSL Academy yet? Learn how to be a safer driver from the comfort of your own home. The FDSL Academy is designed to provide you additional training that will help keep you safe on the road.

Source:

1. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving