Volume 27 Issue 50                                                                                   Winter 2022

Safety Source

                      Thank you for being part of the Safety Source family!

Winter Safety Edition

 Our January monthly newsletter highlights Winter Sports Safety, Healthy Screen Habits, Toy Safety, Staying Warm in Winter, Child Passenger Safety, and more. There are interactive tools for your children to learn about home safety, a link to sign up for recalls on children's products and a fun coloring page.

 Let us know if we can be a resource to you in any way!

The holidays are winding down and life is starting to return to a less chaotic pace. As we look forward to a new year, new goals, and new experiences, the kids are ready to enjoy their new toys. By following these safety tips, it allows parents peace of mind in helping our kids to stay safe.

• Make sure toys are age appropriate. The American Academy of Pediatrics carefully inspects for potential hazards and directs manufacturers in safe play guidelines.
• Check for small parts that your young child could choke on, including on dolls and stuffed animals. Also, make sure the toy doesn’t have sharp edges that could injure the child.
• Ensure your kiddos are utilizing the correct safety gear, especially helmets when on anything with wheels.
• Batteries can be deadly! All toy battery compartments should be secured, and batteries should be stowed out of reach of children.

Each year for Christmas, gifts are bestowed upon children throughout the season’s celebrations. Over the last several decades, video games have become wildly popular, and in more recent times, iPads and cell phones have joined the ranks of most coveted gifts for children. The technology and entertainment of such devices are capable of stimulating children for hours. This can be delightful for both children and their parents, but some considerations must be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of our youth engaged in such activities.

While screen time can introduce children to positive life tools such as communication, creativity, and deep thinking, it can also impact essential activities such as exercise, family time, reading, homework, and imagination play. Too much screen time can lead to depression, anxiety, and decreased energy. Keep in mind that online gaming and text conversations is a modern and normal way for children to engage with their friends and family members. Our job as parents is to create parameters for healthy habits by teaching appropriate behavior.

The American Pediatric Association makes the following recommendations:

• 0 to 18 months: Avoid screens
• 18 to 24 months: Co-View/minimal viewing
• 2 to 5 years old: 1 hour screen time max
• 6+: Set consistent limits

Other helpful tips to ensure that your child is engaging in safe, healthy screen time are as follows:

• Set clear expectations: talk to your child about what they are and are not allowed to do, who they can talk to via chat or text, what websites they may view, and how much screen time they are allowed to engage in each day. Monitor their activity periodically to ensure they are being safe.
• Talk to them about cyber bullying, and the importance of sticking to safe sites when online. Make sure your children understand the dangers of sharing personal information or photos online.
  
• Encourage your child to take frequent breaks from the screen when engaging in video games.

Screen time can be a blast for kids and can provide a much-needed break for parents. Follow these tips for an enjoyable and safe online experience!

Do you know the signs of hypothermia or frostbite? Since we have already had our first snow of the season, it is time to refresh on a few winter weather tips on staying warm during sleep and play.

Sleep Safety. Extra blankets can seem so cozy in a baby’s crib, but soft bedding can block a baby’s airway during sleep. A firm mattress covered with a tight-fitting crib sheet is all you need for your baby to sleep well. If you’re worried about keeping your baby warm on those cold winter nights, try using a sleep sack (wearable blanket).

Remember the ABC’s of Safe Sleep: ALONE, on their BACK, and in a CRIB (or safe sleep space).

Playing Outside. Wear warm clothing, and have your kids come indoors periodically to prevent hypothermia or frostbite. Dressing them in several thin layers can help keep them warm and dry. Kids also might not be inclined to drink as much water when they’re playing in cold weather because they don’t get as hot. Remind them to stay properly hydrated. Compared to adults, children are at increased risk of dehydration.

Hypothermia:

Hypothermia develops when a child's temperature falls below normal due to exposure to colder temperatures. It often happens when a child is playing outdoors in extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing or when clothes get wet. It can occur more quickly in children than in adults.

As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy. Speech may become slurred and body temperature will decline in more severe cases.

If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 at once. Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him in blankets or warm clothes.

Frostbite:

Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen. This condition tends to happen on extremities like the fingers, toes, ears and nose. They may become pale, gray and blistered. At the same time, the child may complain that his/her skin burns or has become numb.

If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts of her body in warm (not hot) water. 104° Fahrenheit (about the temperature of most hot tubs) is recommended. Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears and lips.

Do not rub the frozen areas.

After a few minutes, dry and cover the child with clothing or blankets. Give him/her something warm to drink.

If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.

Sources:

Safe Kids: Hot Tips for Cold Weather & Winter Safety Checklist

American Academy of Pediatrics: healthychildren.org: Tips to Keep Kids Warm All Winter

As child passenger safety technicians, we get the opportunity to work with families to make sure their most precious cargo is being transported safely. Before your next trip, review these quick tips to help ensure a safer ride for little ones:

1. Purchasing: Choose a seat that fits your vehicle, fits your child’s height and weight and one that all caregivers can install correctly every time.
2. Installation: If a child safety seat is correctly installed, when you pull the seat at the belt path, the seat should move no more than one inch from side to side or back to front.
3. Recline: Be sure the child safety seat is at the proper recline angle. Check your seat often to be sure it is still in the correct position.
4. Harness Straps: The harness straps should come out of the child safety seat at or below a child’s shoulders for rear-facing position or at or above a child’s shoulders for forward facing position. They should fit snugly with no slack.
5. Switching Positions: There is no rush to switch from rear facing to forward facing or from forward facing to a booster seat as each position is safer than the next. Keep your child in each position until the height OR weight maximum on the child safety seat is reached. For booster seats, a child should remain in a booster seat until they are 9 years old AND four feet and nine inches tall.

Sources:

Safe Kids: https://ucsg.safekids.org/

American Academy of Pediatrics: Child Passenger Safety

Long road trips can be an exciting time for families. During the winter months, there are important safety tips that must be followed to help keep everyone safe. Consider these safety tips if you or your family will be traveling this winter:

Before You Go:

• Check your tires- Inspect your tires at least once a month before any road trip.
  • Make sure each tire is filled with your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendation.

• Other items to check-
  •  Battery
  •  Lights
  •  Colling system
  •  Windshield Wipers and you water reservoir.

• Plan your route- check local weather and traffic reports and let others know your route

While Traveling:

• Keep an eye on your gas tank- It is highly suggested that do not let your gas tank fall below the half mark.

• Avoid risky driving behaviors- Such as texting and driving. Remember to obey all traffic laws such as always wearing a seat belt and not speeding above the speed limit. Avoid driving under the influence which includes drug impaired driving.

• Be aware of weather conditions- Do not use cruise control if you suspect that the road may have ice or snow on it. Be cautious of black ice.

In case of an emergency:

• To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.¹

• Be sure to stay with your vehicle- Your vehicle provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Do not try to walk in a severe storm. It is easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.²

Staying informed and being prepared for long distance travel is extremely important. For more driving safety tips visit our page here.

Source:

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Injuries during winter sports and activities are bound to happen. Kids love to push their limits and parents don’t want to take the fun out of play. There is nothing less fun than not being able to play because of an injury, especially a preventable injury from play. More than 47,000 children were treated in emergency departments for injuries related to sledding, ice skating and snowboarding every year, and most of these injuries were preventable. We all want to have fun in the snow, and we also want to stay safe and healthy during our winter sport activities.

Before starting your activity, locate and utilize proper safety gear. This may include shin guards, mouth guards and helmets when they’re skiing, snowboarding, or playing ice hockey. Yes, even while sledding a helmet is a good idea. You can use a ski or bike helmet.

Winter Sport Safety Tips:

Sledding

• Find a good hill with a clear path and a safe finish area.

• Stay out of the way of other people sledding on the hill. Is there a walking path and a sledding path?

• Use proper sleds or tubes.
• A helmet is recommended

Ice Skating

• Wear properly fitted and sharpened skates.

• Skate on a rink rather than a pond or lake.

• If you do skate on a pond or lake, make sure it is allowed and the ice is properly frozen.

Skiing

• Beginners should enroll in lessons.

• Use proper fitting equipment.

• Stay on the designated trails.

Snowmobiling

• It’s recommended children be at least 6 years old to even go on a snowmobile.

• Children younger than 16 should not operate the snowmobile.

• Wear a helmet designed for high-speed motor sports.

For more information on winter sport safety visit: https://saferide4kids.com/blog/winter-sports-fun-safety/

Sources: https://saferide4kids.com/blog/winter-sports-fun-safety/

https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/perfect-10-winter-sports-safety-tips

The Teen Driver Safety Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt addresses the growing problem of teen motor vehicle crashes in Tennessee. Funded by Ford Motor Company Fund and Pilot the Be in the Zone (BITZ) Teen Driver Safety program is a unique hospital-school collaborative program that educates teenage drivers of the dangers of distracted driving.

The BITZ program has worked with multiple counties across Middle Tennessee since 2011. Through our trauma admissions, we have identified counties and high schools of concern where teen motor vehicle crashes are high and where we could focus our efforts.

The BITZ program is comprised of both Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 is a team effort of the Trauma Program, Rehabilitation staff, and the Emergency Department staff. Before COVID-19, high school student leaders were chosen to participate in a day-long intensive Phase 1 program at the hospital. During Phase 1, students experienced:

• A presentation by a Trauma surgeon
• Observed a mock simulation in the ED
• Injury Scenarios Activity with the Rehabilitation staff
• Heard from a Champions of Change speaker who has been personally affected by the consequences of distracted driving

Although, we are still in the middle of dealing with COVID-19 and facing the challenges associated with it, motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death for teenagers. The Be In The Zone program continues to offer phase 1 virtually by converting our traditional hospital day visit into online learning modules. During Phase 1, our participants are still able to hear from our pediatric trauma surgeon, observe a mock code simulation in the Emergency Department, and hear from our Rehabilitation staff concerning injury scenarios through pre-recorded learning modules.

Phase 2 of the BITZ Program is a teen driver safety program that encourages teenagers to translate the lessons they learned in Phase 1 into a year-long distracted driving campaign in their schools with a focus on cell phone use, especially texting while driving.

Our BITZ students are to develop and implement a multi-faceted, distracted driving campaign at their schools and in their communities. They are provided with a detailed instruction guide and other resources from Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt to assist with their campaign.

The BITZ campaign is in the form of a competition consisting of various competitions such as the Best Campaign, the Best T-Shirt Design, the Best Youth Empowerment Project. Through the support of our funders, each competition involves cash prizes!

This year, eleven high schools across 8 counties are participating in the campaign to spread the message about safe driving practices. The program has reached 11,289 students through our current program this year. We are proud of the leadership role our students have taken and the support the schools have shown in spreading this important message.

At the end of the program, each school and the winners for each competition are recognized at the End of The Year Awards Ceremony in the spring.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition that can stem from the changing of seasons, typically in the winter. We experience less sunlight, less time outdoors, and fatigue from the whirlwind of the holidays. The symptoms that can stem from SAD are depression, irritability, loss of interest in normal activities, low energy, and changes in sleeping and eating habits.

You might be surprised to learn that SAD can affect children as well. If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, talk to their pediatrician. It’s important to remember to get the kids outside for fresh air (as long as it’s not too cold!). Help your child focus on positive thoughts, and try to keep a schedule, even when school is out. Make sure you are encouraging your family to eat well, rest, and spend some quality time together!

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting "Hello" to 741741.

Our team will be participating in these upcoming events and meetings:

• Safe Kids Cumberland Valley Coalition Meeting

          Wednesday, January 11^th at 12pm

          Anyone is welcome to join and partner with us!

• Virtual Child Passenger Safety Class

         Wednesday, January 18^th at 7pm

         Register here: Virtual Monthly Child Passenger Safety Class

         Anyone is welcome to register. This class is open to the public.

• Rutherford County Baby Shower

          Saturday, February 4th from 10am-1pm

         Join us at our booth and visit with other great organizations!