Volume 15 Issue 32 .                                                                                   Summer 2021

Thank you for being apart of the Safety Source family!

Summer Holiday Safety Tips Edition

 Our July monthly newsletter highlights how to stay safe during the summer holidays and provides you with tips on how to keep your whole family safe all summer long. There are interactive tools for your children to learn the importance of Fireworks safety, Water safety, and important summer road rules for the teen driver in your life. There is also a special How to Make Water Themed Snacks idea 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!

With the fourth of July rapidly approaching, it is important to think about the potential danger fireworks can have. Children younger than 15 accounted for 36% of firework injuries in 2019. Furthermore, fireworks contributed to an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in US emergency departments (1). Doctors at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center urge caution with consumer fireworks as fireworks and Independence Day can be a dangerous mix (2). It is best to leave firework displays to the experts and enjoy a public show.

Burns and eye injuries are treated annually at Vanderbilt from firework mishaps. Patients with hearing loss have even been seen.

Bottle rockets, firecrackers, and sparklers are the most common fireworks that bring in emergency room visits. Many assume sparklers are a safe alternative to fireworks. However, sparkers burn at ~1,200°F, hot enough to cause third degree burns. Children should absolutely never handle sparklers (2).

If you choose to celebrate with fireworks on your own, following these safety precautions can help avoid injuries (2):

• Always read and follow all label instructions and warnings.
• The adult who lights the fireworks should wear protective eye gear.
• Use fireworks outside only.
• Ensure other people are out of range before lighting the fireworks.
• Water needs to be within reach in case of a fire.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people or animals.
• Never relight a firework. Soak them in water and dispose of them.
• Dispose of fireworks by soaking in water and putting them in a trash can.

Be sure to remember that kids should NEVER handle any type of firework. Keep them out of reach if you choose to operate fireworks yourself.

Don’t forget you can always watch a public firework display put on by professionals to ensure a safer time!

Source:

• CPSC
• VUMC Injury Prevention

The summer months mark the time that many families take a trip to the beach or lake. Sadly, an estimated 1,000 children fatally drown in a single year, most of them which occur between May and August (1). Most of these drownings happen in lakes, rivers, ponds, oceans, canals, reservoirs, retention ponds, and other open water. In order to prevent drownings, it is important to know the hidden hazards of open water and general tips to keep your kids safe.

Swimming in open water is different than swimming in a pool. In lakes, rivers, oceans, and other open water there are additional hazards such as (1):

• Uneven surfaces
• Dangerous currents
• Cold temperatures
• Difficult to judge distances
• Limited visibility
• Rocks and vegetation
• Depth of the water

It is important that your children learn water survival skills before entering the water. Children should be able to do these five things (2):

1. Step or jump into water over their head and return to the surface
2. Turn around in the water and orient to safety
3. Float or tread water
4. Combine breathing with forward movement in the water
5. Exit the water

When swimming in open bodies of water, children require some extra attention to ensure no unintentional injuries occur. There are many things that parents and families can do to keep kids safe in open waters. Here are some tips to make sure your kids are safe this summer (1) (3):

• Watch kids when they are in or around water, without being distracted
• Keep young children or inexperienced swimmers within an arm’s reach of an adult
• Make sure older children swim with a buddy every time
• Enter the water feet first
• Avoid swimming where there are large boats or people fishing
• Avoid beaches with large waves or powerful rip currents
• Teach children about the additional hazards that come with open water swimming
• Use designated swimming areas and recreational areas whenever possible
• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating or participating in other recreational activities on the water. Children should wear age, weight, and the water activity appropriate U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD).

By following these guidelines and remaining vigilant, you can enjoy your water activities without any unintentional injuries!

Source:

1. SafeKids.org
2. SafeKids.org
3. HealthlyChildren.org

As the summer continues, it is important to make sure your children are properly hydrated. The risk of dehydration increases as temperatures rise, making the summer months the most dangerous for possible dehydration. Along with milk, plain water is the best drink choice for kids. Water is 0 calories with no added sugar, helps keep joints healthy, good for teeth, helps blood circulate, and helps concentration and focus. Being well hydrated can improve mood, memory, and attention in children (1). Proper hydration is key to help your child avoid heat-related health complications such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, headache, and fainting (2).

The amount of water each child should drink can vary depending on their age, weight, activity level, and weather conditions. In general, you can take half of your child’s weight (up to 100 pounds), and that is the number of ounces of water they should drink every day (2). Here are the approximate recommendations for how much water each child should drink based on their age and gender:

• 1-3 years old (girls and boys): 4 cups of water/day
• 4-8 years old (girls and boys): 4 cups of water/day
• 9-13 years old (girls): 7 cups of water/day
• 9-13 years old (boys): 8 cups of water/day
• 14-18 years old (girls): 8 cups of water/day
• 14-18 years old (boys): 11 cups of water/day

Drinking water doesn’t have to be boring! There are many creative ways to help encourage your little ones to get in the habit of drinking water before they get thirsty. Here are tips to add some fun into staying hydrated (1) (2):

• Offer water in fun cups or with silly straws.
• Infuse water with lemons, berries, cucumber, or mint for some extra flavor.
• Freeze fruit inside ice cubes to add a little color and fun to their drink.
• Use fruits and vegetables that are high in water content. Some examples include cucumber, zucchini, iceberg lettuce, celery, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, blueberries, and grapefruit.
• Make your own popsicles with pureed fruit using small paper cups or popsicle molds in fun shapes and colors.
• Mark lines on your child’s water bottle to show how much they should drink by a certain time each day.
• Make using water bottles fun! Give them as gifts, decorate them, or let them pick out their own.

Even with diligent effort, dehydration can still arise. It is important to know the signs of dehydration so you can address the situation quickly. Infants 0-6 months should only be drinking breast milk or formula, additional water is not recommended at this age. Around 6 months, complementary foods and small amounts of water can be added. The most common signs of dehydration at this age are (2):

• Fewer wet diapers (typical range being 6-8)
• Overly sleepy
• Sunken soft spot on the baby’s head
• No tears when crying

As children get older, they can better tell you how they feel. Sometimes children have a hard time stopping play, so it is important to keep an eye out for these symptoms of dehydration in children (2):

• Dry lips or sticky mouth
• Less urination or dark colored urine
• Sleepy and irritable
• Flushed skin

Teenagers are also at risk for dehydration. Teens who do high intensity workouts or heavy team practices are at an even greater risk for dehydration. The most common signs for dehydration in teenagers include (2):

• Dry lips or mouth
• Cramps
• Thirst
• Lightheadedness
• Dark or less urine
• Headache
• Rapid pulse
• Flushed skin
• Feeling excessively hot or cold

Staying properly hydrated keeps your child’s body and mind feeling strong. Serving water with meals and snacks and packing water bottles before your family heads out the door can teach your child to choose water first. Following all these tips and knowing the sings of dehydration will help keep your children safe this summer!

Source:

1. HealthyChildren.org
2. SafeKids.org

Summer break is one of the most exciting times of the year, especially for teens. Summer break provides families with free time to spend with loved ones and opportunities for summer road trips that usually would not be possible throughout the year. Unfortunately, the additional free time can cause teens to relax on important road rules. Memorial Day marked the start of the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. Parents, be sure to review these important road rules with your teen driver:

• Buckle up every time- Wearing a seat belt helps to keep you secure in your vehicle in case of a crash. Air bags alone cannot keep you safe. Remember, air bags were designed to work alongside the use of a seat belt, not to replace them.
• Avoid speeding- The dangers of speeding not only affects you as the driver, but also anyone else on the road. Due to their lack of experience, teen drivers should be mindful of their speed during inclement weather and at night.¹
• Avoid distractions. Distracted driving is considered any activity that takes your attention away from driving and focusing on the road. This includes texting, eating and drinking, navigating the GPS, and listening to music. The National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) says that 36,096 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019.¹
• Limit the number of passengers. Multiple passengers in the car for an inexperienced teen driver can be incredibly distracting. Graduated Driver Licensing laws limit the number of passengers allowed at one time.
• Never drive drowsy. If you notice that you are drifting from lane to lane, hitting the rubble on the side of the road, or cannot recall the last few miles driven, you may be driving drowsy. Be sure to pull over in a safe area and grab some coffee or take a rest.

As a family, access our Parent Teen driving contract, here, to help guide the conversation with your teen. Parents have the biggest impact on their child’s driving experience. Remember to be a good role model for your teen driver, and set an example with your own safe driving habits.

Source:

1. NHTSA

Each year, more than 9,000 children are treated in emergency departments due to lawn mower injuries (1). All mowers can prove potentially dangerous, but power mowers are especially dangerous. The most common injuries include cuts, burns, broken bones, and in bad cases, amputation (2). It is NEVER safe to allow children to ride on a mower. Always keep children inside while cutting grass to avoid accidents. If they cannot stay inside alone, make sure they are a safe distance away from the area that you are mowing.

It is never safe to allow children to ride on a mower (before age 16) or operate a push mower (before age 12) (1). If your child is responsible for mowing the lawn, it is important to teach them before allowing them to do so alone. Spend some time with your child to instruct them on proper mowing techniques and supervise them until you are confident that they can do the job alone. Here are some safety tips for teaching your child to mow the lawn (1):

• Check the mowing area for any objects like sticks, rocks, or toys that can be picked up and thrown by mower blades.
  • Tall grassy areas can hide these objects so be extra cautious when going through these areas.
  • If the mower hits an object, stop, turn the mower off, and inspect the mower. If there is damage, do not continue to use the mower until it is repaired.
• Wear closed-toed shoes with rubber soles, safety goggles, and hearing protection while mowing.
• When mowing a slope:
  • Manual push mower: mow across the slope face (not up and down)
  • Riding mower: mow up and down the slope
• When done mowing, turn the mower off and be sure to wait for the blades to stop completely before unclogging the discharge chute, removing grass catcher, or walking away from the mower.

Following these safety tips can help prevent unwanted injuries. While necessary, lawn mowers can be dangerous if not used properly, so it is vital you follow all safety precautions!

Source:

• HealthyChildren.org
• Orthoinfo.aaos.org

For many recreational activities, such as biking, skateboarding, roller skating, and riding a scooter, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a severe head injury and even save your life.¹ It is important to teach your children that helmets are a necessity and should be worn every time regardless of the length of time they will be playing. A helmet is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes.²

During a typical fall or collision, much of the impact energy is absorbed by the helmet, rather than your head and brain.¹ For this reason, make sure that your child has the right size helmet and that it meets the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. Different activities/sports require different helmets. Helmets are designed to protect your head based upon the impact and injury that is typically associated with a particular sport. There are only a few helmets that can be used for multiple activities. A CPSC bicycle helmet can be used for bicycling, roller skating, or riding a kick scooter.¹ Depending upon the type of helmet, some helmets may have to be replaced after an impact. For example, bicycle helmets are designed only to protect you from an impact once. On the other hand, ice hockey helmets are a multi-impact helmet.

Allow your child to have active participation in the selection process to encourage helmet use. Parents, remember children should always wear a helmet for all wheeled sports activities. Be sure that your child knows how to put their helmet on properly without any assistance. Be sure to have your child take the Helmet Fit Test. For more tips on how to keep your child safe, visit our website here.

1. CPSC
2. SafeKids.org

Summertime is a great time to make memories, and we want to help you do it safely. Using a car seat is a critical safety feature that should be used during every road trip. Before leaving for your trip, make sure your current seat still fits your child based on the weight and height restrictions that are on the seat. You always want to make sure the seat has not expired. Ensuring the child has the appropriate seat will help your child remain comfortable and safe during the road trip.

If you will be using a rental car or a different car once you arrive at your designation, it may be helpful to call the car rental company ahead of time to gather specific information about the car such as if it has a LATCH system, how many seats are in the vehicle, and also how many seat belts are in the car. You can use the seat belt pathway if the car does not have the lower anchors, but always check the car manual and the car seat manual to make sure. You will also want to mention how many car seats you will need to fit in the car to ensure the vehicle is large enough to install the car seats properly.

Once you have gotten the rental car, it is important to look in the car manual to locate where the air bags are as well as any other safety features such as the TETHER system. This will help you with the installation of the car seat in a car you may be unfamiliar with. You never want to place a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag.

If you are using your own car for the road trip, it may be helpful to install the seats ahead of time to ensure it is installed correctly and the child has plenty of room on the road trip. If you have questions about how to install the seat correctly, be sure to look at the car seat manual and the car manual. If you will be removing the seat throughout the trip, you could take pictures of the seat installed correctly so you know how to reinstall if you remove it from the vehicle.

While it may be tempting to add accessories to the car seat to help distract the child during the road trip, we do not recommend that you add any additional items to the car seat that did not come with the original seat. Adding products or accessories that did not come with the seat may increase the likelihood of injury if your vehicle is in a wreck because the accessories have not been crash tested like the car seat has.

Overall road travel tips:

• Have your tires, battery, belts, fluids, and air conditioner checked by a qualified mechanic before leaving on your trip. Also, check to see if your car needs an oil change before your trip as well.
• Always make sure the driver is well rested and not distracted by activities that may be happening in the car
• Reduce distractions such as cell phones, and remember to drive hands-free.
• Plan your route in advance to ensure you know where you are going and avoid getting lost.
  • Pre-plan where you are going to stop for food and lodging so you know in advance you can find a place that the whole family will enjoy.
• Pack lots of activities for the children to do in the car such as crafts, books, or electronic devices.
• Pack Healthy Snacks that are not messy and the children can eat on their own if old enough.
• Tell your children about the road trip in advance to help them know how long they may be in the car and when there will be breaks in the road trip.
• Back seat is the safest place for children under the age of 13.
  • Make sure windows are on child lock so all items remain in the car.
• Remove any potential projectiles (hard books, toys, etc.) that may injury the child if the car had to stop suddenly.
• Prepare an Emergency Kit that includes the following items:
  • Water
  • Warm blankets
  • A flashlight
  • Jumper cables
  • Flares
  • Tools to change a tire
  • A fully charged cell phone
  • A first-aid kit

Remember to enjoy yourself this summer and safe travels!

1. https://www.nhtsa.gov/car-seat...
2. https://www.familyvacationcrit...
3. https://www.parents.com/fun/va...