Safe Kids Reminds Caregivers the Dangers of Unattended Children in Cars
Although Labor Day signals the end of summer for many, there will still be several weeks of warm weather and parents must continue to be diligent and never leave children alone in vehicles. So far this year, at least 24 children have died from hyperthermia while unattended in vehicles in states all across the country. To further advocate this cause, Safe Kids is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to discuss the importance for preventing such tragic events during town hall meetings nationwide.
“We know from past experience that these fatalities can continue to occur in September and October, when temperatures are still warm enough to cause danger in many parts of the country,” said Torine Creppy, Executive Director of Safe Kids Buckle Up. “In past years, as many as twelve deaths after September 1.”
It doesn’t have to be the middle of the summer for a child to get overheated. Even with seemingly mild temperatures outside, the inside of a car can rise 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. What some do not realize is that a car acts like a greenhouse, a place no child should be alone. Children’s bodies heat up 3 to 5 times faster than adults, making them more susceptible to heat stroke and more likely to suffer from heat stroke.
“Don’t be fooled into thinking that this can never happen to you. Unfortunately, I did.” says Reggie McKinnon, a father who accidently left his 8-month-old in a vehicle last year during a work day. ”Before this accident, every time I would read of a child dying in a parked car of Hyperthermia, I too would ask, ‘how could they forget their child?’ I would never do that. That only happens to people who are uneducated, drunk, drug-addicts, not me.” Read the rest of this entry »
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A student’s backpack might contain homework, books, laptops, iPods, lunches and even gym clothes.
As their backpacks become stuffed to the brim, the pack can become much too heavy or might be worn improperly, causing unnecessary back strain and pain to a child’s back. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons(AAOS) suggests that backpacks be worn correctly and should not carry too much weight, that can cause pain or discomfort.
STATISTICS
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2010, nearly 28,000 people were treated in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and emergency rooms for backpack-related injuries like strains, sprains, dislocations and fractures.
AAOS SAFETY TIPS
The AAOS recommends the following safety tips to help eliminate pain and discomfort due to backpacks: Read the rest of this entry »
Many children return to sports such as soccer, football, cross-country and volleyball when they return to school.
Jon Divine, M.D., clinical director of Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, says it’s most important for parents to help their children get in shape before showing up for the first day of practice or tryouts to reduce the risk of injury.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 3 million children and adolescents ages 14 and under get hurt annually playing sports or participating in recreational activities. More than 775,000 children and adolescents ages 14 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year. Most of the injuries occurred as a result of falls, being struck by an object, collisions, and overexertion during unorganized or informal sports activities.
Dr. Divine suggests these additional tips to ensure children’s safety when they return to school sports: Read the rest of this entry »
It’s tough to keep your cool when the inside of your car is full of hot air from a malfunctioning air conditioning (A/C) system. According to the Car Care Council, an annual checkup of your vehicle’s A/C system will help prevent it from breaking down when you need it most, especially as sky-high temperatures are hitting many parts of the country.
“Getting stuck in traffic is hard enough but getting stuck in traffic during the heat of summer without properly functioning A/C is the pits,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It is important to always have the A/C system properly maintained to keep it in tip-top shape and avoid costly repairs down the road.”
A vehicle’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC) keeps the interior cabin comfortable in any season by providing the right temperature and humidity level. Typical A/C service consists of the following steps: Read the rest of this entry »