Kids’ Bathroom Safety

by Marketing Manager | Mar 2, 2023 | Child Safety

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Many people don’t think of the bathroom as a dangerous place but it can be. There are thousands of injuries that occur in bathrooms every year to people of all ages. Children are especially vulnerable to injury in the bathroom. It is the caregiver’s responsibility to keep children safe while in the bathroom. Read on to learn some bathroom safety guidelines.

Supervision Needed at All Times

Young children should not be in the bathroom by themselves. If the bathroom isn’t being used, close the door so that children cannot wander in.

Bathtub Safety

Kids under the age of six should never be left alone in the bathtub or the bathroom if there is water in the tub. The bathtub should be emptied after baths so a child does not try to get back in or play with the water unattended. Older children should not be responsible for watching younger children in the bathtub. An adult should be in charge of bath time.

Beware of Burns

It is possible to get burnt in the bathroom from water that is too hot. Keep the spout covered or blocked from children. Teach them that only an adult can touch or control the spout. The temperature of bathwater for a child should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can purchase a bath thermometer to check the temperature or make sure to check the temperature on the skin of the inside of your wrist before using it on a child. If possible, adjust the temperature of the hot water heater to below 120 degrees Fahrenheit or install an anti-scald valve.

Prevent Falls

The bathroom can be slippery and falls can easily happen. Use a rubber non-skid mat in the tub. Make sure to dry the floor and the child’s feet after a bath to help prevent slips.

Prevent Drowning

Children should never be left alone around water to prevent drowning. This includes a bathtub with water in it, large buckets of water, or even the toilet. It is possible to drown even in a very small amount of water.

Bathroom Medication Accidents

If you store your medications in the bathroom, make sure they are not accessible to children. If possible, keep a lock on your medication storage.

Preventing Accidents

Accidents can happen in the bathroom. Think about child-proofing your bathroom just like the rest of your living areas. Remove or put out of reach anything that could be dangerous such as razors, hair dryers, curling irons, and cleaning products.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1618658856512{margin-top: 75px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Services We Offer:”][vc_column_text]

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4 Ways to Prevent Hot Car Deaths in Children

by Marketing Manager | Jun 24, 2022 | Child Safety

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With summer approaching and temperatures around the country rising, parents and caregivers of young children need to be aware of the dangers of leaving a child in a hot car unattended. According to the National Safety Council, an average of 38 children die every year from heat stroke after being left in a vehicle unattended.² The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 910 children have died since 1998 due to being left in a hot vehicle.¹ The most tragic thing about heatstroke deaths from hot vehicles is that these deaths are preventable.

Children are more vulnerable to heatstroke because their body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult. Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature is 104 degrees and a child could die when the body temperature reaches 107 degrees. Within just ten minutes the inside of a vehicle can increase in temperature by twenty degrees. 53% of hot car deaths have happened due to a person forgetting a child in the car. Follow these tips to help prevent hot car deaths.³

1. Make a Habit of Checking the Backseat

If you are going to be caring for a child, get in the habit of always checking the backseat before leaving your vehicle. Remember the motto, “Park, Look, Lock.” Place your personal items such as a bag or cell phone in the back seat so that you remember to look in the back before exiting your vehicle. Keep a favorite toy in the child’s car seat when they aren’t there, and move it to the front seat when they are there to give you a visual reminder to check the back seat.

2. Keep Cars Locked

In some circumstances, a child may wander into an unlocked vehicle to play and then get trapped. To prevent this, always keep your car locked and don’t let your children play in your vehicle.

3. Never Leave a Child Alone in a Vehicle

It is never okay to leave a child in a car unattended, even if the air conditioning is on or the windows are down. Kids are more susceptible to heatstroke because their body temperature rises quickly. Even if you are running into the store for just one item, you should always bring children with you.

4. See Something Say Something

If you see a child in a vehicle unattended, check to see if the child is responsive. If they are responsive try to locate the parents or caregivers quickly. If the child is unresponsive or you cannot find the parents, call 911 immediately and get the child out of the vehicle.

Key Takeaways

Children are more vulnerable to heat stroke and hot vehicle death. To prevent the dangerous effects of leaving a child in a hot car, make a habit of always checking the vehicle before exiting, keep vehicles locked when not in use, never leave a child alone in a vehicle, and always help a child who was left unattended in a car. To learn more, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

Resources

1. Heatstroke. NHTSA. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2022
2. Hot car deaths. Injury Facts. (2022, June 8). Retrieved June 9, 2022
3. You can help prevent hot car deaths. NHTSA. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2022

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Preventing Melatonin Overdoses in Kids

by Marketing Manager | Jun 17, 2022 | Child Safety

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Everyone wants a good night’s rest, no matter what age you are but using medications to aid in sleep can have side effects and be dangerous if not managed responsibly. Recently there have been reports in the news about children overdosing on a common sleep aid called melatonin.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone made naturally by the body and is mainly used to aid with sleep and circadian rhythm. It can also be produced synthetically in a laboratory and is sold over the counter as a sleep aid for adults and children. It comes in pill, capsule, liquid, and gummy form.

Increase in Pediatric Melatonin Overdoses

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released a report on June 3rd, 2022 about the increase in pediatric melatonin ingestion overdoses. Researchers found that in 2020, melatonin was the most frequently ingested substance by children reported to poison control centers. Between 2012 and 2021, the ingestion of melatonin by children increased by 530%. To read the original report from the CDC, click here.

What Parents Can Do

According to ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, most of the melatonin overdoses were unintentional. She recommends the parents know the following information and tips to help keep their children safe from melatonin overdose.

1. Know that Melatonin is Easily Accessible but can be Dangerous

Melatonin is sold over the counter and is considered a supplement, making it easily accessible. It comes in different forms including gummies which could be appealing to children. The easy access and possible attractiveness to kids increase exposure to risk.

2. Know That There is Limited Research

There have not been many studies on the use of melatonin in children so the long-term side effects of melatonin use in kids are not known. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of melatonin in children should be supervised by a pediatrician.

3. Melatonin Overdose is an Emergency

If a child ever takes melatonin without adult supervision, it is an emergency. You will not be able to determine how much they took and how it will affect them. You should bring them to an emergency room or call poison control. Melatonin overdose may cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, excessive tiredness, and trouble breathing.

4. Keep Melatonin Out of Reach from Children

All medications and supplements including melatonin should be kept out of reach from kids. Keep safety caps secure on medications so that children can’t get them open easily. Teach your kids about medication safety.

To read the original article quoting Dr. Ashton from Good Morning America, click here.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 2). Pediatric melatonin ingestions – United States, 2012–2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 9, 2022

Kindelan, K. (n.d.). Child overdoses of one common supplement have skyrocketed over the past decade. Good Morning America. Retrieved June 9, 2022[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1618658856512{margin-top: 75px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Services We Offer:”][vc_column_text]

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Keeping Kids Safe During Summer Fun

by Marketing Manager | Jun 9, 2022 | Child Safety

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Summer is a time for kids to enjoy a little more freedom and fun. Kids look forward to school ending so that they can sleep in, participate in their favorite activities, or spend more time with friends. Our job as parents is to make sure to keep them safe. Follow these safety tips to enjoy a summer of fun with your children.

Water Safety is Essential

The warm months of the year often include fun water activities but kids need to know that water can be dangerous. Talk to your kids about not swimming alone or in any hazardous conditions. Make sure your children know that it is never okay to hold another person underwater, get too rowdy, push others into the water, or jump / dive into shallow water. If your child doesn’t know how to swim yet, it may be the perfect time to sign up for a swim class. If your older child is interested in becoming a lifeguard, they could take a lifeguard class. Prepare your kids to know what to do if they ever see someone in trouble in the water or have a swimming-related emergency. Young children should never be left around water unattended.

Wear Sunscreen

No one enjoys getting sunburnt. Stock up on sunscreen and keep a bottle in your vehicle. Teach your kids that the best way to prevent sunburn and skin damage from the sun is to wear sunscreen every day. Get your kids into the habit of putting sunscreen on in the morning when getting ready for the day.

Wear a Helmet

Riding bikes, rollerblading, and skateboarding are popular summer activities. Make sure kids wear a helmet during any activities where they could fall and hit their head. Set a good example by doing the same yourself.

Beware of Dehydration

It is easy to forget to stay hydrated when having fun. Pack a water bottle for your kids every day and remind them to make sure to drink enough water throughout the day. Teach them that if they don’t feel well, to alert someone, drink water, and rest.

Know Where Your Kids Are

Make sure to always know where your children are and who they are with. Younger children need constant supervision and need to have a good caregiver watching them. Older children need to understand that communication is key and to let you know what they are doing. Many cell phones have location tracking services on them now but it is still important to have good communication with your children.

Have Rules

Make sure your children know what your expectations are. Be clear with them so they know what the rules are and what happens if they break them. Talk to them about safety concerns and precautions. Having good communication with your kids will help keep them safe and enjoy their summer vacation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1618658856512{margin-top: 75px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Services We Offer:”][vc_column_text]

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