With Memorial Day weekend approaching and pools across the country opening, a new report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides updated figures on child drowning deaths and injuries in pools and spas. CPSC's latest data reveals that nearly 300 children younger than 5 drown in pools and spas each year, and about 3,000 suffer pool or spa-related injuries requiring attention at hospital emergency rooms.
About two-thirds of the pool and spa-related deaths and injuries involve children ages 1 to 2, with about 80 percent of the drowning fatalities occurring in residential settings, such as the victim's home, a family or friend's house or at a neighbor's residence.
New data from CPSC also shows that from 1999 through 2008, there were 83 reports of pool and spa entrapments, including 11 deaths and 69 injuries. Since 1999, 14 percent of the reported suction/entrapment incidents at pools or spas were fatal.
At a press conference on Capitol Hill, CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord joined Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Safe Kids USA, and Scott Taylor (the father of Abigail Taylor, who suffered fatal injuries from an evisceration incident in a wading pool), to encourage parents, caregivers and pool owners to make safety a top priority as the summer swim season officially opens.
"Preventing child drownings is a key part of CPSC's mission. I call upon all parents, caregivers and pool and spa operators to ensure that fencing and other layers of protection are in place; that there is constant supervision of children in and around the water; and that new, safer drain covers that prevent entrapment incidents are installed," says Acting Chairman Nord.
"I want to thank the Congress for providing CPSC with funds this year to implement the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. This is an important child safety law and CPSC will use the new funds to increase compliance with the law, educate on pool and spa safety measures, implement the state grant program, partner with state and local government on enforcement, and make pools and spas even safer," adds Nord.
The Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SSAct) went into effect on December 19, 2008, and requires all public pools and spas to have anti-entrapment drain covers, and in certain circumstances, an additional anti-entrapment system. CPSC has prioritized public wading pools, kiddie pools and in-ground spas as the key areas of focus for enforcement and has called upon state departments of health to assist the agency in enforcing the law.
CPSC is also announcing the launch of a new Web site www.PoolSafety.gov – which serves as a valuable source for information about the P&SSAct and drowning prevention. The new site provides information for the general public, the swimming pool and spa community, state and local officials and the media.
Drowning occurs more commonly when children get access to the pool during a short lapse in adult supervision. To reduce the risk of drowning, pool owners should adopt several layers of protection, including physical barriers, such as a fence completely surrounding the pool with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access by young children. If the house forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool area and/or a power safety cover over the pool. In addition, reports of children exiting the house via a pet door have been on the rise.
(5-26-09)
As the concern over swine flu (H1N1) grows in school districts and communities across the country and around the world, children and families can become anxious. Parents may be looking for help on how to talk to their children and may not know how or when to communicate with the school. That's why the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), National Association of School Nurses, and the National Association of School Psychologists have joined together to provide parents with information they may need about swine flu and tips for talking to their children about the situation.
Although it's important to be cautious and vigilant, it's equally important not to panic, say experts. When talking to children, the key is to provide prevention information without causing alarm. Teaching children positive preventive measures, talking with them about their fears and giving them a sense of some control over their risk of infection can help prevent and reduce any anxiety.
Here are 10 tips on talking to children about swine flu:
Remain calm and reassuring. Your children will react to and follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions.
Make yourself available. Your children may need extra attention from you and may want to talk about their concerns and questions. Make time for them.
Know the symptoms of swine flu and how it spreads. Symptoms of swine flu include fever, sore throat and cough, among others.
Review basic hygiene practices. Encourage children to practice everyday good hygiene by washing their hands, by covering their mouths with a tissue when they sneeze or cough and by not sharing food or drinks.
Be honest and accurate. In the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality. Also, parents should be frank with their children in a manner that is appropriate for their age.
Discuss new rules or practices at school. Many schools will be enforcing prevention habits.
Avoid excessive blaming. It is important to avoid stereotyping any one group of people as responsible for the virus.
Monitor television viewing. Limit television viewing or access to information on the Internet. Constantly watching updates on the status of the flu virus can increase anxiety.
Maintain a normal routine to the extent possible. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promotes physical health.
Communicate with your school. Let your school know if your child is sick, and keep him or her home. Talk to your school nurse, school psychologist, school counselor or school social worker if your child is having difficulties as a result of anxiety or stress related to the flu. Follow all instructions from your school.
The complete handout, "Talking to Children About H1N1 (Swine) Flu: A Parent Resource," an audio version of the guidelines and additional resources are available on all of the following Web sites: www.pta.org, www.nasn.org or www.nasponline.org.
(5-19-09)
A new study demonstrates that swim diapers will somewhat reduce, but will not prevent, the spread of recreational water illness (RWI) of the most common cause of documented outbreaks, Cryptosporidium (Crypto).
Scientists from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte (UNC-Charlotte) reported at the Swimming Pool & Spa International Conference in London, England, that swim diapers help by slowing down the release of disease-causing germs, but the benefits are short lived. Crypto is spread by diarrhea from infected people or mammals and is the single largest illness threat to pool users. To prevent the spread of Crypto, officials advise that people should not get in the water if they have diarrhea.
The researchers measured the amount of microsphere released from swim diapers worn by children. The microspheres were plastic particles that have a similar size (five microns) to that of Crypto. Normal swim trunks, common disposable diapers and reusable diapers with and without vinyl diaper covers were tested. Swimming trunks without a swim diaper of any kind had the poorest performance almost 90 percent of the microspheres were released into the water within one minute.
Swim diapers released at least 50 percent of the microspheres within one minute. Placement of a vinyl diaper cover over a disposable swim diaper slightly improved performance. In all cases, 25 percent or more of the microspheres were detected in the water within two minutes.
"When a fecal accident contains about a billion disease-causing Crypto oocysts, hundreds of millions of oocysts get into the water within minutes," says Dr. James Amburgey. "The retention of diarrhea in swim diapers is very short-lived. Swimmers only need to ingest about 10 Crypto oocysts to become infected. What are the odds you will know the moment the child has an accident and immediately remove him/her from the pool?"
Crypto, a parasite that causes diarrhea and dehydration, is one of the most common causes of documented recreational water illness outbreaks. It is found in infected people's stool and cannot be seen by the naked eye. This germ is highly resistant to chlorine disinfectants used in pools.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Crypto outbreaks continue to increase. In recent years, outbreaks have impacted thousands. Since Crypto is resistant to chlorine, as bathers visit other pools, the outbreak spreads from facility to facility. Regional outbreaks have spread throughout certain states (New York, Utah, Texas and New Mexico) and can last for months.
For more tips, click here.
(5-19-09)
With the weather warming up, it's good to practice some basic safety measures as you pull out the mower and the electric shears to rejuvenate your landscape. More than 200,000 people a year are injured in accidents related to lawn and garden tools, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Many of the injuries treated can be prevented, if people concentrate on the task at hand and use common sense when operating machinery," says Dr. Maureen Finnegan, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Start by wearing sturdy shoes rather than sandals or flip flops. Before mowing, check the yard for potential problems like rocks and sticks that could be thrown by the blades. The whirling blades can send projectiles flying, as well as cut fingers, toes and feet.
"Always turn off the mower before you clear the blades if something is caught, so it doesn't end up being your fingers that are caught," Dr. Finnegan says. "If you do accidentally sever a finger or toe, it's important to cleanse the amputated part with saline water, wrap it in gauze and put it in a watertight bag. Place the bag over ice and take it with you to the emergency room."
(5-12-09)
Washing hands and paying close attention to symptoms of illness are just some of the things the public can to do help reduce the risk from the swine flu (H1N1) outbreak, says the American Red Cross. "This is a serious situation that has the potential to spread, and it is a good time for families, businesses and organizations to follow good public health practices and to review and update their preparedness plans," says Scott Conner, senior vice president of Preparedness and Health & Safety Services at the American Red Cross. "Taking steps to prepare for potential emergencies in advance can go a long way in making families feel safer."
The American Red Cross urges the public to remember these simple actions:
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective when soap and water aren't available.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are feeling sick.
Children have been greatly impacted by this outbreak, and need to know how to properly wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs. The Red Cross has partnered with NSF International's (NSF) Scrub Club to educate children about the importance of hand washing to protect them against influenza. The Scrub Club Web site (scrubclub.org) is an easy, online tool to teach kids how to wash their hands and why it's important.
If families are asked to stay home during this outbreak, it's important to have a plan and supplies in place before that happens. The Red Cross recommends the following:
Stock extra food, water and supplies at home to reduce the need to go out should swine flu become more widespread, limiting potential for exposure to the virus.
Be sure to include household necessities such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc. Select foods that are easy to prepare and store.
Make sure you have an adequate supply of essential medications and medical items for all family members. Include non-prescription medications as well.
Other preparedness steps that can be taken include these:
Plan for what you would do if you had to stay at home for a period of time.
Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick.
Find out your employer's plans to keep the business open if key staff can't come to work.
Ask your child's school or day care if there are plans to encourage sick children to stay home to reduce the spread of the disease.
Identify how you can get information, whether through local radio, TV, Internet or other sources.
For more tips on how to prepare yourself, your family and community for this and other potential emergencies, visit www.redcross.org. Learn more about the swine flu by reading the following articles:
Swine Flu and Babies: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment for the Swine Flu
Swine Flu and Pregnancy: How Does the Influenza H1N1 Strain Affect Mom-to-be?
(5-05-09)
Worldwide concerns over the swine flu outbreak is spurring governments and health agencies into action to keep the public safe. Closer to home, the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) is reminding families that disease prevention is in their hands literally.
"Cleaning your hands with soap and water is simple, safe, effective and inexpensive," says Nancy Bock, SDA Vice President of Education. "When it comes to preventing the spread of the flu, hygiene is your first line of everyday defense. Very simply put, clean hands save lives ... Whether you're using bar soap, liquid soap or foam soap, just make sure you lather your hands and rub vigorously for at least 20 seconds."
Parents' concern over their children's health in school settings may be understandably heightened due to the round-the-clock news coverage of the swine flu outbreak. SDA offers three quick tips for parents to help keep their kids healthy in school:
Make sure your school has adequate supplies of soap, paper towels and surface cleaning and disinfecting products. It's tough for students to keep their hands clean if bathrooms lack the basics. And make sure there are sufficient and effective cleaning and disinfecting products available for school custodians, who are on the front lines of keeping our schools healthy.
Tuck some hand wipes along your child's packed lunch. Sometimes kids are so rushed during the day, they don't wash their hands before they eat. Hands wipes are useful when kids are on the go.
Consider adding a hand sanitizer into your older child's backpack. Convenient, portable sanitizer products are great to have around when soap and water aren't readily available. (Check with your school to make sure students are allowed to carry along a sanitizer.)
"Take time to explain to your kids why handwashing is important, and stay informed. Proper hygiene, common sense and good information from credible sources will go a long way to seeing us through this public health challenge," says SDA's Nancy Bock.
For more information, visit www.cleaning101.com.
(5-05-09)
While there is no vaccine for the disease, and no way to guarantee prevention against infection, one doctor believes that there are simple and easy ways we can all reduce our susceptibility to infection.
"Most flus enter our body through our noses, and the organ in our nose that is critical to fighting infection is the nasal cilia," says sinus infection expert Dr. Murray Grossan, author of Free Yourself from Sinus and Allergy Problems Permanently (Hydro Med., Inc.). "If you take care of your cilia, and take steps to enhance their ability to ward off infection, you can increase your immune response and reduce your susceptibility to swine flu."
With swine flu overtaking foreign countries and also making its presence known in the United States, people feel helpless because there is no vaccine and limited preventive measures they can take to prevent against infection. But Dr. Grossan (www.drgrossan.com), an expert in the causes and prevention of sinus infections, believes that the same methods he advises his patients to prevent sinus infection and the cold can also be useful in helping to prevent swine flu.
"The key to preventing sinus infections, and repeated sinus infections, is healthy nasal cilia," Dr. Grossan says. "They are our first line of defense, and too many OTC products may be harmful. My method is to enhance cilia health so that the organ can do the job it was intended to do keep us healthy."
Tea is one main weapon in the arsenal to fight infection. "Tea can boost the body's defense fivefold," Dr. Grossan says. "Dr. Jack Bukowski of Harvard reported that five cups of tea per day increased the body's defenses against disease. The chemical in tea, L-theanine, transforms into ethylamine in the liver. Ethylamine is a molecule that primes the response of an immune blood cell, one of the T cells. These T cells, called gamma delta T cells, prompt the secretion of interferon, a key defense against infection. Tea is also high in antioxidants and actually stimulates cilia action."
Chicken soup is also not a clichι in this case, he says. It contains properties that are critical to cilia health, and can actually help keep them strong. There are also a number of over-the-counter products that can be used to protect the cilia topically, and these remedies are usually employed by travelers on airplanes. "These gels coat the cilia, and prevent bacteria from penetrating to the nasal tissue, thereby helping to prevent infection," Dr. Grossan says.
Relaxation is also important, as is a good night's sleep, according to Dr. Grossan. "When you're stressed out and exhausted, your immune response is significantly hampered, and you are more susceptible to infection," he says. "Learning to relax and relieve your stress is an important tool in the fight against disease, and a general aid to good health."
(5-05-09)
The International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) is reminding parents and caregivers of the importance of providing safe play environments during National Playground Safety Week (April 19-25). IPEMA's playground safety experts have compiled a list of helpful hints to help safely maximize their child's experience on the playground to help take advantage of the many benefits of play.
"Even more than ever, during these difficult economic times, parents are turning to simple activities such as free play to create family fun," says Tom Norquist, past president of IPEMA and leader of the Voice of Play advocacy initiative. "Going outside to encourage children to play is one of the most important things parents can do to help a child's development, and playground safety is a critical first step in creating a positive play experience."
IPEMA's experience in safety certification of playground equipment and surfacing has prompted them to issue a list of five important steps that communities should take to help ensure safety on the playground.
"Spring is the perfect time to brush up on playground safety," Norquist says. "Performing equipment and surfacing maintenance upgrades can help contribute to a great play experience."
Don't forget what's below your feet! Grass is not an acceptable surfacing for playgrounds. One of the leading causes of injury on playgrounds is falling from playground equipment. To minimize the frequency and severity of injury from playground falls, it is crucial to have certified playground surfacing, such as engineered wood fiber, poured-in-place or rubber mulch surfacing installed under and around the equipment on any public playground. This surfacing is certified to have sufficient depth or thickness to minimize impact injuries from falls.
Be an advocate for safety standards. Playground equipment and surfacing have been carefully evaluated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The standards set by these organizations help ensure that playground equipment and surfacing is age appropriate and designed with the measurement of children's physical dimensions, skills and abilities in mind. IPEMA runs an industry-leading certification program to test and validate playground equipment and surfacing to meet ASTM standards.
Proper installation is key to safety! Playground equipment should be installed by individuals experienced in assembly directions and knowledgeable about the environment surrounding the playground, including soil, drainage and the use of other construction materials, tools, equipment and machinery. The manufacturers of specific pieces of equipment can provide certified installers, or the International Playground Contractors Association can provide assistance.
Check, re-check and then check again. Once the equipment and surfacing are installed, have a post-installation safety audit performed by a person certified in playground safety prior to use. This audit will determine if any equipment or surfacing is non-compliant and will help prioritize any issues that should be corrected before the playing begins. Proper installation also includes posting signage about the age-appropriateness of specific equipment.
Don't underestimate maintenance and upkeep. Proper maintenance can be forgotten but is one of the most important aspects of ensuring safety on a playground. Maintenance processes must be in place on both a routine and long-term basis. Equipment and surfacing must be checked for signs of damage following severe weather and for signs of vandalism or any other man-made or natural catastrophe. In addition, equipment and surfacing will show natural wear and tear each year and regular maintenance inspections and replacement processes should be in place to minimize hazards.
"Parents and caregivers should advocate maintenance and safety in their local communities and to playground owners and officials," Norquist says.
To learn more, visit www.voiceofplay.com or www.playgroundsafety.org.
(4-21-09)
Five billion gallons of bottled water were consumed in 2000, an increase of more than 200 percent from a decade earlier. Whether consumers drink more bottled water because it is an alternative to soda, or because it is convenient to do so is unclear, but one thing is certain: They are missing out on the valuable fluoride found in tap water, which helps to protect teeth from cavities, according to a study published in
General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.
Researchers tested the fluoride content in more than 100 different samples of bottled water, which fell into six categories: distilled, drinking/purified, spring/artesian, mineral, fluoride-added and flavor-added. Of the total 105 samples, the fluoride concentrations in the majority of the samples fell below the U.S. government's recommended range of 0.7-1.2 parts per million (ppm), the ideal range to prevent cavities. Only five samples met the recommended range.
Lead author of the study, Ryan L. Quock, DDS, recommends that consumers speak with their dentist about their primary drinking water source. "Understanding consumers' water drinking habits is extremely important," he says. "Determining if they are drinking appropriately fluoridated water, especially when they have or are at risk for cavities, is crucial information, because fluoridated water is an automatic way for them to help improve their oral health. Talking to them also allows us to have a conversation about fluoride's effects, mainly focusing on its relationship to dental caries and fluorosis."
Receiving the appropriate amount of fluoride is critical to consumers' oral health especially children's oral health as it strengthens the teeth and protects them against cavities. Dr. Patricia Meredith, AGD spokesperson, advises parents to do their research before handing their child a water bottle. "Parents should be in charge of how much bottled water their kids drink, in order to make sure that that they also receive the proper amount of fluoridated water that will keep their teeth healthy," says Dr. Meredith. Fluoride in toothpaste, water supplies and other oral hygiene products is one of the basics of keeping children's mouths healthy, Dr. Meredith says. "With soda and energy drinks being as popular as they are, not to mention the attractiveness of sugary snacks, children's mouths are constantly fighting cavity-causing bacteria. Something as simple as drinking water from the tap is a no-nonsense and cost-effective way to prevent cavities."
The AGD supports the use of fluoride and adopted a position statement based on the Center for Disease Control's Recommendation for Using Fluoride, which states, "When used appropriately, fluoride is safe and effective in preventing and controlling dental caries. Regular use throughout life will help protect teeth against decay. All water supplies, including bottled water, should have appropriate fluoride levels. All fluoridated items, including toothpaste, should be used as recommended by your dentist."
To learn more, visit www.agd.org or www.knowyourteeth.com.
(4-21-09)
Research from the national, nonprofit Home Safety Council shows that more than 2,000 children die each year from home injuries, and the highest rate of home injury death is among babies under 1 year old.
In addition, the Home Safety Council just completed a survey of parents of babies age 1 and younger and found that while 99 percent of parents report it is important that they bring their new baby home to a safe environment, most buy items to fill their baby's toy chest and dresser drawers and neglect to ensure their home is safe. In fact:
Nearly nine in 10 (87 percent) new parents purchased new toys and baby clothes.
Less than two in three (65 percent) made sure they had working smoke alarms in or near bedrooms.
Less than half (49 percent) ensured they had a working carbon monoxide alarm in the home.
Just 32 percent set their hot water heater to 120 degrees.
Only one-quarter created and practiced a fire escape plan to ensure they could get to their baby and get out of the home in time in the event of a fire.
To help babies sleep safely, the Home Safety Council urges parents to put their babies to sleep on their backs, use sleepers instead of blankets to keep them warm and remove all soft bedding, pillows, toys and stuffed animals from the crib. While 15 percent of parents surveyed say they worry about the safety of their baby in the crib, in their effort to keep their baby warm and happy, many have at least one safety hazard in the crib:
68 percent have blankets in the crib.
Nearly half (47 percent) have bumpers in the crib.
More than one-third (34 percent) have stuffed animals in the crib.
Almost one-quarter (23 percent) keep toys in the crib with their baby.
The Home Safety Council offers the following baby safety tips for injury prevention in the nursery and throughout the home.
Safe Sleep Tips
Put babies to sleep on their backs. Keep pillows, blankets and toys out of cribs. Do not hang anything with strings or ribbons over cribs. Mobiles should be removed once the baby starts to sit up.
Put a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm near the bedrooms. A CO alarm will tell you if the gas level is too high.
Make sure to have working smoke alarms inside or near every bedroom. Test each smoke alarm every month. Put new batteries in your smoke alarms at least one time each year.
If your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new smoke alarms.
Keep baby monitors and other cords a safe distance from the crib.
Nursery Safety Tips
Children can choke on small things. If something is small enough to fit in a toilet paper tube, it is not safe for little children. Look in every room of your home. Pick up small items like buttons, coins, jewelry and small toys.
Never leave the baby unattended on the changing table. Always use safety straps on highchairs, changing tables and strollers.
All pictures should be secured out of reach. Don't hang pictures or other heavy decorations directly over a crib.
Keep cribs, beds, chairs and other furniture away from windows.
Install a baby gate at the nursery door.
Replace all door stops that have removable caps that can pose a choking hazard.
Install finger pinch guards on doors or drape a towel over the hinge side to prevent painful pinching injuries.
Safe Bathing Tips
Drowning can happen very fast. Most of the time you will not hear someone drowning. Stay within an arm's reach of young children when they are in or near water.
Hot water burns like fire. Set your home water heater at or below 120 degrees F to prevent burns. Use a water thermometer to test bath water. The water temperature should be at 100 degrees F.
Babies and young children have delicate skin. Install special tub spouts and shower heads that prevent hot water burns.
(4-14-09)
See parents helping parents in action! 
