| In this issue... |
News Fireworks Safety
Testimonials
Heat Related Illnesses
Osteosarcoma
Testimonials
Pool Hazards for Children
Spa Hazards for Children
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| Heat Related Illnesses | |
Heat-related illnesses such as heat syncope (fainting from heat), heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are far more serious than a sunburn. These conditions occur when kids become overheated and dehydrated, and in many cases, are accompanied by sunburn.
Call the doctor if:
Contact your doctor for immediate assistance if your child has:
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nausea
- vomiting
- fainting
- delirium (seems temporarily mentally confused)
- diarrhea
Be Sun Safe Yourself
Being a good role model by wearing sunscreen and limiting your time in the sun not only reduces your risk of sun damage, but teaches your kids good sun sense.
For more info, click here- Kids Health.
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 Spa Hazards for Children |
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Hot Tub and Spa Safety
Follow these precautions in keeping your hot tub or spa safe:
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Always supervise. Do not allow anyone -- of any age -- use a spa or hot tub without supervision. Never allow children to use a spa or hot tub unsupervised - even for a moment. Make sure you can see what they're doing.
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Prohibit drinking. Do not drink alcohol before - or while - soaking in a spa or hot tub. Alcohol increases the risk of passing out, heart attack, or injury from passing out and falling.
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Be careful with medicine. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines sometimes cause drowsiness or other side effects. Check with your doctor about taking these medicines while using a spa or hot tub.
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Respect drains. Long hair and even body parts can get pulled into a drain, causing serious injury and even death. Make sure your guests know about this danger.
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Talk to children about dangers. Never allow a child to play in a way that would permit hair to come near a drain cover. They should not stick fingers, toes, or body parts into drains. They should not play the "hold your breath underwater" game.
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Require good behavior from kids. This means:
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No playful screaming for help (false alarms) that might mask a real emergency.
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No running or pushing near the spa or hot tub.
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No diving or jumping into a spa or hot tub.
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No playing on top of the hot tub cover. They do not support a child's weight.
Respect storms. Never use the hot tub or spa before, during, or after a thunderstorm. There is a real danger of electrocution from lightning hitting the water.
Prepare for emergency. Know where all electrical switches and circuit breakers for pool equipment and lights are located and how to turn them off in an emergency. Learn how to perform CPR. Keep a First Aid kit close by.
Spa & Hot Tub Maintenance
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Update drain covers. Make sure your spa or hot tub has newer, safer drain covers that help prevent this from happening. If a drain cover is missing or broken, shut down the hot tub until it is replaced. Call a spa or hot tub professional if you are uncertain about this.
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Get inspected. Have your hot tub and spa inspected for electrical hazards, and upgrade all systems according to local codes and the National Electrical Code.
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Respect electricity. Use battery-operated appliances instead of cord-connected appliances in and around the pool.
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Prevent infections. Change hot tub water frequently to prevent "hot tub lung" and other bacterial lung infections. Also, shower before getting into a hot tub to help keep water clean.
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Keep water safe. Keep the water temperature at 104 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Keep water clean, properly disinfected, and clear of debris.
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Use spa covers. They protect children from danger, save energy, and keep debris out of the spa.
For more information, Webmd
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Fireworks Safety | |
With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety. If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in kids and adults. In 2003, six deaths were linked to fireworks and hospital emergency departments treated 9,300 fireworks injuries.
The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home - period. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals. Lighting fireworks at home isn't even legal in many areas, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. If they're legal where you live, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Kids should never play with fireworks. Things like firecrackers, rockets, and sparklers are just too dangerous. If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) - hot enough to melt gold.
- Buy only legal fireworks (legal fireworks have a label with the manufacturer's name and directions; illegal ones are unlabeled), and store them in a cool, dry place. Illegal fireworks usually go by the names M-80, M100, blockbuster, or quarterpounder. These explosives were banned in 1966, but still account for many fireworks injuries.
- Never try to make your own fireworks.
- Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.
- Steer clear of others - fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
- Don't hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear some sort of eye protection, and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket - the friction could set them off.
- Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush and leaves and flammable substances. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year.
- Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a dud.
- Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
- Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
- Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they'll run loose or get injured.
If a child is injured by fireworks, immediately go to a doctor or hospital. If an eye injury occurs, don't allow your child to touch or rub it, as this may cause even more damage. Also, don't flush the eye out with water or attempt to put any ointment on it. Instead, cut out the bottom of a paper cup, place it around the eye, and immediately seek medical attention - your child's eyesight may depend on it. If it's a burn, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn (do not use ice). Call your doctor immediately.
Fireworks are meant to be enjoyed, but you'll enjoy them much more knowing your family is safe. Take extra precautions this Fourth of July and your holiday will be a blast!
For more info, click here: Kidshealth
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Article Headline | | |
Parent Error Common When Medicating Chronically Ill Kids
A new study suggests that parents often make mistakes when they give medicine to their chronically ill children. "Giving these medicines in exactly the right way is vital and sometimes lifesaving for children with chronic conditions," said study lead author Dr. Kathleen E. Walsh, assistant professor of pediatrics at University of Massachusetts Medical School, in a statement. The study authors reached their conclusions after visiting the homes of 83 chronically ill children and adults aged 6 months to 20 years. The patients had cancer, sickle cell disease and epilepsy... click here
Recall of Liquid Products for Children: What Consumers Need to Know
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants consumers to stop using liquid infant's and children's products that are part of a voluntary recall announced on April 30, 2010....click here to read more.
Cat Allergy Doesn't Have to Mean Giving Up Kitty
Brandy Pitman suffers from a lifelong allergy to cats, enduring regular bouts of congestion, sneezing, and watery eyes. Even so, it hasn't stopped her from working as an office manager for a feline veterinary hospital in Louisiana, or from inviting four strays into her home. "They showed up and never left so I took them in," Pitman said of her domestic shorthair clan Marbles, Miss Kitty, Teachy and Callie. "There wasn't really a choice."...click here to read more.
Play Creatively as a Kid, Be a Healthier Adult
Children who engage in creative and active play may grow up to be healthier adults, suggests a British study. The finding comes from a study that involved 505 young adults who provided information about their health and their childhood play experiences. Four types of play were found to be associated in different ways with adult health, said the University of Ulster researchers. Higher levels of creative play in childhood predicted good adult health habits, such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. More active play in childhood was associated with better overall health and more exercise in adulthood... click here to read more.  |
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Osteosarcoma | | |
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bone. Most osteosarcomas happen in children and young adults. Teens are the biggest age group, but it can happen at any age. This cancer starts in the cells that make bone, but this cancer-filled bone is not as strong as normal bones.
Like other cancers, osteosarcoma can spread beyond the bone into nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also break away from the main tumor and spread through the blood to other bones or to the lungs or other organs. This process is called metastasis.
Osteosarcoma often starts near the ends of the long bones in the legs, especially around the knee, the part of the thigh bone next to the knee, and the part of the lower leg bone next to the knee. The arm bone near the shoulder is the second most common place for this cancer to start. But it can start in other bones, too. Osteosarcoma that starts in places like the hip bone (pelvis), shoulder, or jaw (and other places where it's hard to do surgery) tends to have a worse outcome.
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Testimonials
July 18, 2008 is a day my family will never forget. We had just got back from an overnight trip to a water park. Malcom was not his usual self that Thursday on the 17th. He swam, but you could tell he was weak. We got back to the hotel and he was complaining of a headache so I gave him some meds and we went to eat. Later that night he was crying with pain and I gave him more meds and eventually he went to sleep. We came home on the 18th and I couldn't even get him out of the truck. We immediately went to the ER and within an hour the doctor had suspicions of leukemia and we were being transported to St. Judes. I am a single mom with 4 kids, Mariah 17, Aliyah 15, Malcom 13, and Tyler 12. This was and still is unbelievable at times. Our family continues to take care of Malcom but we also have Tyler that has issues and needs of counseling. I took off work as long as I could, then my mom would help relieve me so I could work some. Malcom has done well since beginning treatment. He goes every Sunday to Memphis and comes back on Monday after his chemo treatment. We have a little over a year left and I pray that God will continue to help him through this. Everyone helps keep him encouraged and I try and stay as upbeat as I can. It has been overwhelming and when this happens I do a lot of praying and talking with my pastor or whomever God sends me to. Thank your organization for all you do for families that need your help.
Loving Mom
Vettra Dobbs
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If Your Child Gets a Sunburn
A sunburn can sneak up on kids, especially after a long day at the beach or park. Often, they seem fine during the day but then gradually develop an "after-burn" later that evening that can be painful and hot and even make them feel sick.
When kids get sunburned, they usually experience pain and a sensation of heat - symptoms that tend to become more severe several hours after sun exposure. Some also develop chills. Because the sun has dried their skin, it can become itchy and tight. Burned skin begins to peel about a week after the sunburn. Encourage your child not to scratch or peel off loose skin because skin underneath the sunburn is vulnerable to infection.
If your child does get a sunburn, these tips may help:
- Keep your child in the shade until the sunburn is healed. Any additional sun exposure will only increase the severity of the burn and increase pain.
- Have your child take a cool (not cold) bath, or gently apply cool, wet compresses to the skin to help alleviate pain and heat.
- Apply pure aloe vera gel (available in most pharmacies or taken directly from within the leaves of the plant) to any sunburned areas. It's excellent for relieving sunburn pain and helping skin heal quicker.
- Give your child a pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen and spray on over-the-counter "after-sun" pain relievers. (Do not, however, give aspirin to children or teens.)
- Apply topical moisturizing cream to rehydrate the skin and help reduce swelling. For the most severely burned areas, apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone cream. (Do not use petroleum-based products, because they prevent excess heat and sweat from escaping. Also, avoid first-aid products that contain benzocaine, which may cause skin irritation or allergy.)
If the sunburn is severe and blisters develop, call your doctor. Until you can see your doctor, tell your child not to scratch, pop, or squeeze the blisters, which can become easily infected and can result in scarring.
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Pool Hazards for Children
Every home pool, spa, or hot tub needs "house rules" that cover supervision, behavior, dangers, maintenance, use of electrical appliances, and handling of chemicals. These house rules -- for children and adults alike -- must be established immediately, written in simple language, and posted where they are easy to see. The home owner has the bottom-line responsibility for safety while entertaining. Use good judgment to help protect yourself, your family, and your guests.
Here are some simple precautions to ensure that your good times are safe times.
Pool Safety for Children
- Always supervise children. Never leave a child out of eye contact - not even for a second. Never assume a child is water-safe, regardless of swimming lessons or experience.
- Talk to children about dangers. Make sure children get swimming and water safety lessons. Never allow a child to play in a way that would permit hair to come near a drain cover. They should not stick fingers, toes, or body parts into drains. They should not play the "hold your breath underwater" game.
- Require good behavior from kids. This means:
- No playful screaming for help (false alarms) that might mask a real emergency.
- No running or pushing near the pool.
- No toys like tricycles near the pool; they can lead to accidental falls into water.
- Establish rules on diving. That means:
- Don't allow diving if your pool is less than five feet deep.
- Teach children to dive with their hands in front of their faces.
- Teach them to swim immediately toward the surface after diving.
- Respect storms. Never swim before, during, or after a thunderstorm.
- Limit alcohol. No under-age drinking is allowed. Adults should limit drinking near the pool. Just two or three drinks can affect a person's judgment, even though they may not feel or appear to be drunk. Even a small amount of alcohol can slow reflexes - especially if you are tired or taking medication like cold/ allergy drugs or prescriptions.
Pool Maintenance and Child Safety
Keep the pool child-safe. That means:
- Fences or walls at least four feet high completely around the pool.
- Gates that are self-closing and self-latching, with latches out of reach of children.
- Installing alarms on doors leading to the pool area, or alarms on the pool.
- Using a cover for the pool when it is not in use.
- Making sure drains are covered to prevent hair from being sucked into the drain, which could lead to a person's head being held under water.
- Keep rescue equipment close by. This should include a sturdy, lightweight pole at least 10-12 feet long, a ring buoy with line, and a portable or mobile telephone. Steps and ladders for aboveground pools should be secured or removed when the pool is not in use.
- Get inspected. Have your pool inspected for electrical hazards, and upgrade all systems according to local codes and the National Electrical Code. Also, any diving board, rock, platform, or slide should be inspected before they are used.
- Respect electricity. Use battery-operated appliances instead of cord-connected appliances in and around the pool.
- Prepare for emergency. Know where all electrical switches and circuit breakers for pool equipment and lights are located and how to turn them off in an emergency. Learn how to perform CPR. Keep a First Aid kit close by.
For more information, Webmd
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Phone Number: 1-888-418-6062
The Children's Cancer Fund of America, Inc. is a national 501 c(3) organization dedicated to helping children with cancer and their families by providing financial assistance.
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