First 5 LA's Finance Department Receives National Recognition
First 5 LA has been honored by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. More »
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Mental Health Awareness Month
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City of L.A. Declared May 8 "Children's Mental Health Awareness Day"
Councilman Bernard Parks recently led the Los Angeles City Council in declaring May 8 as Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. L.A. Child Guidance Clinic was honored. More »
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Lifting the Silent Veil on Perinatal Mood Disorders
Embracing pregnancy health not only means taking pre-natal vitamins but also staying well mentally. Learn more about what's new in perinatal mental health. More »
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First 5 LA Offers Tips to Keep Babies Safe When Sleeping
Last week Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca and health and safety officials held a press conference to draw attention to safe sleep practices for babies. Click here to see the brochure. More » |
AB 627 - Child Care Nutrition Environment
AB 627, authored by Assembly Member Julia Brownley (D-Woodland Hills), addresses the issue of child care nutrition and exercise at day care facilities and will decrease the likelihood of childhood obesity. More »
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Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Hazard
Although I keep informed about children's safety standards, every now and then I'll come across a hazard that I rarely think about, even though it can be very harmful for children. Safe Kids USA recently sent me an e-mail about the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning, a potential danger for any home, and I'd like to pass on that valuable information.
CO emissions are produced when gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. The amount of CO produced from fuel-burning appliances is usually not harmful but can become hazardous when appliances are used improperly or are not functioning adequately.
Since it's impossible to see, taste or smell its toxic fumes, CO can be deadly before you know it's in your home. Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of CO and may show symptoms sooner than a healthy adult. Because of their smaller bodies, children process CO differently than adults and may be more severely affected by it.
To prevent CO poisoning:
- Install a CO alarm outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home.
- Place CO alarms at least 15 feet away from every fuel-burning appliance to reduce the number of nuisance alarms.
- Test alarms every month and replace them every 5 years.
- Make sure alarms can be heard when you test them and practice an escape plan with your entire family.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and confusion. In severe cases, the affected person may lose consciousness. If there is a CO leak, more than one person in the house will often suffer symptoms at the same time.
What should you do if your CO alarm goes off?
- Get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible into fresh air.
- Call for help from a neighbor's home or a cell phone outside of your home.
- If you're experiencing symptoms, call 911 for medical attention.
- If no one is experiencing symptoms, call the fire department. They will let you know when it is safe to reenter your home.
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