To submit comments, or to suggest items for this newsletter or First5LA.org, contact Katie Kurutz, public affairs officer, at kkurutz@first5la.org or (213) 482-5902.
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Community Health Workers Gain Knowledge, Tools and Support
More than 600 promotoras, or community health workers, recently gathered in Burbank to exchange ideas and hear health experts at the seventh annual Visión y Compromiso conference. More »
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In The Community: First 5 LA Reaches Out Starting in September
This fall was a busy season for First 5 LA. Reaching more than 18,000 professionals and community members, First 5 LA engaged in outreach at numerous events throughout the county. More »
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Josefa Salinas
Radio personality Josefa Salinas has achieved many accomplishments during her career, but what's been most rewarding is her work as a relentless advocate for the underserved communities in L.A. County. More »
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Update on the Early Learning Challenge Fund
Radio personality Josefa Salinas has achieved many accomplishments during her career, but what's been most rewarding is her work as a relentless advocate for the underserved communities in L.A. County. More »
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Lead Poisoning and Toxic Scares
The holiday season is upon us, and as I mentioned last week, many of us are shopping for the babies and toddlers in our lives. And while last week I talked about being practical, this week I'd like to remind everyone to also be safe.
Lead poisoning from toys has been a huge scare for buyers, but there are organizations keeping tabs on this health threat. The Ecology Center, a Michigan-based nonprofit recently released the Third Annual Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys, available at HealthyStuff.org. Researchers at the Center tested nearly 700 popular 2009 children's products for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC and other harmful chemicals in time to help consumers make better choices for their families this holiday shopping season.
At HealthyStuff.org, holiday shoppers can search for toys by product name, UPC code, product type, manufacturer, or retailer to easily find products that have no, low, medium, or high levels of toxic chemicals. Click here to visit the consumer guide.
Also, Safe Kids USA has sent out some important reminders on how to shop safe in the holidays. Below are five helpful tips:
- Before shopping for toys, consider the child's age, interest and skill level. A fun, but inappropriate toy for a particular child can be dangerous.
- Keep toys with small parts away from children under age 3. They can choke on small toys and toy parts.
- Shopping at a second hand shop this holiday season? Check recalls.gov to make sure kids' products and toys are safe and haven't been recalled.
- Bikes or scooters make great holiday gifts. But remember that a helmet is a necessity, not an accessory when it comes to wheeled sports.
- Consider alternatives to putting children in shopping carts including strollers and carts that have plastic mini-cars or trucks attached to the front or back. If you must use a cart, make sure your child stays seated and is secured by a seat belt.
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