Child Health & Safety News 11/26: 8 Bath Time Hazards for Kids

In this week’s Child Health News: Does Netflix’s ‘13 Reasons Why’ Influence Teen Suicide? Survey Asks At-Risk Youths bit.ly/2R1nBje

Welcome to Pediatric Safety’s weekly “Child Health & Safety News Roundup”- a recap of the past week’s child health and safety news headlines from around the world. Each day we use social media to communicate relevant and timely health and safety information to the parents, medical professionals and caregivers who follow us. Occasionally we overlook something, but overall we think we’re doing a pretty good job of keeping you informed. Still, quite a bit happens every day – so to make sure you don’t miss anything, we offer you a recap of this week’s top 15 events & stories.

How to Parent a Sensitive Child Live in a Less Than Sensitive World bit.ly/2SaFoEU 2018-11-25
Keep this handy for your next roadtrip! Stop backseat bickering. One hillarious solution! buff.ly/2GkAJux 2018-11-24
Probiotic no better than placebo for acute gastroenteritis in children bit.ly/2S5sQyv results of large randomized controlled trial call into question current recommendations 2018-11-23
School-based health centers take leading role in fighting teen suicide http://bit.ly/2KyYDVT 2018-11-23
How Fathers Can Strengthen the Relationships With Their Sons bit.ly/2PKa3Mf 2018-11-21
When Your Child Doesn’t Look Their Age bit.ly/2S05GJR 2018-11-20

PedSafe Child Health & Safety News Headline of the Week
Avoid These 8 Bath Time Hazards to Keep Your Child Safe in the Tub https://cle.clinic/2KAAG0w

Refugee Kids Are Suffering From Resignation Syndrome bit.ly/2DQjNhC …imagine a child being so traumatized by their life experiences that they shut down completely—no eating, no drinking, no talking, no response to any kind of stimulus. Here in America? 2018-11-20
Child Health must include Eye Health http://bit.ly/2Asm8vn 2018-11-20
What is the Children’s Health Act of 2000? http://bit.ly/2BzwStn 2018-11-20
Kids Who Didn’t Get The Right Answer on Their Tests But Aren’t Exactly Wrong Either (2 pts for creativity) bit.ly/2BgDixC 2018-11-19
November is Child Safety and Prevention Month. One way to keep your child safe is to have an evacuation plan in case of a natural disaster. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2yWzCzs 2018-11-19
The founders of Juul claim they never wanted their product to appeal to minors—but one tobacco expert says the company’s early advertisements wooed young people http://on.forbes.com/6015E8sMP 2018-11-19
Knowing How to Use an AED Can Save a Child’s Life bit.ly/2FF8Hhx 2018-11-19

November 27, 2018 | Filed Under Awareness | Leave a Comment

Dog Acting Strange? Change Affects Every Member of the Family

As a professional dog trainer, I have worked with hundreds of dogs over the years…. I have studied all of the different breeds, studied different methods of training, worked with different families, and have come to realize one universal truth…dogs are as bad with change as we are. Why does that matter????

I want you to imagine that you live in a world that is black or white – and I am not referring to color, I am meaning it in the sense of all-or-nothing – cause and effect – action equals reaction. A world that is built around routine and structure. Think about a young child that does not yet know how to read a clock… they nap approximately the same time every day, and eat around the same time every day, so what happens when you are out, and those things get delayed? It could be fun-central, and still all of a sudden you have a very cranky child on your hands! Why? Because their bodies instinctively tell them what they need and are lacking at that time. It doesn’t adjust instantaneously to change. I will also add that at a very young age, they lack the cognitive ability to understand the concept of ‘it is coming, it is just delayed.’

It is the same with pups… with one exception. With a child, the heightened state of confusion leads to a very cranky child. The situation is very easy to read, usually pretty easy to resolve and for the most part, relatively harmless. It’s not always so simple with your dog. And because of this, it has the potential to escalate to a situation that’s not as harmless…and that leads me to why I’m writing this…

To enable you to best understand this, I need to give you a very brief overview of canine psychology and dynamics… why dogs do what they do. To start with, dogs rely very heavily on instinct. Since they do not communicate verbally, they also rely on reading body language. Since dogs run in packs, the order of hierarchy is a very important fundamental ‘rule’ they live by, and the pack leader earns their place by gaining the respect of the pack. In the wild, following a strong pack leader will keep them alive, a weak pack member can get them killed. Consistency is key.

Change leads to confusion which leads to insecurity…and that will get them killed.

Now that you hopefully have a better understanding of how your dog sees the world, maybe you can understand a bit better why any change to your dog’s routine, no matter how big or small, can throw everything out of whack for them! Oftentimes the changes that are happening in our lives are positive, but your dog cannot understand that. Some examples:

A New job: Pay and hours are much better for you, but to your dog, all it means is mealtimes, ‘out’ times, bedtimes, and many other things in their daily routine have gotten disrupted.
Moving: Think about how stressful this is for us…. Even when it is a positive, new and exciting thing, the packing, the moving, the re-organizing…. Its stressful! But at least when you see a toilet, you know where to go!! The yard or area where they have pottied is now gone and replaced with unfamiliar territory and scents. Furniture is all in different places, including their food and water dishes!
A New Person in the house: Whether it is a new relationship, a new baby, a relative staying with you, child leaving for college or coming to live back home.

As a trainer, when I get a phone call for a dog who was previously housebroken, but is suddenly having accidents, or a dog that was always friendly and outgoing suddenly cowering or hiding or growling, a dog that has suddenly become destructive of personal property when the owners leave, there are always two questions I ask first:

Are there or could there be any medical issues? Have you seen your vet for a full exam? This is a very important first question because we must always remember that our animals cannot verbalize when something is wrong, so sometimes we must rule out any potential medical issues (such as if your dog is suddenly having accidents, could there be a Urinary Tract Infection? Or if they are growling or suddenly snapping, they may have an ear infection or an injured limb that is hurting them.) If the answer is there are no medical issues, I always ask:
What has changed in the household? Sometimes the slightest things have turned out to be the cause…. their food dishes were moved, their crate was put in a different spot… and sometimes it is more major… relationship difficulties (more fighting in the house, doors being slammed) Someone in the house is depressed or anxious, or their primary care-taker is sick or injured… all these things can have a major impact on your dog.

Remember “change leads to confusion which leads to insecurity…and that will get them killed”. In your household, your dog needs a way to deal with that insecurity, and your children, clearly not the strong pack leader that will keep then alive, can become the unexpected target. A dog who is scared, nervous, frightened or insecure will instinctively go into a ‘fight or flight’ mode; they may not be physically trapped, but mentally, they may still feel that way…. and more often than not, will strike out at whoever is closest, even well-meaning family members who are only trying to help them.

So because changes in life are inevitable, how do we help the dog work through it, thereby keeping our family and kids safe? Here are some suggestions I can give you to help them through this:

Know your dog so you know when something is wrong. The best way to accomplish this is by doing short daily training sessions with them. This will tell you so much about your dog’s personality…. Is he relaxed and easy-going? Take direction well? Eager to please? Is he stubborn? A bit hard-headed? Is he treat-motivated? Toy motivated? Affection-motivated? Easily excitable? Do you have to really work to gain his interest and/or trust? Having this kind of base-line on his personality will help to alert you quickly if something is “off” or changing in him.

Keep mealtimes short and consistent. Regardless how many times a day your pup or dog eats, you should refrain from allowing them to ‘graze’ all day. Put the food out for 15 minutes…. If they do not eat, pick it up and try again at the next meal time. Remember, a dog is an instinctual animal…. They will not allow themselves to starve to death! When they are hungry enough, they will eat… but in the process they will learn to eat when the food goes down or it will be gone. This is important because when a dog is not feeling well, or something is wrong, oftentimes they will not want to eat. Dumping food in their dish whenever you notice it empty may prolong your awareness of something being wrong.

When able to, try to make changes slowly. Need to move their food dish? Do it in increments until it is in the new spot. Moving to a new house, bring the dog by a few times prior to the move to let them acclimate. Going back to work? Slowly get them into the new routine before the event takes place.

Make sure your dog has plenty of ‘down-time’ Pick a place (whether it be a crate, a mat, a blanket, a towel, etc) and allow them to just rest. A dog with no ‘off’ switch is in a constant state of alert and excitability… which can make for a very reactive dog! Give that space a name (I use “PLACE”) and make sure everyone in the family knows he is to be left alone when in his quiet time place.

Work with each other, not against each other…. Be a unified team with your dog. Remember I spoke earlier about the hierarchy and respect of the pack leader? When I am working for the first time with an aggressive dog, I tell the family I need them to hand me the leash and step back and let me do what I need to do. The reason I do this is because if the family steps in to ‘rescue’ either one of us, I have lost the opportunity to gain the dog’s respect… and the dog will therefore not respect or accept my authority. Similarly, if you ‘override’ each other’s directions and commands while one person is working with the dog, the dog will pick up on that and also not respect that person.

Always supervise your kids around the dog! I consider myself a pretty happy and easy-going person, but even I have my bad days when I want to bite everyone’s head off!! Your kids are not going to be as proficient at reading your dog’s subtle body language changes as you are!

In closing, I will also add that your dog may not be the only one having difficulty with some of these household changes…., A toddler may have trouble adjusting to day care, A child going from elementary school to middle school or high school may have difficulty making the transition, and a child of any age may have trouble accepting a stay-at-home parent going back to work. But awareness is the key. Just like you will notice a subtle ‘shift’ in your child’s typical personality, you can be just as aware of your dog.

Keep everyone safe by making adjusting to change a team effort.

November 26, 2018 | Filed Under Community | Leave a Comment

To Our Wonderful Readers…Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving!

There are so many things we’re grateful for…but being part of your lives, day in and day out is one we’re especially proud of.

Our mission is simple: to do whatever we can to make this world a healthier and safer place for kids to grow up in…and as best as possible, to help keep the “ouches” – even the ones you can’t see – to a minimum. To do that we support parents, and caregivers and teachers and medical professionals and anyone else who shares that mission. If you’re here reading this – it means we’re doing something right.

Now it’s our turn to say thank you – to each and every one of you who is looking after a child – whether it’s your child or someone else’s – thank you for everything you do to keep them healthy and safe.

From all of us here at Pediatric Safety, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

November 22, 2018 | Filed Under Community | Leave a Comment

Child Health & Safety News 11/19: Considering a 3rd MMR Dose?

In this week’s Child Health News: FDA Seeks Ban On Menthol Cigarettes To Fight Teen Smoking n.pr/2FoPrV2

The Face It® Movement shares ten child safety tips for caregivers during holidays bit.ly/2RZvc1F 2018-11-18
When mandated reporter calls to child protective services are used as a weapon against parents bit.ly/2r0VZiZ 2018-11-18
Preventing Sports Injuries in Children | Health Plus bit.ly/2DL2Bu6 2018-11-18
Dayton Children’s takes action in response to ‘disturbingly low’ child flu shot rates – the hospital now has flu shots available for children 7 and older at its pharmacies. bit.ly/2DJCF1T 2018-11-18
Kids’ Mental-Health Issues on the Rise in the Emergency Dept | Psych Congress bit.ly/2A0L7pn 2018-11-17

PedSafe Child Health & Safety News Headline of the Week
Have You Considered a 3rd MMR Dose? bit.ly/2TgNbCt
The new CDC guidance does not generally recommend a 3rd dose of mumps-containing vaccine except when it can be used to shorten the duration of an ongoing mumps outbreak

Low-emission zones ineffective in improving child lung health, study says cnn.it/2A65zoy 2018-11-17
When to Start Swimming Lessons for Kids bit.ly/2qPEzpa 2018-11-17
RSV concern this time of year; watch for these signs bit.ly/2QGQYqO 2018-11-16
4 Family Friendly Workouts That Combine Fitness with Fun – Thurs Time Capsule: 11/12 bit.ly/2TftF9i 2018-11-15
How to Successfully (& Sensitively) Argue With Your Child bit.ly/2qOlHHc 2018-11-15
Researchers identify risk factors of advanced liver disease in cystic fibrosis patients bit.ly/2QHg8FG 2018-11-14
Study finds that a “Make-A-Wish” gift can transform a sick child’s health on.today.com/2RTkI3Q 2018-11-14
WhiteHouse.gov petition aimed at making school bus safety a federal law bit.ly/2zSoK5l 2018-11-14
How to talk to children about shootings: An age-by-age guide on.today.com/2DBf2sf 2018-11-13
As we honor our veterans today, we honor the sacrifices their families make as well. Learn more about the strength and resiliency military children have this VeteransDay: http://ow.ly/1Csn30mzKBm 2018-11-12
How to Raise a Charitable Child – Hidden Ways They Benefit bit.ly/2qHONYw 2018-11-12

November 20, 2018 | Filed Under Awareness | Leave a Comment

Knowing How to Use an AED Can Save a Child’s Life

We have a problem in this country, sudden cardiac arrest. Approximately 450,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in the United States. It can happen to anybody, anywhere, anytime and without any warning, so helping a person suffering from cardiac arrest is all about what you do immediately following the persons collapse. The best “save” rates have been reported when using an automated external defibrillator or AED to deliver an electric shock or defibrillation within three minutes of the patient’s collapse. Early defibrillation in conjunction with C.P.R has been found to be the only definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. For every minute that a person in cardiac arrest goes without being successfully treated by defibrillation the chance of survival decreases by 7 percent per minute in the first minutes, and decreases by 10 percent per minute as time advances beyond 3 minutes, so starting life saving measures such as CPR and using the AED as soon as it arrives it essential.

Symptoms of Sudden Cardiac Arrest include:

Collapse

Lack of pulse

No breathing

Unconsciousness

With time being of the essence and the average response time for emergency services being 10 to 12 minutes (which may not be fast enough for a patient because after approximately three to five minutes irreversible brain damage may begin to occur if there is no defibrillation), having access to an AED and knowing how to use it is very important. So how do you use an Automated External Defibrillator? As we said before, AED’s are very user friendly and speak in plain English and will walk you through the entire process, even reminding you to call for help if you haven’t already done so. In the basic life support class we have a pneumonic that helps people remember the 4 basic steps to using an AED: P.A.A.S. This stands for Power, Attach, Analyze, and Shock.

Power: Most AED’s turn on when open but some may have a power button.

Attach stands for attaching the defibrillator pads to the chest of the patient to match the pictures that are provided on the pads.

Analyze means to let the machine analyze the patient’s heart rhythm and determine if the patient needs to be defibrillated,

Shock means to manually press the shock button and shock the patient if and when the machine says it’s time to do so.

Now as we said before, having the proper training will make this whole process much smoother but is not a requirement. I would however recommend it.

Where to find an AED? AED’s either held by trained personnel who will attend events or are public access units which can be found in places including corporate and government offices, shopping centers, airports, airplanes, restaurants , casinos, hotels, sports stadiums, schools, and universities, community centers, fitness centers, health clubs, theme parks, workplaces and any other location where people may congregate. In many areas, emergency vehicles are likely to carry AEDs, with some units carrying an AED in addition to manual defibrillators. Some areas even have dedicated community first responders, who are volunteers tasked with keeping an AED and taking it to any victims in their area. AEDs are also increasingly common on commercial airliners, cruise ships, and other transportation facilities and with advances in technology and policy requiring AED’s to be placed in more and more places AED’s are becoming more accessible as well as more affordable.

Automated External Defibrillators are truly miracle machines and are changing people’s lives for the better and I hope this article has given you a basic understanding of how to use one should the time come. I encourage everyone to take a certified AED instruction course and really become familiar with these machines and the process involved in using them because you never know when you could be called to action and as we said before, there is nothing better you can do in a cardiac arrest situation than using an AED.

Thank you and Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season.

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Editor’s Note: Sudden cardiac arrest among young athletes is nowhere near as common as it is across the general population, however when it occurs, it is unexpected and the results are often tragic. It’s estimated that between 6,000 and 8,000 young people experience sudden cardiac arrest (or SCA) each year, and only about one in 10 survive. An AED can save their life, however today only 15 states require them on school campuses. Not all of those require them to be present on athletic fields. Parents that means its up to you. Be observant. During the sports season, look out for signs that your child may be struggling. And talk to your school about AED’s. Source: Nemours Children’s Hospital

November 19, 2018 | Filed Under Community | 6 Comments

Child Health & Safety News 11/12: Measles On Rise Among Orthodox

In this week’s Child Health News: Tiny pacemaker prototype avoids open chest surgery for infants bit.ly/2Pmk9mA

The worst “social network” is the one you can’t delete: Group texts are the new cliques for teens and tweens bit.ly/2qCeKsK 2018-11-11
10 Alternative Treatments in Pediatrics to Avoid bit.ly/2zM8GBR 2018-11-11
Rwanda aims for universal coverage of maternal, child health services by 2024 bit.ly/2PomP3b 2018-11-10
Expanding polymer water beads recalled over child safety fears ab.co/2T0LGrP Intended for floral arrangements, Consumer Protection said if the balls were swallowed, they could expand and block a child’s intestines or bowel, or be a choking hazard. 2018-11-10
Why you shouldn’t hold a baby in flight strib.mn/2zGK7Gv 2018-11-10
Pediatric Anesthesia Does Not Affect Development Outcomes bit.ly/2QxioPI 2018-11-10
Are child walkers actually safe? bit.ly/2DxWLfz Not really. 2018-11-09

PedSafe Child Health & Safety News Headline of the Week
New York’s Orthodox Jewish community is battling measles outbreaks. bit.ly/2T5abUz
Currently all cases are occurring in the unvaccinated or undervaccinated Orthodox population

Why Research Says it’s Actually Good for Kids to Daydream bit.ly/2QdkMLj 2018-11-09
How Shyness and Introversion Are Different in Kids bit.ly/2Pha1vd 2018-11-08
End the Teeth-Brushing Battles Thurs Time Capsule: 11/12 bit.ly/2Pe9p9H 2018-11-08
Can Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools Keep Your Kids Safe? Or Does it Do More Harm Than Good? bit.ly/2zBb7aj 2018-11-07
Gender-diverse youth need pediatrician advocates bit.ly/2SPzc63 2018-11-07
Pediatricians strengthen stance against spanking kids cnn.it/2SKUZw1 2018-11-07
Youth TBI laws promote head injury evaluation in emergency department bit.ly/2SNF3sP 2018-11-06
The Effects of Armed Conflict on Children bit.ly/2JMLGYp “Armed conflict directly and indirectly affects children’s physical, mental, and behavioral health. It can affect every organ system, and its impact can persist throughout the life course…” 2018-11-06
Instant soups account for more than 20% of pediatric scald injuries bit.ly/2AMYISx While adults may burn the roof of their mouths, kids with developing motor skills, burn their torsos. 2018-11-06
Letter from frustrated dad helps spark initiative to address pediatric cancer in Nebraska bit.ly/2JHdFII 2018-11-05
5 children killed and 7 injured in one week – hit by motorists as they boarded school-buses – Please Read: School Bus Stop Arms Are Being Ignored: How to Fix That bit.ly/2JFMZIA 2018-11-05
10 Parenting Strategies for Raising Happy Kids bit.ly/2quitIK 2018-111-05
How to Care For Your Child if They Chip a Tooth bit.ly/2AKjpyr 2018-11-05

November 13, 2018 | Filed Under Awareness | Leave a Comment