Health and SafetyDominique Abunassar

Ages 0-2• Install safety gates and use playpens, which will help keep young children

from wandering away. Stop using them when your child begins to unlatch or crawl over them.

• Always use a car seat.• Use play pens to secure the child.• Lock all doors to avoid injury.• Do not leave children unattended.

Ages 3-5•Always insist that your child wear a helmet when riding a trike, bike, or skateboard.•Monitor your child. Even though most playground equipment is safe, fingers still get pinched, children still fall, and other accidents still happen. Stay close by to keep an eye on your child.•Tell your child why it is important to stay out of traffic. Tell him not to play in the street or run after stray balls•Teach your child how to be safe around strangers. •Be safe in the water. Teach your child to swim, but watch her at all times when she is in or around any body of water (this includes kiddie pools).

Ages 7-12•Know where your child is and whether a responsible adult is present. Make plans with your child for when he will call you, where you can find him, and what time you expect him home.•Many children get home from school before their parents get home from work. It is important to have clear rules and plans for your child when she is home alone. •Talk with your teen about the importance of having friends who are interested in positive activities. Encourage her to avoid peers who pressure her to make unhealthy choices.•Supervise your child when he’s engaged in risky activities, such as climbing.•Teach your child to watch out for traffic and how to be safe when walking to school, riding a bike, and playing outside.

Top 5 Choking Hazards• Grapes-whole grapes are a choking hazard. Children should not eat whole grapes

until they are well over the age of 5. Grapes should be cut when served to children.

• Small toys-This includes carrots, coins, marbles and other hard, round objects.

• Chewy foods-taffy and marshmallows can also cause choking. • Hard candy – hard candy, including cough drops, are a leading cause of choking.

Hard candies should NEVER be given to young children. Gum is also NOT recommended

• Nuts – the AAP recommends that whole nuts/peanuts should not be given to children until they are at least 7 years old.

3 Types of Burns

Burn• 1st degree- a burn that affects the top of

the skin only • 2nd degree-affecting the top of skin and

underneath the skin• 3rd degree-destroys top of skin and

underneath skin completely leaving heavy duty pain

Care• 1st degree-soak the burn in cool water for

five minutes and use an antibiotic ointment.

• 2nd degree-Soak the burn in cool water for 15 minutes. Put cool, clean, wet cloths on the burn for a few minutes every day. Then put on an antibiotic cream, or other creams or ointments prescribed by your doctor.

• 3rd degree- For third-degree burns, go to the hospital right away. Don't take off any clothing that is stuck to the burn. Don't soak the burn in water or apply any ointment.

Treatment/first aid1. Closed wounds/bruises- apply ice 2. Cuts- clean off and apply a bandage3. Head trauma- Do not move the child and call 9114. Shock-call a medical assistant5. Allergic reaction- use an Epipen if available. Call 9116. Lice- teat with chemical solution7. Knocked out tooth-apply pressure to the gum, apply ice pack to mouth, call a

dentist8. Poisoning-call poison control center

Immunizations• Hepatitis A - Virus transmitted in food (cold symptoms, cough, and sore

throat)• Rotavirus - Severe diarrhea (watery waste, fever, and vomiting) • Pneumococcal - Bacterial disease (fever, difficulty breathing, and cough)• Inactivated Poliovirus - A viral disease that targets the nerves (fever, muscle

aches, loss of reflexes)• Influenza - Highly contagious viral infection (fever and chills, dry cough, ear

aches, and vomiting)• Measles, mumps, rubella - Dermatitis ( flu-like symptoms, pink eye, and fever)• Varicella - Contagious infection ( rash, fever, cold-like symptoms, and fatigue)• Meningococcal - Bacterial infection that causes severe illness (high fever,

vomiting, body ache)• Hepatitis B -Virus transmitted through blood (fever, fatigue, nausea, and

vomiting)

Fire Safety Tips • Replace or professionally repair any appliances that spark, smell unusual,

or overheat.•Don't run electrical wires under rugs.•Make sure lamps and night-lights are not touching bedspreads, drapes, or other fabrics.•Use caution when using electric blankets.•Don't let kids use kitchen appliances by themselves and supervise any art or science projects that involve electrical devices.•Cover any outlets that are not in use with plastic safety covers if you have toddlers or young children in your home

Resources for keeping kids safe & healthy

• Poison control number- 1-800-222-1222• Know closest hospital (911)• Have a fire extinguisher available• Teach children to stay calm in emergency

situations• Teach kids emergency procedures• Educate them on nutrition• Keep them on a daily exercise cycle