Media Contact: Toshia JohnsonE-mail: [email protected]Tel. 310.423.4062 or 310.423.4767
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE LONG LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER CAN INCREASE CHILDREN'S RISK OF ACCIDENTAL INJURIES AND EVEN DEATH
Kids have been waiting all year for summer, the time to stay up late and play all day. Even though summer is the season for sun and fun for kids, it's also the time for death and injury. According to Kate Perkins, MD, Ph.D., Medical Director of the Children's Health Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, "Children are at higher risk for death and injury during the summer because with the long warm summer days, children have the opportunity to be more adventurous." "In addition, they have less supervision, have more free time and participate in more outdoor activities," says Perkins.
According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, tragedies peak during the summer months between May and August. During this time nearly half (42 percent) of all unintended injury-related deaths occur, and during the summer about half of deaths among children ages 10 to 14 years occur. In addition, July is the deadliest time for childhood unintentional injury with 12 percent of unintentional injury-related deaths occurring during this month alone.
Most injuries and deaths during the summer are from drownings, falls, and bike/pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents . According to Dr. Perkins, drownings and near drownings are much more common during the summertime when children and adults escape the hot summer heat with a plunge in the pool or a day at the beach. Other activities such as ball games, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters increase the chance of broken bones, bumps and bruises.
But the picture isn't gloomy. According to Dr. Perkins, there are steps you can take to protect your children.According to Kate Perkins, MD, Ph.D., Medical Director of the Children's Health Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, "Children are at higher risk for death and injury during the summer because with the long warm summer days, children have the opportunity to be more adventurous." "In addition, they have less supervision, have more free time and participant in more outdoor activities," says Perkins.
According to Trauma Season: A National Study of the Seasonality Of Unintentional Childhood Injury, findings confirm that child injuries and deaths from drownings, falls, and bike, pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents increase every summer. Perkins states, "As a pediatrician, I see children with injuries from accidents on a regular basis, but I have noticed an increase of unintentional injuries during the summer."
"As a pediatrician, I see children with injuries from accidents on a regular basis, but parents can help protect their children from summertime injuries by following the summer safety guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics," states Dr. Perkins.
To ensure your child's safety, Perkins recommends following the summer safety guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Sun Safety-- Babies under 6 months should never be kept in the direct sunlight -- Dress children in lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs and use brimmed hats-- Always aApply a a sunscreen/sun protection factor (at least 15) at least thirty minutes before going outside even when cloudy -- Reapply sunscreen/sun protection every 2 hours when swimming, even if it's waterproof -- Keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are strongest
Pool and Water Safety-- Never ever leave children alone in or near water, including the pools, spas, toilets, bathtubs and buckets -- Whenever children are in or around water, adults who have been trained in life saving techniques and CPR should be within an arm's length, providing touch supervision-- Keep rescue equipment and portable telephone near pool-- Surround your pool with a sturdy five-foot fence with self closing gates and self latches that can not be reached by children-- Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as floaties, they are not a substitute for life vests and give children a false sense of security-- Children should not take swim lessons until after their fourth birthday-- Never allow children to dive into pools because if a child hits their head on the bottom or side of the pool, it can cause serious head, neck and spinal cord injuries
Wheel Safety-- Make sure your kids wear properly fitting helmets and other protective gear whenever they ride their bikes, scooters, in-line skates or skateboards
Bug Safety-- Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child-- Repellents used on children should contain no more than 10 percent deet for kids older than age 2 years, and don't use deet for kids younger than 2 years of age-- Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate-- Avoid dressing children in bright colors or flowery prints-- To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail-- Allergic reactions to bites and/or stings can be life-threatening , if there's any sign of shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue, vomiting, collapse, or loss of consciousness, emergency medical attention is required, call 911 immediately.
Playground Safety-- Never purchase or use home trampolines-- Carefully maintain all equipment-- Equipment should be made with soft materials, moving parts should be out of reach and always check for hot metal to prevent burns
Dog Bites--Don't get a dog until your child is five or six years old--Never leave your child alone with a dog--Teach your child to never surprise or scar a dog and never approach an unfamiliar dog--Immediately contact your pediatrician whenever your child receives an animal bite
Travel Safety-- Never leave children or pets in the car -- not even while you run into the store just for a minute, cars can reach lethal temperatures in just a few minutes-- Always use a car seat and make sure it's appropriately installed, read the manufacture's instructions and your vehicle owner's manual-- Always use seat belts-- Put your child in the back seat, it's the safest place in the car because it's the farthest away from a head on collision--Never place your child in a rear facing car seat in the front seat equipped with an airbag--Keep snacks, water, a first aid kit and any medicines your child needs when you travel
The Children's Health Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center provides a team of doctors, nurses, social workers and other care providers who are dedicated to helping kids stay as healthy as possible. The Children's Health Clinic offers many of the services your child needs in just one location, including: well-child checkups, vaccinations/shots, urgent/same-day appointments, back-to-school checkups, complete dental care, treatment of behavioral and developmental conditions, treatment of childhood problems like asthma, seizures, poor growth or development, ear infections, injuries, sickle cell anemia, cancer and Down's Syndrome, parenting education, and lab test and advice with medicines and prescriptions.
For more information on any of the pediatric programs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, please call 1-800-CEDARS-1 or 1-800-233-2771.
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For media information and to arrange an interview, please contact Toshia Johnson via e-mail at [email protected] or call 310.423.4062 or 310.423.4767.
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