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*Please be aware that information provided on this website is for your further education only. It is not to replace the medical care you would receive from our office in response to specific symptoms and questions.  If you have any questions, call the office.                                                                                    

WHAT'S NEW 

                                                        March 2010

    

             

 

 

Spring Break Safety

Spring has arrived at last!  Often, families plan trips for some fun in the sun after the cold, dark days of winter.  If you're lucky enough to be going somewhere warm, remember these tips when out in the sun.  A tan may look "healthy" now but sun exposure causes premature aging, wrinkles, skin discoloration and cancer.

Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight.  Keep them in the shade, wear lightweight clothing and a hat with a brim. No sunscreen should be used in infants under 6 months of age.

For children, use a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.  Be careful when applying to the face, avoid the eye area.  A hat with a brim to protect the face and sunglasses with UV protection are recommended.

Remember:

  • The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

  • The sun's rays can bounce back from sand, snow, water and concrete.

  • Even on cloudy days wear sunscreen.

  • Look for the word "broad spectrum" on sunscreen.  This means the sunscreen will screen out (UVB) and (UVA).

  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours.

  • Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going outdoors and rub in well.

  • Zinc oxide, a very effective sunblock, can be used as extra protection on the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears and shoulders.

Beach Tips:

  • Drink plenty of water, non-carbonated beverages and non-alcoholic drinks, even if you do not feel thirsty.

  • Stay within the designated swimming area and within the visibility of a lifeguard.

  • Never swim alone.

  • Be aware of rip currents.  If you should get caught in a current, don't try to swim against it.  Swim parallel to the shore until clear of the current.

  • Seek shelter in case of storms.  Get out of the water and off the beach.

  • Watch for traffic - some beaches allow cars.

~American Academy of Pediatrics 2007

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Travel Reminders:  

Traveling with a child can be entertaining, exciting, challenging and exhausting.  With proper planning and preparation, a family trip can be pleasant and relatively trouble free.

If traveling by car:    

Be sure that seat belts and car seats operate properly, and that all passengers are safely secured with doors locked before you put the car in DRIVE.

Take breaks every two hours.  Use this time to let infants and children crawl or walk, enjoy a snack or get some fresh air.

Pack extra blankets and clothing if traveling in cold weather.

Include plenty of toys and games to keep children occupied.

Never leave baby or child in the car unattended.

Select hotels and restaurants that cater to children and provide amenities to accommodate your family.

Stop driving if you get tired or drowsy.  Your family is counting on you for a safe trip!

If traveling by air:       

Traveling by air is dehydrating.  Give your infant or child plenty of fluids during the flight.

Feed baby during takeoff and landing.  Frequent swallowing helps alleviate ear pressure, which is very common during a plane's ascent and descent.  Older children should also have a drink or snack to encourage swallowing.

Pack small toys to keep children occupied.

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Teaching Gratitude

  • Practice finding things to be thankful for on the way to school each morning.

  • Encourage your children to share with you what they are thankful for and share with them what you are grateful for.

  • Teach them to do small, thoughtful gestures for those they want to thank such as leaving a note in the car or doing an extra chore for someone in the family.

  • Encourage your children to use "please" and "thank you" when asking for something.  Set a good example and use these words yourself.

  • Find a family activity that helps others who are less fortunate to teach your own children appreciation for what they have.

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Winter Health Safety 

Exposure to cold temperatures can cause serious and life-threatening health problems, including  hypothermia and frostbite.  Seek immediate medical attention for symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia:

Hypothermia develops when a child's temperature falls below normal due to exposure to cold.  It often happens when a youngster is playing outdoors in extremely cold weather without wearing proper clothing.

As hypothermia sets in, the child may shiver and become lethargic and clumsy.  His speech may become slurred and his body temperature will decline.  If you suspect your child is hypothermic, call 911 at once.  Until help arrives, take the child indoors, remove any wet clothing, and wrap him in blankets and warm clothes.

Frostbite:

Frostbite happens when the skin and outer tissues become frozen. Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play.  Have children come inside periodically to warm up. This condition tends to happen on extremities like the fingers, toes, ears and nose.  

These areas may become pale, gray and blistered.  At the same time, the child may complain that her skin burns or has become numb.  If frostbite occurs, bring the child indoors and place the frostbitten parts of her body in warm (not hot) water.  Warm washcloths may be applied to frostbitten nose, ears and lips.  Do not rub the frozen areas.  After a few minutes, dry and cover her with clothing or blankets.  Give her something warm to drink.  If the numbness continues for more than a few minutes, call your doctor.

Common winter Ailments:

Nosebleeds:  If your child suffers from winter nosebleeds, try using a cold air humidifier in their room at night.  Saline nose drops may help keep tissues moist.  If bleeding is severe or recurrent, consult your pediatrician.

Dry skin:  Many pediatricians feel that bathing two or three times a week is enough for the infant's first year.  More frequent baths may dry out the skin, especially during the winter.  Use of a moisturizer daily and after baths will help dry skin.

Colds:  Cold weather does not cause colds or flu.  But the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter, when children are in school or daycare and are in closer contact with each other.  Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into their elbows may help reduce the risk of colds and flu.

 

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Winter Safety

When the temperature drops, staying safe and warm and performing everyday activities can be challenging and dangerous. Young children, older adults, and the chronically ill are most at risk of having cold-related health problems. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people affected by the ongoing cold weather to take steps to protect themselves, and to check to be sure their families, friends, and neighbors stay safe and warm this winter.

Exposure to Extremely Cold Temperatures

When possible, people should stay indoors, in homes and buildings that are properly heated.  If your home is not heated, find other safe ways to stay warm. 

  • Wear winter clothing indoors, including layers of warm clothes, as well as socks, shoes, and hats.  Use blankets for additional warmth. 

  • Close off unused, exterior rooms and gather together in a single interior room.

  • Seek shelter in heated public places, like malls, libraries and homeless shelters.

Following these important safety tips can help protect those who must go outside in winter weather.

  • Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.

  • Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.

  • Be aware of the wind chill factor.

  • Work slowly when doing outside chores.

  • Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation.

  • Avoid traveling when the weather service has issued advisories.

  • If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival.

  • Carry a cell phone.

     

Staying Safe during a Power Outage

Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.  When power outages occur during emergencies such as winter storms, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating or cooking can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in a home, garage, or camper and can kill the people and animals inside.  CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled.

  • Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available. Alternate heating sources can include properly used generators and well-maintained fireplaces.

  • Prevent carbon monoxide emergencies.

    • Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.

    • Install a CO detector with a working battery to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas.

    • Learn symptoms of CO poisoning: headaches, nausea, and disorientation. Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous.

    • Always “warm up” your car or truck outside of your garage.  Attached garages can leak CO fumes into your house, even if you leave the door open.

    • Check to be sure your stove or fireplace is properly vented before burning anything in it.

    • Never heat your house with a gas oven.

    • Keep grills and generators out of the house and garage. Position generators at least 25 feet from the house.

  • Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.

  • Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including:

    • battery-operated devices, such as a flashlight, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and lamps;

    • extra batteries;

    • first-aid kit and extra medicine;

    • baby items; and

    • cat litter or sand for icy walkways.

       

Driving in Winter Weather

Snow, sleet and ice can affect driving conditions, making it more difficult to navigate the roads safely.  When winter weather makes driving difficult, the safest place to be is off the road.  If people must drive, they should take steps to be as safe as possible on the roads.

  • Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.

  • Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.

  • Keep a winter emergency kit in the car in case you become stranded. Include

    • blankets;

    • food and water;

    • booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction);

    • compass and maps;

    • flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries;

    • first-aid kit; and

    • plastic bags (for sanitation).

  • Follow these safety rules if you become stranded in your car.

    • Stay with your car unless safety is no more than 100 yards away, but continue to move arms and legs.

    • Stay visible by putting bright cloth on the antenna, turning on the inside overhead light (when engine is running), and raising the hood when snow stops falling.

    • Run the engine and heater only 10 minutes every hour.

    • Keep a downwind window open.

    • Make sure the tailpipe is not blocked.

 

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Winter Sports Safety

Ice Skating

-Allow children to skate only on approved surfaces.  Ice skating should be done at regulated rinks and not on ponds, rivers or other bodies of water that might be only partially frozen.  Check for signs posted by local police or recreation departments to find out which areas are approved.  

-Advise your child to skate in the same direction as the crowd.  Avoid darting across the ice.

-Never skate alone.

-Do not chew gum or hard candy when skating.

-Wear appropriate clothing and safety equipment.

Sledding  

-Keep sledders away from motor vehicles and bodies of water.

-Children should be supervised.  Keep young children separated from older children.  Avoid sledding in overcrowded areas.

-Sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first, may prevent head injuries.

-Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp edges and splinters, and the steering mechanism should be well lubricated.

-Sled slopes should be free of obstructions like trees or fences, be covered in snow not ice, not be too steep (slope of less than 30 degrees) and end with a flat runoff.

Snow Skiing and Snowboarding

-Children should be taught to ski or snowboard by a qualified instructor in a program designed for children.  Slopes should fit the ability and experience of the skier or snowboarder.  Avoid overcrowded slopes.

-Never ski or snowboard alone.  Young children should always be supervised by an adult.  Older children's need for supervision depends on their maturity and skill.  If they are not with an adult, then they should at least be accompanied by a friend.

-The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under age 7 not snowboard.

-Equipment should fit the child.  Skiers should wear safety bindings that are adjusted at least every year.  Snowboarders should wear gloves with built in wrist guards.  Consider wearing a helmet.

Snowmobiles    

-The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under age 16 not operate snowmobiles and that children under age 6 never ride on a snowmobile.

- Do not use a snowmobile to pull a sled or skiers.

-Wear safety goggles, boots and a helmet approved for use on motorized vehicles like motorcycles.  Travel at a safe speed.

-Never use alcohol or drugs before or during snowmobiling.

-Never snowmobile alone.

-Stay on marked trails, away from roads, water, railroads and pedestrians.

Sun Protection

The sun's rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they 
reflect off snow.  Make sure to cover your child's exposed skin with sunscreen.

Fire Protection

Winter is a time when household fires occur. It is a good time to remember to:
-- Buy and install smoke alarms on every floor of your home
-- Test smoke alarms monthly
-- Practice fire drills with your children
~AAP

 

Over the Counter Cold Medicine (Not Recommended)

On October 11, 2007, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), on behalf of the leading makers of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines, announced the voluntary withdrawal of oral infant cough and cold medications from store shelves.

  • The voluntary withdrawal of OTC oral infant cough and cold medicines was initiated by the makers of those medications out of an abundance of caution. This was not a mandatory recall or a medicine safety issue.

  • Kids' OTC cough and cold medicines are both safe and effective when used correctly. Very rare cases of overdose from misuse, however, reportedly have occurred, particularly in infants less than two years of age, prompting the medicine makers' precautionary action.

  • Infants under the age of two are the most vulnerable to the consequences of this misuse.

The voluntary withdrawal only affects oral infant cough and cold medications. It does not affect any other children's medicines

On October 18-19, 2007, two advisory committees of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gathered in Maryland to discuss the safety and efficacy of OTC cough and cold medicines for children. The panels, in a majority vote of 13-nine, voted to recommend to FDA that cough and cold active ingredients should no longer be available for use in children under six-years-old.

  • This is only a recommendation and not a determination or action by FDA. FDA will review this recommendation and all the data discussed during the advisory committee meeting to determine what actions, if any, it will take.

  • If FDA were to adopt this recommendation, parents would be left with no over-the-counter medicinal relief when their children under age six suffer from cold symptoms.

  • The data show that these medicines are safe when used as directed and that harm to this age group, while very rare, is attributable in most cases to accidental ingestion, an issue of safekeeping that is best addressed through education.

  • The medicine makers will continue their education efforts, with the launch of a new, major multi-year educational campaign for parents and other caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The campaign will stress the safe use and safekeeping of OTC cough and cold medicines to prevent misuse or accidental ingestion.

The makers of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines want to ensure that parents and caregivers understand when and how to use these medicines safely.

The safe use of these medicines is the highest priority. Medicine makers will continue their long history of providing consumer education with the launch of a new, multi-year national educational program to build awareness among parents and other caregivers and healthcare professionals about how to safely use OTC cough and cold medicines in children, and, as importantly, when not to use them.

Oral Infant Cough and Cold Medicines Voluntarily Withdrawn

Parents and caregivers are advised not to use any oral, cough and cold medicines for children under two years of age.
If you have purchased a medicine that is included in the list of products being voluntarily withdrawn, please inquire with the retail store from which you purchased it regarding its return, exchange, or refund policy. Additionally, some manufacturers have information on their product web sites concerning the withdrawal.

As always, whenever you have questions about how to treat your child's cough and cold symptoms, you should contact your doctor.

Oral Infant cough and cold medicines voluntarily withdrawn are:

  • Dimetapp® Decongestant Plus Cough Infant Drops

  • Dimetapp® Decongestant Infant Drops

  • Little Colds® Decongestant Plus Cough

  • Little Colds® Multi-Symptom Cold Formula

  • PEDIACARE® Infant Drops Decongestant (containing pseudoephedrine)

  • PEDIACARE® Infant Drops Decongestant Cough (containing pseudoephedrine)

  • PEDIACARE® Infant Dropper Decongestant (containing phenylephrine)

  • PEDIACARE® Infant Dropper Long-Acting Cough

  • PEDIACARE® Infant Dropper Decongestant & Cough (containing phenylephrine)

  • Robitussin® Infant Cough and Cold CF

  • Robitussin® Infant Cough DM Drops

  • Triaminic® Infant & Toddler Thin Strips® Decongestant

  • Triaminic® Infant & Toddler Thin Strips® Decongestant Plus Cough

  • TYLENOL® Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold

  • TYLENOL® Concentrated Infants' Drops Plus Cold & Cough

OTCsafety.org is brought to you by the
Consumer Healthcare Products Association

We recommend the use of salt water nose drops, cool humidified air in your child's room and elevating the head of the bed to help with cold symptoms.  

In general, most cold symptoms last 7-10 days.  A cough occurs as cold symptoms begin to improve.  A cough with fever or any respiratory difficulty should be seen immediately.  If your child develops a fever that lasts longer than 48 hours or a cough lasting longer than 14 days they should be seen in the office.

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Dress for the Weather 

  • Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities.  Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm.

  • The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.

  • Blankets, quilts, pillows, afghans and other loose bedding may contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and should be kept out of infants' sleeping environment.  Sleep clothing like one-piece sleepers is preferred.

  • If a blanket must be used to keep a sleeping infant warm, it should be tucked in around the crib mattress, reaching only as far as your baby's chest, so the infant's face is less likely to become covered by the bedding.

~the American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP)

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Sugar Free Teens Support Group

A support group for teen girls (ages 12-17) with diabetes.

Come join the fun!  Share your experience and problems with other diabetics.

Facilitated by therapist Lisa Clark, MSSA, LISWS, LICDC at:

Kenneth A. DeLuca, Ph.D & Assoc., Inc.

35888 Center Ridge Rd. Suite 5

North Ridgeville, Ohio  44039

440-327-1800

We meet every second Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m.

Call to save your spot!

Minimal Monthly Fee

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Stop the Spread of Germs

The main way that illnesses like colds and flu are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes.  This is called "droplet spread."

This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby.  Sometimes germs can also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.  Some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks.

    Ways to stop the spread of germs:

  • Cover your mouth and nose.  Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away.  Cover your cough or    sneeze if you do not have a tissue.  Then, clean your hands, and repeat every time you cough or sneeze.

  • Clean your hands often.  It is recommended when washing your hands to do so for 15 to 20 seconds.  That's about the same time it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice!  If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used.  If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry.  The alcohol in the gel kills the germs on your hands.

  • Remind your children to practice healthy habits, too.  If allowed by your school, send your child with his or her own sanitizing gel and encourage them to use it.  Also, discourage them from sharing drinks with other children.

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Home Safety

It's impossible to make your home accident proof.  But you can reduce everyday risks, particularly for the children involved in about 2 million home accidents every year.  Children don't know the rules yet and are just being curious.  Almost anything within reach attracts their attention, and with little ones it goes straight into the mouth. Crawl through rooms to check the safety landscape from a toddler's point of view.

~CDC

For more safety checklists geared for parents, grandparents, about home playgrounds  baby products and more, go to  www.cpsc.gov.

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Build a Better Reader

Five easy ways to build a better reader:

1.  Don't sweat mistakes.  If your child gets to a word he doesn't know when reading aloud, don't make him sound it out, just give him the word.  We learn from having our strengths identified not our mistakes magnified.  ~Jeff Wilhelm, Professor of Reading at Univ. of Idaho.

2.  Stay positive.  Don't make reading a barrier to an activity your child enjoys ("You can't go out and play until you've done your reading")~Jim Trelease, author of The Read-Aloud Handbook.

3.  Card 'em.  When your child is reading a book with a lot of words, have him place an index card under the line of text he's reading and slide the card down the page as he reads.  This helps kids keep their place. ~Richard Allington, Ph.D., president of the International Reading Association.

4.  Form a team.  Rather than arguing with your child about when she's going to start and how she'll finish a daunting reading assignment, offer to share the burden.  Your child reads one page aloud, you read the next. ~Carol Rasco, CEO of Reading is Fundamental.

5.  Give books as gifts.  Children say they are more likely to read books they own, specifically, ones that were given to them by someone they love. ~Twila Liggett, Ph.D., creator of Reading Rainbow.

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Did you know?

Every well stocked medicine cabinet should include:

  • Motrin and Tylenol for pain and fever management

  • Benadryl for allergic reactions

  • Hydrocortisone cream 1% for eczema/rashes as directed by a physician

Many products are often recalled after distribution for safety reasons.  The following websites are excellent sources of information regarding recalls.

- www.consumeraffairs.com  At the site, click on recalls.  Select children's items.  You can select items back to the year, 1999.

- www.cpsc.com  U.S. consumer product Safety Commission.  Provides information on recalls and product safety news.  Years 1973 - 2005, by month.  Can search the most recent month or by product category.

 

- these allergy tips may help reduce your child's symptoms?

  • shower and shampoo hair every night before bed to remove pollen.  If this is not possible, at least wash face and hands before bed.

  • remove shoes before entering the house or do not wear shoes into the bedroom.

  • keep window shut in the bedroom of the allergic person.

  • avoid handling pets before bedtime that have been outside and are probably covered in pollen.

 

- the top ten household poisons?

  1. Cosmetics

  2.  Cleaning products

  3.  Analgesics such as aspirin, tylenol.

  4.  Plants

  5.  Cough and Cold Remedies

  6.  Foreign objects, such as mothballs.

  7.  Topical treatments, such as creams and lotions.

  8.  Pesticides 

  9.  Oral antibiotics

 10.  Vitamins

 

- that toilet lids should remain closed to prevent " spiraling toilet aerosol", which contains airborne germs, bacteria and particles that are cast into the air with every flush of the toilet.  

Dr. Charles Gerba, professor at the University of Arizona and specialist in microbiology reports that significant amounts of bacteria, virus and microbes float around the bathroom for at least two hours after every flush.  To decrease the amount of these floating germs, close your toilet lid before flushing, use bleach tablets in your toilet bowl and put your toothbrush and cup away.

- the laundry room is one of the places with the highest concentration of bacteria and fecal matter due to the collection of underwear.

Fight germs when doing your laundry and make underwear your last load.  Don't put colored underwear with other colored items.  Use chlorine bleach to clean clothing and your washing machine.

-that many common household plants are poisonous.  Is there danger growing in your house or garden?

The following list includes plants considered to be toxic (poisonous, possibly dangerous).  These plants contain a wide variety of poisons and may cause symptoms from a mild stomachache, skin rash, swelling of the mouth and throat to involvement of the heart, kidneys or other organs.  Many plants do not cause toxicity unless ingested in very large amounts.

House                                Flower Garden                            Vegetable Garden

Caladium                             Azalea                                        Tomato Leaves

Dumbcane(Diffenbachia)      Crocus                                       Rhubarb Leaves

Elephant ear                         Lily of the Valley                         Potato sprouts

Primrose                              Daffodil                                      Mushrooom

Ivy                                       Hyacinth

For a more complete listing contact the Poison Control Center in your area.

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Gemini Towers - 2001 Crocker Rd. #600 - Westlake, Ohio 44145
Fairview Hospital Medical Building - 18099 Lorain Rd. Suite 304 - Cleveland, Ohio 44111

440-871-5100                

216-476-2300