Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • Everyone is talking about… Zika

    It’s important, today, especially for pregnant women that we are discussing Zika. Zika is not a who, but it definitely is a “what”! Zika is a virus, and it is carried and spread by the bite of a particular mosquito infected with the virus, the Aedes aegypti mosquito. This is the mosquito also known as the carrier of Yellow Fever, the Dengue viruses, and the very same mosquito which can carry and spread the Chikungunya virus. It is important for us to be able to identify this mosquito, which is black with tiny white markings on its head, back, legs and a lyre-like white marking on its thorax… if you get that close enough to see it! Here is a link with a very good photo of Zika (and we must give credit to ABC News for publishing this photo, it is excellent!)1 http://abcnews.go.com/Health/florida-gov-declares-state-emergency-counties-zika-virus/story?id=36696887 For obvious reasons, this is a mosquito we don’t want in or around our homes or in places we go. At least in the United States, we expect mosquito prevention and eradication measures, such as pesticide spraying, may be stepped up by appropriate state or federal agencies where the zika virus is present.

    The disease itself has symptoms ranging from fever, to rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The symptoms may be mild and last several days to a week. But the effects of Zika virus in pregnant women are most troubling and they include microcephaly, a birth defect, in the offspring of pregnant women who become infected with the virus while they are pregnant. Microcephaly means that the circumference of the head of a (newborn) child is more than two standard deviations below average size for the age and sex of a child. Simply put, the virus may cause a child’s head not to be fully developed in size if his or her mother was infected with the virus while she was pregnant with that child.

    Before 2015, Zika virus outbreaks occurred in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, but the virus is now heavily present in Central and South America (although not in Chile). It is also in the United States, but not yet in Canada. The CDC and the World Health Organization note that the virus’ spread is rapidly on the increase in various countries. Governor of Florida Rick Scott has declared a health emergency in Florida as several cases of Zika have been identified and isolated there. One theory being checked also is that the disease may have been sexually transmitted, from an infected partner to another person. Although this has not yet been fully confirmed, taking precautions, especially if you are pregnant and you are traveling or have traveled to areas where Zika is present, is a very sound idea. Pregnant women are recommended not to travel to areas where the zika virus exists presently. If you are already in those areas you are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks which cover your skin in order to prevent a bite. Stay in places where there are windows and door screens. Pay attention to instructions for applying insect repellents. There are special instructions for the use of insect repellents with children. To be more informed about this disease, please visit CDC’s Fact Sheet on Zika at cdc.gov/zika/disease-qa.html

    There is currently NO Vaccine yet developed or specific treatment advised for the Zika virus.
    _______________________
    1 ABC News, “Florida Governor Declares State of Emergency in Counties with Zika Virus”, February 3, 2016, ABC News, 47 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023,http://abcnews.go.com/Health/florida-gov-declares-state-emergency-counties-zika-virus/story?id=36696887

  • Graco Recalls Child Seats

    Report Receipt Date: FEB 02, 2016

    NHTSA Campaign Number: 16C002000

    Component(s): CHILD SEAT , EQUIPMENT

    Potential Number of Units Affected: 15,064

    All Products Associated with this Recall:

    [ultimatetables 8 /]

    Manufacturer: Graco Children’s Products Inc.

    SUMMARY:
    Graco Children’s Products, Inc. (Graco) is recalling certain Extend2Fit Convertible child seats manufactured November 27, 2015, to January 20, 2016. The affected child seats may have the recline label affixed at the wrong location, resulting in confusion about how to use the seat properly. As such, these child seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 213, “Child Restraint Systems.”

    CONSEQUENCE:
    If the instructions are followed as shown, a rear-facing infant could be placed in an upright position and/or a forward-facing toddler could be placed in a recline position. Either scenario may increase the risk of injury to the child in the event of a crash.

    REMEDY:
    Graco will notify owners and provide a new corrected label with application instructions, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 26, 2016. Owners may contact Graco customer service at 1-800-345-4109.

    NOTES:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  • Graco Recalls Child Seats

    Report Receipt Date: MAR 18, 2015

    NHTSA Campaign Number: 15C001000

    Component(s): CHILD SEAT

    All Products Associated with this Recall

    [ultimatetables 9 /]

    SUMMARY:
    Graco Children’s Products Inc. (Graco) is recalling certain ComfortSport child restraints, model numbers 1813040 and 1794333; Ready Ride child restraints, model numbers 1924520 and 1924519; and Classic Ride child restraints, model number 1812930. These seats were manufactured between March 1, 2014, and February 28, 2015. The affected convertible child restraints are missing a statement on the affixed label that informs of location of the instruction manual. Without the notice on the fixed label, these seats fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 “Child Restraint Systems.”

    CONSEQUENCE:
    If the label does not inform the seat owner of the instruction manual’s location, the owner may not be able to refer to it and may use the seat improperly, increasing the risk of injury to the child in the event of a crash.

    REMEDY:
    Graco will notify the registered owners and will mail them corrected labels to affix to the child restraints. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Graco at 1-800-345-4109.

    NOTES:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  • All Shook Up–by HHS’ and USDA’s New Nutritional Guidelines’ Recommendations About the Salt in Our Diet

    by Marianne Halterman

    Do you know how much sodium is in your diet?  How about in your children’s diets?  The latest release of the USDA’s recommended Nutritional Guidelines, January 2016, suggests that we limit adult intake of sodium to 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day.  That’s the amount of sodium in 1 teaspoon of regular table salt (Sodium Chloride, NaCl) , folks.  And for children, it’s less than that!  For optimal heart health, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends adults consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day… and that is about 3/4 of a teaspoon of table salt. One quarter of a teaspoon of salt contains approximately 575 mg sodium. Now, the AHA and the medical community are asking us to “Shake the Salt Habit!” 1  This may be very important for kids’ sakes!  Some sodium in our diets is good and important for our bodies. Our body’s fluids require a balance of sodium and water. Too much or not enough of either is bad and can prevent our body from working properly; too much sodium in some individuals can cause higher blood pressure and fluid retention in body tissues.

    The American Heart Association calls Americans’ “normal” intake of sodium in the form of salt, “excessive”. 2  AHA observes that much of that sodium comes in processed foods.  This is just one more reason it’s good to get in the habit of reading the labels on processed and packaged foods.  Snack foods are among the worst for loading us up with sodium.  A popular brand of cheese crackers’ label indicates one serving contains no cholesterol… but does contain 230 mg of sodium which is 10 percent of the daily “requirement” (or in sodium’s case, recommended daily limit), that is 27 crackers (less than an inch square in size) or about one handful.  Snacks aren’t the only culprit; following them in line are bread, rolls, pizza, soups, cold cuts, cured meats, poultry, condiments, sauces, frozen meals and sandwiches, many of which find their way into children’s meals and lunch boxes.

    The American Heart Association notes that on average children, between the ages of 2 and 19, consume an average of 3,100 mg of salt per day, that boys from 2-19 consume more sodium than girls, anywhere up to 4,220 mg/day, to girls’ average of 2,950 mg/day. AHA says this is way too much. They also note, “Factors contributing to higher blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke begin in childhood. The rate of high blood pressure is increasing in American children. More than 1 in 8 children aged 12-19 are at high risk for having (or already have) high blood pressure.” 3 Eating salt-laden foods and snacks also contributes to childhood obesity.

    So, what do we need to do, as parents, family members and caregivers to start kids on a path to healthier eating, so that they can expect long, healthful lives?  How can we shake the salt habit?  We can add herbs and spices to improve the taste of food, instead of adding salt during cooking. We can remove the salt shaker from our meal table. We can rinse canned vegetables prior to cooking.  We can choose healthy snacks in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables. We can add more fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish to our families’ diets, and cultivate the taste of foods without added salt that comes from processing. For more tips on living with less salt, go to the American Heart Association’s website, www.heart.org

    _________________

    1 American Heart Association, “Shaking the Salt Habit: Why is it bad to have too much sodium?”, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231, http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/PreventionTreatmentofHighBloodPressure/Shaking-the-Salt-Habit_UCM_303241_Article.jsp#.VrESTLIrIgB

    2 American Heart Association, “Answers By Heart”, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231, https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300625.pdf

    3 American Heart Association, “Sodium Science: The Facts About Kids – Sodium Break Up!”, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231,  http://sodiumbreakup.heart.org/sodium-411/sodium-science-fact-versus-myth/

  • Wedgwood Decorative Baby Rattles Recalled by WWRD Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: February 4, 2016

    Recall Number: 16-095

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Wedgwood Peter Rabbit decorative baby rattles

    Hazard: The ball bearings inside each side of the decorative rattle can be released, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund – Consumers should immediately stop using the decorative rattles and take them away from young children and contact WWRD for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: WWRD toll-free at 877-892-9973 anytime or online at www.wwrd.com and click on Recall Information for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 670 in the U.S. (in addition 24 were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall involves all Wedgwood Peter Rabbit decorative baby rattles. The silver-plated giftware is shaped like a baby rattle, but is intended to be used as decoration only. It measures about 4 ½ inches long and 2 inches wide. A Peter Rabbit figure and “hop hop hop” underneath are embossed on one end cap and “hop little rabbit” over the Peter Rabbit figure is embossed on the other end cap.

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of ball bearings releasing from the decorative giftware baby rattle. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold at: Bloomingdales, Macy’s, and WWRD Outlets and other department stores nationwide and online at www.amazon.com and www.wedgwood.com from April 2015 through December 2015 for between $75 and $95.

    Importer: WWRD U.S. LLC, of Wall, N.J.

    Manufactured in: China

  • KHS America Recalls Children’s Musical Instrument Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

    Recall Date: February 4, 2016

    Recall Number: 16-094

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Monkey Glockenspiel

    Hazard: The pink metal note bar on the glockenspiel may contain excessive levels of lead in the paint, violating the federal lead paint standard. If the paint is scraped off and ingested lead can cause adverse health effects.

    Remedy: Replace – Consumers should immediately remove the pink bar from the glockenspiel and contact KHS America for information on getting a free replacement pink bar.

    Consumer Contact: KHS America Green Tones at 800-283-4676 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at www.gogreentones.com and click on “Contact Us” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 150

    Description: The Green Tones 8-note Monkey Glockenspiel is a children’s musical instrument with eight metal bars in multiple colors mounted on a wooden base shaped like a monkey. The bars are individually attached to the base with one screw at each end. The second bar from the top is pink, 3.5 inches long and has a “B” stamped on it. This is the bar that needs to be replaced. The Green Tones logo is stamped on the back of the glockenspiel and the tracking number HS0178410914 is printed in black at the bottom.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported

    Sold at: Independent toy and music retailers and online at amazon.com and gogreentones.com from January 2015 through September 2015 for about $40.

    Importer: KHS America of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

    Manufactured in: Israel

  • Dollar General Recalls Construction Truck Toy Vehicles Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

    Recall Date: February 4, 2015

    Recall Number: 16-092

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumers should stop using this product unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Toy trucks

    Hazard: The toy truck’s remote control can short circuit, causing it to overheat and posing fire and burn hazards.

    Remedy: Refund – Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy vehicles away from children and contact Dollar General for a full refund.

    Consumer Contact: Dollar General at 800-678-9258 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at custsv@dollargeneral.com or online at www.dollargeneral.com and click on Product Recalls at the bottom of the page under the Help section for more information.

    Recall Details

    Units: About 27,000

    Description: This recall involves a toy excavator and a shovel loader. The remote controlled plastic toys are orange with black and orange wheels. Both have tracking code 90RWE15 marked on the back of the battery compartment. UPC number 00430000549030 can be found on the bottom of the packaging. Power, Shovel Loader and Super Power are printed on stickers located on the side of the excavator. UPC 00400001622537 can be found on the bottom of the packaging. 6000Kg Peakload, FL-330 Deluxe Crane, and Crane Super Truck are printed on stickers located on the side of the shovel loader.

    Incidents/Injuries: Dollar General has received five reports of the toy’s remote control overheating. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold exclusively at: Dollar General stores nationwide and online at www.dollargeneral.com from July 2015 through December 2015 for about $10.

    Importer/Distributor: Dollar General Corp., of Goodlettsville, Tenn.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Thinking About Springtime!

    by Marianne F. Halterman

    It’s Ground Hog Day, and there are 6 more weeks of winter.  Thinking about spring? You bet I am.  As the weather in the U.S. warms up, people will be venturing out of doors excitedly welcoming so many signs of spring: Crocuses, daffodils, redbud trees blooming. There is still snow on the ground where I live, but as the snow and cold weather subside, people will begin heading for ponds, lakes and rivers to picnic, fish, enjoy natural wildlife and pursue water sports.  They’ll be getting their outdoor water features, hot tubs and pools ready for warm weather use. Families with kayaks, canoes, all manner of water-crafts, sail and powerboats will be bringing them out of winter storage, and getting them ready to put them in the water.  So along with this warm-weather planning, I can’t help but think about safety precautions, and the challenges of child safety in these cooler months in particular.

    In many parts of the country, water in ponds, rivers and lakes is very cold–and will remain so at least until sometime in May or June, depending upon your location. Atlantic ocean beaches in the Carolinas won’t be warm enough for comfortable swimming until the end of May-beginning of June. The more northern beaches will experience warming a little later.  Even though we are happily thinking about playing on the beach and eventually going swimming–the water is still cold. And cold water can be dangerous for us, humans.  So this is about hypothermia.

    Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when the temperature of the human body’s core falls below  98.6° F (37° C) to 95° F (35° C) or cooler. Hypothermia can occur quickly. The human body’s heat loss in cold water occurs 25 times faster than it does in cold air. Hypothermia affects the body’s important organs, especially the brain, heart and lungs, and can cause physical and mental deficits, unconsciousness and even death.  According to the Minnesota Sea Grant, approximately 600 people die of hypothermia every year.  Children, the elderly and infirm, and people with compromised immune systems and health challenges, and people under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are frequently susceptible to hypothermia when exposed to cold temperatures of air and/or water for prolonged periods of time. Outdoor sports enthusiasts–people who boat, hunt, swim, fish, hike or ski are likely targets for hypothermia!

    So are young children who play out of doors!  Outdoor activities and trips with friends and family can expose children to prolonged periods in the cold. Healthy adult human bodies may be better able to tolerate cold weather conditions and usually adults take breaks, but kids often do not. Children playing don’t realize how long they are out in the cold–and if hypothermia occurs–because children are too cold for too long–perhaps their clothes or shoes are wet and they’re out in the cold air too–emergency measures may be required to bring a child’s body temperature back to normal.  As parents, caregivers and family members, it is up to you, to supervise your children’s amount of exposure to cold weather temperatures, and make sure they are warm enough, that they wear appropriate clothing and that they not stay outdoors in the cold too long! And if they go on outdoor trips with friends, make sure there are adults cognizant of safety measures along.  As always, your child’s safety comes first!

    _____________

    1 Minnesota Sea Grant, “Hypothermia Prevention: Survival in Cold Water”, University of Minnesota Duluth, 31 West College Street, Duluth, MN 55812, www.http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/coastal_communities/hypothermia#who

  • Skip Hop Recalls Crib Mobiles Due to Injury Hazard

    Recall Date: December 16, 2015

    Recall Number: 16-059

    Recall Summary

    Name of Product: Skip Hop crib mobiles

    Hazard: The strap attaching the product to the crib rail can break, posing an injury hazard if the product falls on the infant in the crib.

    Remedy: Replace

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mobiles and contact the firm for instructions on receiving a $75 coupon towards the purchase of a new Skip Hop product.

    Consumer Contact: Skip Hop toll-free at 877-475-4746 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email at customerservice@skiphop.com or online at www.skiphop.com and click on “Safety Notices” at the bottom of the page under “Customer Care” for more information.

    Recall Details

    Photos available at www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Skip-Hop-Recalls-Crib-Mobiles/

    Units: About 3,500 (an additional 850 were sold in Canada)

    Description: This recall includes the Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies projection crib mobiles. The mobile has a white plastic arm that attaches to the side of a crib with four blinking, glowing leaves with stuffed animal attachments. The mobile also has a projector on the top of the mobile that projects stars on the ceiling and plays eight nursery lullabies. The dangling stuffed animals on the mobile include a yellow and gray giraffe, a green turtle with a gray and white polka-dot shell, a brown and tan monkey and a gray and white striped owl. The mobiles measure 17.5 inches long by 14 inches wide by 22 inches tall. SKIP HOP and the model number 185509 are printed on the back of the mobile base.

    Incidents/Injuries: Skip Hop has received 8 reports of the strap attaching the mobile to the crib breaking. No injuries have been reported.

    Sold at: Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby and other independent juvenile specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and skiphop.com from July 2015 to November 2015 for about $65.

    Importer: Skip Hop Inc., of New York, N.Y.

    Manufactured in: China

    Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2015/56338r-eng.php

  • The Maternal Mortality Rate is… Going Up?

    Recently, several reliable news articles have highlighted the CDC’s conclusion that “the number of U.S. women dying due to pregnancy and childbirth more than doubled in 25 years1.” (“Why is the maternal mortality rate going up in the United States?”, Wallace, Kelly, CNN, 12/1/2015)  Twenty-five years ago, the rate was reported to have been 7.2 deaths of mothers per 100,000 live births in the U.S.  Currently, there are some theories why the numbers have jumped to 17.8 deaths per 100,000 births. (CNN, 12/1/2015)

    One theory about this increase in numbers from 1987 to now is that many women in their child-bearing years presently have health problems associated with obesity (such as diabetes or hypertension) which can complicate pregnancies and deliveries, as well as the recovery process from those deliveries.  In addition, more C-sections are being performed and any time there is surgery, there is the possibility of infection or a negative outcome.

    An unusual factor that may contriibute to the increase in numbers, Kelly Wallace of CNN points out, according to Dr. Andreea Creanga with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Reproductive Health, is an administrative factor in the manner standard U.S. death certificates in certain states now include a check-box.  Until now, the Standard U.S. Death Certificate was based on a form created in 19892. (“Has Maternal Mortality Really Doubled in the U.S.?”, Maron, Dina Fine; Scientific American, 6/8/2015) The current form’s check-box indicates more specifically than previously the manner of women’s deaths who were or may have been pregnant prior to their death (up to a year).  Not all states have adopted the use of this new death certificate, however, but this change in manner of recordation may have affected the numbers.

    According to Wallace, some physicians are of the opinion that pre-natal care of women who are pregnant in some cases is lacking. In the African-American community. According to CDC’s Dr. Creanga, frequently “mothers are younger, more likely to be unmarried and will not have begun pre-natal care until their third trimester of pregnancy or not at all.” (CNN, 12/1/2015)  Creanga noted that poverty and lack of insurance also play a part in whether young women get pre-natal care or not.

    Doctors across the country are focusing their attention on the contributing factors in this mortality rate increase. The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists’ Safe Mother Initiative is one result. Also the National Partnership of Maternal Safety is urging standardized care for pregnancy and childbirth complications so hospitals could follow standardized protocols for dealing with common issues that could cause the death of a mother or her offspring.

    1 “Why is the maternal mortality rate going up in the United States?” , Wallace, Kelly, CNN, December 1, 2015. http://www.us.cnn.com/2015/12/01/health/maternal-mortality-rate-u-s-increasing-why/index.html

    2  “Has Maternal Mortality Really Doubled in the U.S.?”, Maron, Dina Fine; Scientific American, June 8, 2015. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/has-maternal-mortality-really-doubled-in-the-u-s/