Be Child Safe

Author: Marianne Halterman

  • The First Vehicular Heat Stroke of 2014

    Looking at recent (2010) statistics compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, provided by the Kids Count program, it is clear that accidental deaths occurring to children ages 1 – 14 are reducing in number–and are currently lower than in the ten years preceding 2010.  This is good news for kids, parents and for our Country.  But what does it mean for us that the numbers are still stunning–and that in certain states the numbers are proportionately higher? How do we keep kids safe in a world burgeoning with ever-increasing safety challenges?

    There is much we can do to keep our children safe and many efforts toward safety require simply focusing on the child and what a child is or is not able to do at a particular age or stage of development.  We want to make sure that children who can climb are nowhere near a TV that is placed on a stand which is not hooked to a wall; we make sure adult medicines are locked up, and that if we use button batteries for a hearing aid or wristwatch that they are not left where a young child can pick up and swallow them. We make sure kids are buckled up in the car and that their restraint seats are in good condition.  We make sure a baby who is beginning to roll over is in a proper crib with a safe mattress and away from a window or window blinds. There are many things we can do to keep children safe, the least of which is simply watching a child to make sure they don’t get into difficulty.  Staying focused on the child in our care seems to be the minimal we can do, but in reality checking on a child in our care makes a huge difference in whether our children survive well.

    This week the first death due to “vehicular heat stroke” for the year 2014 was sadly reported.  An infant child in San Jose’, California, was left in a car by a father who drove to work and forgot the child was in the car and that he was to have dropped the child at the babysitter’s on the way to work. There are no words to repair the sorrow these parents and family members must be experiencing.  There is no do-over for this circumstance… and the saddest thing is, that with all the distractions in our world today, this can happen to any parent, family member or caregiver of a child.

    Without launching on a treatise about distracted driving at this time, there is one simple thing a parent can do when a child is riding in the car and that is to place a stuffed animal in the front seat to remind the caregiver that there’s a child (maybe a child who does not yet speak) in the car… Train yourself, as a caregiver, to check the car before you shut the doors and windows and click the key fob… and walk away to the next thing–whatever that is, however important the next thing may seem, nothing is as important as the care of your child.  Child care means just that.

  • Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually

    (This article was originally published by the FDA in their Consumer Updates section)

    You’re at the beach, slathered in sunscreen. Your 5-month-old baby is there, too. Should you put sunscreen on her? Not usually, according to Hari Cheryl Sachs, M.D., a pediatrician at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    “The best approach is to keep infants under 6 months out of the sun,” Sachs says, “and to avoid exposure to the sun in the hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when ultraviolet (UV) rays are most intense.”

    Sunscreens are recommended for children and adults. What makes babies so different?

    “Babies’ skin is less mature compared to adults, and infants have a higher surface-area to body-weight ratio compared to older children and adults.” explains Sachs. “Both these factors mean that an infant’s exposure to the chemicals in sunscreens may be much greater, increasing the risk of side effects from the sunscreen.”

    “The best protection is to keep your baby in the shade, if possible,” Sachs says. “If there’s no natural shade, create your own with an umbrella or the canopy of the stroller.”

    “If there’s no way to keep an infant out of the sun, you should check with your pediatrician about what to do for your baby.” If your pediatrician agrees, you can apply a small amount of sunscreen—with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15—to small areas such as the cheeks and back of the hands. Sachs suggests testing your baby’s sensitivity to sunscreen by first trying a small amount on the inner wrist.

    Cover Up

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. Tight weaves are better than loose. Keep in mind that while baseball caps are cute, they don’t shade the neck and ears, sensitive areas for a baby.

    Summer’s heat presents other challenges for babies.

    “Younger infants also don’t sweat like we do”, Sachs says. “Sweat naturally cools the rest of us down when we’re hot, but babies haven’t yet fully developed that built-in heating-and-cooling system. So you want to make sure your baby doesn’t get overheated.”

    “In the heat, babies are also at greater risk of becoming dehydrated. To make sure they’re adequately hydrated, offer them their usual feeding of breast milk or formula”, says Sachs. “The water content in both will help keep them well hydrated. Providing water in between these feedings is also okay.”

    Sun Safety Tips for Infants

    Here are some things to keep in mind this summer when outside with infants:

    • Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible.
    • Consult your pediatrician before using any sunscreen on your baby. If you do use a small amount of sunscreen on your baby, don’t assume the child is well protected.
    • Make sure your child wears clothing that covers and protects sensitive skin. Use common sense; if you hold the fabric against your hand and it’s so sheer that you can see through it, it probably doesn’t offer enough protection.
    • Make sure your baby wears a hat that provides sufficient shade at all times.
    • Watch your baby carefully to make sure he or she doesn’t show warning signs of sunburn or dehydration. These include fussiness, redness and excessive crying.
    • Hydrate! Give your baby formula, breast milk, and offer water between feedings if you’re out in the sun for more than a few minutes. Don’t forget to use a cooler to store the liquids.
    • Take note of how much your baby is urinating. If it’s less than usual, it may be a sign of dehydration, and that more fluids are needed until the flow is back to normal.
    • Avoid combination sunscreens containing insect repellants like DEET. Young children may lick their hands or put them in their mouths. According to the AAP, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old.
    • If you do notice your baby is becoming sunburned, get out of the sun right away and apply cold compresses to the affected areas.

  • Baby Trend Car Seats Recalled – Buckle May Be Difficult to Unlatch

    Report Receipt Date: APR 01, 2014

    NHTSA Campaign Number: 14C002000

    Recall Summary

    Baby Trend, Inc. (Baby Trend) is recalling certain model year 2011 and 2012 TrendZ Fastback 3-in-1 child restraints, models FB60070 (Granite) and FB60408 (Jellybean), manufactured between October 2011 and July 2013. The defect involves difficulty in unlatching the harness buckle. In some cases, the buckle becomes stuck in a latched condition so that it cannot be opened by depressing the buckle’s release button.

    Hazard: It may be difficult to remove the child from the restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an emergency in which a prompt exit from the vehicle is required.

    Remedy: Baby Trend will notify registered owners and will provide replacement buckles when they become available. The manufacturer has not yet provided the agency with a notification schedule or buckle availability schedule. Owners may contact Baby Trend at 1-800-328-7363 or visit their website at www.babytrend.com.

    Potential Number of Units Affected: 16,655

    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.

  • Wal-Mart Recalls Dolls Due to Burn Hazard

    Recall Date: March 25, 2014

    Recall Number: 14-140

    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: My Sweet Love / My Sweet Baby Cuddle Care Baby Doll

    Hazard: The circuit board in the chest of the doll can overheat, causing the surface of the doll to get hot, posing a burn hazard to the consumer.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumer Contact: Wal-Mart Stores at (800) 925-6278 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT on Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT on Sunday, or online at www.walmart.com and click on Product Recalls for more information.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Wal-Mart-Recalls-Dolls/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 174,000

    Description: The My Sweet Love / My Sweet Baby electronic baby doll comes in pink floral clothing and matching knit hat. The 16 inch doll is packaged with a toy medical check-up kit including a stethoscope, feeding spoon, thermometer and syringe. The doll’s electronics cause her to babble when she gets “sick,” her cheeks turn red and she starts coughing. Using the medical kit pieces cause the symptoms to stop. “My Sweet Baby” is printed on the front of the clear plastic and cardboard packaging. The doll is identified by UPC 6-04576-16800-5 and a date code which begins with WM. The date code is printed on the stuffed article label sewn into the bottom of the doll.

    Incidents/Injuries: Wal-Mart has received 12 reports of incidents, including two reports of burns or blisters to the thumb.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the dolls from children, remove the batteries and return the doll to any Walmart store for a full refund.

    Sold exclusively at: Walmart stores nationwide from August 2012 through March 2014 for $20.

    Importer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Ark.

    Manufacturer: Tak Ngai Electronic Toys Co., LTD

    Manufactured in: China

  • Ganz Recalls Grumpy Cat Stuffed Animal Toys Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: March 19, 2014

    Recall Number: 14-135

    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:  Three styles of Plush Grumpy Cat stuffed animal toys.

    Hazard: The stuffed animals’ eyes can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy:  Replace

    Consumer Contact:  Ganz at (800) 724-5902 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday or online at www.Ganz.com and click on Recall Info for more information.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Ganz-Recalls-Grumpy-Cat-Stuffed-Animal-Toys/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 8,200

    Description: This recall involves three styles of plush Grumpy Cat stuffed animal toys by Ganz. They include an 8-inch Grumpy Cat in laying position, a 5-inch long sitting Grumpy Cat and a 4-inch Grumpy Cat key clip. The toys are multi-colored in white with dark brown, light brown and gray fur material. Grumpy Cat toys have blue crystal eyes with the eye lids half closed, a down-turned mouth and white whiskers. This toy is labeled for ages 3 and older. The Grumpy Cat key chain has a black plastic key clip at the top of the cat’s head. The recalled toys have batch numbers 86754 or 224861, and model numbers printed on the sewn-in label located near the tail of the cat.

    The recalled toys model and batch numbers are:

    [ultimatetables 5 /]

    Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received six reports of the eyes detaching from the Grumpy Cat toys.  No injuries have been reported.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact Ganz for a free replacement Grumpy Cat product of equivalent value or a full refund.

    Sold at: Gift, drug and toy stores including hospitals, museums and gift shops nationwide from December 2013 through January 2014 for about $8 to $10.

    Manufacturer:  Ganz USA LLC, Marietta, Ga.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Vera Bradley Recalls Bear Ring Rattles and Bunny Toys Due to Choking Hazard

    Recall Date: March 19, 2014

    Recall Number: 14-132

    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: Vera Bradley Bear Ring Rattles and Bunny Stuffed Toys

    Hazard: The pom-pom tail can detach from the body of the bear rattle and the bunny, posing a choking hazard to young children.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumer Contact: Vera Bradley toll-free at (888) 855-8372 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 8:30 am to 5 pm ET Saturday and Sunday or online at www.verabradley.com and click on Product Recall for more information.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Vera-Bradley-Recalls-Bear-Ring-Rattles-and-Bunny-Toys/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 98,000

    Description: This recall involves all Vera Bradley Bear Ring Rattles and Bunny stuffed animal toys.  The products are made of cotton and fleece.  The bear ring rattle has a white teddy bear head, arms attached to an O-shaped body with a green, blue, brown and pink crisscross pattern design rattle. The bear ring rattle measures about 4.25 inches in diameter. The bunny is 10 inches tall from the top of its head to the bottom of its foot and was sold in three printed patterns. The “Bunny in Lilli Bell” has green vines with pink and orange flowers on the body, limbs and the back of the ears. The “Bunny in Lola” has a crisscross geometric pattern on the arms, legs and ears of the white headed bunny with a floral print body. The “Bunny in Tutti Frutti” has a green with a pink and yellow floral printed pattern fabric covering whole body. All of the recalled rattles and bunnies have a white pom-pom tail on the back of the item. The name Vera Bradley is marked on a tag attached to each item along with the following serial numbers:

    [ultimatetables 4 /]

    Incidents/Injuries: Vera Bradley has received two reports that the pom-pom tail detached from the product.  No injuries have been reported.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately take them away from young children and stop using these recalled products and return them to Vera Bradley for a full refund.

    Sold at: Vera Bradley retail stores, department stores and specialty gift shops and online at www.verabradley.com and other online stores from September 2012 to January 2014 for between $12 and $19.

    Manufacturer: Vera Bradley Designs Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Design Ideas Recalls Magnets Due to Risk of Ingestion

    Recall Date: March 5, 2014

    Recall Number: 14-126

    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: Design Ideas and Neatlife Rubber Ducky Magnets, and Design Ideas Blowfish and Splat Magnets

    Hazard: The small magnets can easily detach from the product. If swallowed, magnets can link together inside a child’s intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death. Internal injury from magnets can pose serious lifelong health effects.

    Remedy: Refund

    Consumer Contact: Design Ideas at (800) 426-6394 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at and www.designideas.net  and click on  “Safety Notices and Patents” for more information.

    Photos available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2014/Design-Ideas-Recalls-Magnets/

    Recall Details

    Units: About 21,700 Rubber Ducky Magnets, 3,200 Blowfish Magnets and 2,000 Splat Magnets

    Description: This recall involves miniature office and refrigerator magnets sold in the shape of a duck, blowfish and a splat. A small magnet is affixed to the underside of the brightly colored plastic objects which were sold in sets of four or six. Model number 3205121 (duck), 993205114 (duck), 3205122 (blowfish) or 3205078 (splat) is printed on the bottom of the packaging.  “Magnets” and the Design Idea’s logo are printed on the front of the package.

    Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

    Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled magnets, place them out of reach of children and contact Design Ideas for a refund.

    Sold by: Rubber ducky magnets were sold at Nordstrom’s Rack stores, novelty and gift stores, book stores and art stores nationwide from March 2007 through September 2013 for about $10. Blowfish magnets were sold at novelty and gift stores, book stores and art stores nationwide from March 2007 through March 2011 for about $10. Splat magnets were sold at CB2 stores, novelty and gift stores, office supply stores and art stores nationwide from November 2012 to February 2014 for about $10.

    Distributor: Design Ideas Ltd., of Springfield, Ill.

    Manufactured in: China

  • Measles a.k.a. Rubeola – What are they?! Why should parents be concerned?

    In 1963, a vaccine against Measles (Rubeola), Mumps and Rubella (German Measles), the MMR vaccine, was developed and finally made available through physicians to the general public.  This was a great day in medical science for all, especially children, parents and prospective parents. For hundreds of years, Rubeola, the “regular” measles had been a devastating, infectious scourge to populations, especially children. The MMR vaccine is responsible for practically eradicating the disease in the U.S.

    Unfortunately, the Measles virus (Rubeola) still is a serious contagious virus that can occur and be fatal–but now, perhaps only 2 in 1,000 individuals who contract measles may die (according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Prior to 1963, the disease could kill up to 500 children in a year. The measles virus also can cause early labor, miscarriage in women who are pregnant, and low birth weight in infants whose mothers contracted measles.

    The measles virus thrives in the mucosal lining of the nose, mouth, throat and lungs, and can be spread by transmitting droplets of body fluids in the air through coughing, expectorating (saliva), sneezing, and tears.  Measles can be present in an infected individual–without symptoms showing for several (3 to 5) days. And a person can be considered contagious even 5 days following the disappearance of symptoms.

    It is important for parents to note that no medicine currently exists that can kill the measles virus once a person has developed measles. But measles can be prevented by being inoculated with the MMR vaccine.  Common symptoms of measles that parents and family members need to know are:

    • Fever – Can be mild to high and often occurs prior to appearance of skin rash and may subside following the presence of rash;
    • Blotchy reddish-brown skin rash that usually becomes visible within 4 to 5 days following infection; can show up on the face, hairline, neck, chest, torso, arms, legs and feet; may be accompanied by swollen glands (lymph nodes);
    • Dry-sounding cough;
    • Muscle aches, pains and fatigue;
    • Runny nose and nasal congestion;
    • Mouth sores – Can appear as white patches with bluish centers on the lining of the mouth and throat;
    • Inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, conjunctivitis (“Pink Eye”), red, swollen and itchy, watery eyes that may emit mucus; and
    • Sensitivity to light (photophobia) – Rest in a darkened room may help alleviate the pain due to light sensitivity.

    As of February 14, 2014, 20 new cases of the highly contagious measles virus occurring in the United States have been reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  While measles seems to have been all but eliminated in the U.S., there continue to be outbreaks in other countries, and travelers can and have brought the disease into the U.S. Measles can occur in populations where children and others have not been vaccinated or exposed to this highly contagious virus.  People are still at risk for getting measles unless they were born before 1957 when the disease was widespread in the U.S., or they have previously had measles, or they have received at least 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.

    If you think your child may have been exposed to or already have the measles virus, please contact your children’s primary care provider or pediatrician as soon as possible to learn what you need to do in order to care for your child and at the same time prevent the spread of measles in your family and community.

  • Making Play Safe for Kids

    On February 26, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. the president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide, Kate Carr, joins a discussion on Making Play Safe for Kids, hosted by the Arthur Blank Foundation and moderated by Sanjay Gupta, MD.

    To listen to this event sign up at:   http://blankfoundation.org/play-safe

  • Another Chapter in the Buckyballs Debate…

    “The safety commission and consumer advocates maintain that the ban is warranted because rare-earth magnets are irresistible to children, even if the packaging says the toys are intended for adults. ” – The New York Times’ article by Andrew Martin of August 16, 2012.

    Buckyballs VS. The Consumer Product Safety Commission

    A video from the U. S. Chamber of Commerce