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Seasonal Safety

Summer is full of opportunity and adventure for kids who like the outdoors. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are exciting and many kids can’t wait to get off-road and try them out. Although these vehicles may seem like a fun summer activity, they can lead to some serious – even fatal – injuries, especially if you don’t follow ATV safety rules and regulations. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under 16 not ride ATVs at all. They say this age group lacks the necessary physical strength, coordination, and judgment to drive an ATV safely in all situations and conditions. Still, despite the risks, many kids are legally able to ride ATVs. Each state has different guidelines and laws about age requirements, many of which allow children under 16 to ride ATVs. But before you let your kiddos hop onto an ATV, know the risks and follow these […]

For so many, dogs are our best friends and trusted companions. Despite how warm and loving they can be, all breeds of dogs are capable of biting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States, and more than half of those bites happen at home with a familiar dog. Of those who endure dog bites, more than half are children under the age of 14 and nearly a million require medical attention. Most dogs won’t bite without a reason. A family dog may bite when a new baby is brought home or a child plays too roughly, teases, or startles the dog. A dog you don’t know may bite when approached without taking the proper precautions. Knowing how to prevent dog bites will help keep your family safer this summer — and beyond. […]

Hurricanes can be pretty scary events – for grown-ups and kids alike. From a developmental standpoint, we know that children learn how to respond to situations based on the behaviors and attitudes of those around them. So here are some tips to help them – and you – be ready this hurricane season. Talk about hurricanes. Kids might be confused about what a hurricane is, so use simple age-appropriate descriptions of what they might expect if one is coming your way. For a younger child, you might say, “A hurricane is a tropical storm with very strong winds and lots of rain, lightning and thunder.” It’s also important to stress to kids that grown-ups will do their best to keep them safe. Try to remain calm yourself. Kids are sponges and can easily sense the emotions of those around them. When a parent seems overly upset or worried, this may […]

Picnics and BBQs are a fantastic time for family and friends to get together. And the food is one of the best parts, right? But foodborne illness (often called food poisoning) can strike when you least expect it — and can be very dangerous. Foodborne illness comes from contaminated food or liquids. The most common foods or beverages that spoil easily are: raw or undercooked poultry, eggs, seafood, beef and pork milk untreated water fresh fruits and vegetables — especially if not washed correctly salads — pasta, egg, potato salad, etc. unpasteurized ciders, milk and cheese Who’s Most at Risk for Food Poisoning? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that there are 48 million cases of foodborne illness each year. The people affected are both healthy and unwell (i.e., they have other chronic conditions). However, those with compromised immune systems are more highly susceptible to foodborne illness. For example, […]

It’s that time of year again, when kids are (hopefully) outside more than inside. With the warmer weather comes concerns about ticks and Lyme disease. Here’s some information to help you decipher what’s true and false as your family enjoys the great outdoors. Fiction: Lyme disease comes from ticks, so it’s a problem all over the country. Fact: Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which live in certain mammals such as mice, chipmunks and deer. Ticks bite these animals, and then carry the bacteria to humans. Most of the disease is seen in these 13 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. Your chance of getting Lyme disease in a state other than these is low. Fiction: If I notice a tick on my child, it has probably already transferred Lyme disease to my child. Fact: Actually, ticks […]

As the days get longer and warmer, kids will naturally be spending more time outside — many of them on bicycles. Before they ride off, though, take the time to make sure your kids are riding safely and smartly. Dress for Safety Before your kids even leave the house, they should be dressed to ride. The Clothes Dressing for safe bike riding means children should: Most importantly, wear a helmet. Wear brightly-colored clothing so that other vehicles and pedestrians can easily see them coming. Avoid wearing loose clothing that can get caught in the pedals or chains. The Shoes Kids should wear shoes: with grips (like sneakers) with tightly tied laces. If laces are really long, they should be tucked into the shoe so they don’t get caught on the bike that can be snugly fastened on their feet — no flip-flops or slide-on shoes that could fall off or […]