Summer time injuries and the ER

             
Summer time injuries that come into the Emergency Department can vary from very minor to horrible and traumatic. A mixture of the heat, late nights, holiday parties, alcohol, summer sports and the water/water sports can cause many different injuries in ages from very young all the way up to our elderly seniors. As an ER nurse I am amazed each summer with the trouble people can get themselves into. The poor choices they can make, the stupidness they can exhibit and how selfish parents can be sometimes when they choose to not watch their children. For pete's sake people use your brain some time, you do have one you know.

According to Colin Dircks, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at Piedmont Hospital in Georgia, three of the most common summer injuries are heat-related illness, head injuries and fireworks-related injuries.
“Heat cramps are common in the summer months and are caused by loss of sodium and other electrolytes. We see heat exhaustion and as heat illness progresses, you can develop nausea, headaches and even heat stroke,” says Dr. Dircks. With heat stroke, “the body core temperature elevates significantly – oftentimes more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.”
To avoid heat-related illnesses, Dr. Dircks recommends “staying hydrated and replacing lost sodium by drinking sports drinks.”
In addition to heat-related illness, head injuries also increase in warm weather months. “The most common activity during the summer months responsible for head injuries is bicycle accidents,” he says. “Water sports-related injuries are also very common and are responsible for almost 30,000 ER visits annually. It is very important if you have a pool that children are under supervision at all times. Be sure to minimize horse play in and around the pool.”
When it comes to fireworks-related injuries, “these are commonly burns, foreign bodies, or lacerations, predominately in the hands, fingers and eyes,” says Dr. Dircks.
And be cautious with so-called “safe” fireworks, especially around children. “People think of sparklers as ‘safe’ fireworks and often give them to kids,” says Dr. Dircks. “They burn at about 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and we see a lot of burns associated with them. They are responsible for as many ER visits as firecrackers.”

Stay tuned tomorrow for those dangers of fireworks

Tips for Fireworks Fears

Tips for fireworks fears!

by Parenting Coach-Alison Astair

Kids have various levels of fear when it comes to fireworks.

Some children’s fears are so extreme that they look like they’re going to have an anxiety attack! Then again, some fireworks are so loud that it really is uncomfortable.

If you have a child that is more on the extreme end, you may want to avoid being outside while you watch fireworks.  You can generally find a place close to where the fireworks are and sit in your car to watch.  You may have children that want to be outside and some that want to stay in the car.  It’s great to take turns with your partner for this.  It will show the child inside the car that a lot of people like them.

This may sound a bit extreme but you can use earmuffs!  OK, it’s summer and it’s July!  But you can go to a sporting goods store and get the earmuffs that are used for rifle practice.

One thing that’s very important is to not belittle your child for being afraid.  Just tell them, “Some kids don’t like fireworks and some do.”  This doesn’t make them feel bad about themselves or feel different.  Don’t try to talk them into it.  When they see so many people enjoying them, they eventually come around.  It may not be this year but it does happen!

If you have a child with a milder fear but really wants to watch, you could give them some tips ahead of time of what they can do.  You could say:

• “Some people like to cover their ears with their hands.”
• “You could tuck your face into mommy or daddy’s neck and just peek at the fireworks or you could close your eyes too.”
• “You could shout, “bang” if it makes a loud sound.”

When children know things that they can do, it gives them some control. Practice some of these things before the fireworks.  Make it fun!

One thing that you don’t want to do is go “overboard” in comforting your child.  What I mean is don’t draw so much attention to a child with milder fears.  Don’t tell everyone that “he’s afraid.” You don’t need to be reinforcing that! Of course you can hold them and provide physical comfort but the less you say the better.  Make your own comments out loud about the beautiful colors and wondering what color will come next.  Eventually the child that is covering their ears and hiding finally stops!
Give it time and have fun!

You can find more of Alison Astair on her website here at Help Me Alison
and her facebook fan page here you can also find her on Twitter @AlisonAstair 


~~Leslie~ 
your blogging safe mommy

Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day!!

A long weekend and celebrations should never end in tragedy, take a minute to remember these tips from the great people at "Safe Kids USA" before heading out for your festivities or family fun today.
http://www.safekids.org/have-a-safe-memorial-day-week.html


If you plan to be at the pool or on the beach over the holiday weekend, check out our water safety page for drowning prevention tips, and make sure to read: "Five Truths About Children Who Drown."
If you are planning a pool party, make sure to always have an adult serve as a water watcher. Print out the Water Watcher card.


Before you put the burgers on the grill, follow a few simple tips to avoid grilling injuries.
Make sure to also visit our fire, burn and scald prevention page for more tips.





Before letting your kids out the door to go play with friends, siblings and cousins, remind them about how to stay safe around traffic, on the playground and on their bikes.
Make sure to check out our sports and recreation safety tips, our pedestrian and driver safety tips for summer and our falls prevention tips.





Just another reminder to NEVER leave your child alone in a car even for a second. If you see someone's child or pet left alone in a car, call 911 immediately!

For related safety tip on kids in around cars, visit: "Car Seats, Boosters and Seat Belt Safety."


Thank you to Safe Kids for the above information on keeping our kids safe, happy and back home again after your holiday fun.

Leslie RN (ernursescare)

Safe Boating Week-May 22-28th (Safe Kids)

 Safe Boating Week (May 22-28) 

Hitting the waters is a great family activity during the summer months.  Whether it’s a power boat, a family canoe, or a walk on the dock, the risks are the same.  Anyone on or near the water without a life jacket is at risk for drowning in the event of an accident.  We want you and your family to be safe on the water this year, which is why we are celebrating Safe Boating Week.
If you are driving a boat this summer, we urge you to take a boating education course to refresh on safe boating practices.  Also, you can get a vessel safety check every year for free from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons.  For more information, visit www.uscgboating.org and click “get a free safety check.”  

Follow these simple tips to stay safe on the waters:

• Always have your children wear the right size and type life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while on boats or around open bodies of water or participating in water sports. The life jacket should fit snugly and not allow the child’s chin or ears to slip through the neck opening.

• Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults.

• Enroll your child in swimming lessons after age 4 – typically the earliest age when they are likely to practice and retain information. Teach children how to tread water, float and stay by the shore.

• Make sure kids swim only in areas designated for swimming.

• Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: they need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.

• Do not let kids operate personal water crafts such as jet skis. These are intended for adults and require special training.

• Teach children not to dive into oceans, lakes or rivers because you never know how deep the water is or what might be hidden under the surface of the water.

These wonderful tips and information came from the Safe Kids site Here

Play safe~~ Leslie