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

Poison Prevention Week: what can parents do?

Did you know that each year, more than 1.2 million children ages 5 and under are unintentionally poisoned? Whether it's medication on your dresser, cleaning supplies under your kitchen sink, cosmetics in your bathroom or carbon monoxide from gas appliances in your home, you can take simple steps to keep your kids safe.
Have you taken a look closely around your house lately? You might be very surprised to find items like medications that you have left out on the counter, microwave, bathroom cabinet and just not thought about it. Here at our house my kids are getting a little older and we have gotten more relaxed with poison prevention. So I did a survey and was shocked to see the stuff that I just had sitting here and there within child's reach.
When I showed some of our medications to my youngest daughter who is 8, she could not tell the difference in some pills and candy. This lead to a nice discussion about medications and candy look alikes.
Never keep medications out, always keep them in the child resistant containers labeled as they should be, and never call your medications "candy" even if you think you are just kidding around, your child thinks everything you say is true. 

Medication Safety Tips

From Safe Kids
Store medications out of your child’s sight and reach.

• Do not leave medicines in your purse, an unlocked kitchen or bathroom cabinet or a kitchen or bedside table.

• Read labels to find out what can be poisonous. Keep those things separate from toothpaste, soap and other things you use every day.

• Never leave medicines or potentially poisonous household products unattended while you are using them.

• Do not leave out loose pills.

• Buy child-resistant packages when available. 

Be safe when giving medicines to your children.

• Always read labels, follow directions and give medicines to children based on their weights and ages. 

• Avoid confusion by keeping all medicines and potentially poisonous household products in their original packages.

• Do not take medicine or vitamins in front of kids, or involve children as helpers with your medication.

• Tell grandparents and friends about avoiding medication poisoning when your family visits their homes.

Learn the toll-free nationwide poison control center number (1-800-222-1222), program it into all phones and keep it near every phone.

• If you suspect your child has been poisoned, take the product to the phone and call 1-800-222-1222. If your child has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911.

• Poison control centers offer fast, free, confidential help in English and Spanish. Most poisonings are resolved over the phone. The number works from anywhere in the United States 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Follow the operator’s instructions.

• Do not make the child vomit or give him anything unless directed. 

 Stay tuned, I'm not done yet.............

Scary statistics on Halloween~~ Boo!

Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for children, but our first-of-its kind Halloween report shows some scary statistics!

Please take time to read this report, it is shocking what Halloween dangers are out there, keep your kids safe please!!
http://www.safekids.org/our-work/research/reports/halloween-research-report.pdf

Top tips to keep your kids safe on Halloween from Safe Kids USA

For parents and children:

• Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.

• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.

• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don't run, across the street.

For drivers:

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

• Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day so you can spot children from greater distances.

• Remember that costumes can limit children's visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.

• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

Costumes and Treats

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colored costumes to improve visibility.

• Choose face paint and make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup.

• Avoid carrying sticks, swords, or other sharp objects.

• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers.

• Liquid in glow sticks is hazardous, so parents should remind children not to chew on or break them.

• Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded or torn, or if the candy is unwrapped.

More About Pedestrian Safety

• Pedestrian Safety Resources
• Halloween Research Report
• Halloween Safety Tip Sheet
• Photos Showing Safe Behavior 

Thank you for reading and keeping our kids safe!

Leslie Ernursescare editor