ALERT! Torch Fuels Are Dangerous Poisons

Last month, a toddler drank citronella torch oil while out camping with his family. A few hours later, he died at a local hospital. Last year, an 84-year-old woman died after a family member poured torch fuel into a glass. She drank it, thinking it was apple juice. An 8-year-old girl has permanent lung damage after making the same mistake.
Whatever you call it - torch fuel, tiki oil, bug lamps - fuel oil can be fatal if swallowed. Some people who drank it but didn't die were sick for prolonged periods of time. These products often look like apple juice, which is why it is easy to make a mistake. The liquid is the same color, the bottles are of similar heights, and the caps look alike. And, when poured out of their bottles, it's impossible to tell the difference. If swallowed, torch fuel can easily slide down into the lungs instead of going into the stomach. This causes pneumonia and also prevents the lungs from absorbing oxygen. Even small amounts in the lungs can be life-threatening or fatal. If you suspect that someone has swallowed, handled, or breathed in a poison, call the Poison Center right away. The 24-hour number is 1-800-222-1222. The experts that answer your call will tell you exactly what to do.

Back to School Physicals and Immunizations

Back to School Physicals and Immunizations are being offered at Olde Towne Medical Center in August for uninsured children ONLY! Appointments are required. Call 259-3258 for dates and cost.

Cribs for Kids/Safe Kids USA Partnership

Safe Kids USA is pleased to announce the beginning of a new partnership with Cribs for Kids® to collaborate in preventing unintentional childhood injury due to unsafe sleeping environments. Cribs for Kids® will offer their discounted sales rate for its cribs (Graco Pack n Plays) and Graco's child safety seats to all Safe Kids coalitions. Each participating coalition will receive a Safe Kids/Cribs for Kids® toolkit to implement a safe sleep program in their community. This kit will also include infant safety educational materials. More details about this exciting partnership will follow!

Asthma Walk 2009

American Lung Association’s Healthy Lungs & Air Walk on September 26 at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach for the Hampton Roads area.
There is also a Fight for Air Climb in Richmond on October 17th at the Richmond International Raceway.

Information/registration for both events is available at www.lungva.org.

Preventing Chronic Disease

The July issue of Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) is now available! Please visit our site at www.cdc.gov/pcd, where you will find downloadable articles and information on PCD.

Nutrition Information for children and teens

Substituting Water for Sugary Drinks Can Reduce Excess Calorie Consumption in Children and Teens

Almost 90 percent of U.S. children and adolescents consume sugar-sweetened beverages on any given day -- and according to a study published in the April 2009 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, replacing these sugary drinks with water could eliminate an average of 235 calories per day, effectively reducing excess-calorie intake, which contributes to childhood obesity and related health problems.
Lead author Y. Claire Wang says, "The evidence is now clear that replacing these 'liquid calories' with calorie-free beverage alternatives both at home and in schools represents a key strategy to eliminate excess calories and prevent childhood obesity."
Read the full article at:http://www.mailmanschool.org/news/display.asp?id=732

Asthma 101 facilatator training session

Become a certified Asthma 101 facilitator "The basics training". This is geared towards community members who provide education to parents, the public or provide training to programs working with children. For more information or to register contact cinch@evms.edu