Boost 'em in the Back Seat website

Are you in need of free, empirically supported, and easily accessible booster seat education materials? As a fellow child health professional, I wanted to let you know about our new nonprofit Boost 'em in the Back Seat website at http://www.boosterseats4safety.org. You may already be familiar with the 6-minute Boost 'em in the Back Seat video, which is available for free and easy download (or streaming, if you prefer) on the site. The video includes high-threat content that evokes a sense of vulnerability to motor vehicle hazards, as well as high-efficacy content that provides caregivers with the confidence and knowledge to protect one's family from motor vehicle risks. Evaluation research has shown the video-intervention to significantly increase child passenger safety knowledge, risk-reduction attitudes, perceptions of fear and efficacy, and observed booster seat use. Also on the website are free 30-second PSAs, downloadable resources, and parent education pages, all of which are available for use in your work to keep children safe.
Kelli England Will, Ph.D. and the rest of our team at EVMS

Safe Kids USA

Did you know that summer is trauma season? More kids are injured and killed due to unintentional injuries this time of year. We believe that all kids have a right to grow up safe, healthy and injury free. Preventing Injuries: at home, at play, and on the way. This website offers free information for parents, educators, media, and safety professionals. http://www.safekids.org/

New Report on State Secrecy and Child Deaths

On April 29, First Star and Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI) held a briefing on Capitol Hill to announce the release of their new report, State Secrecy and Child Deaths in the U.S. The report surveys all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine if each state has a policy for public disclosure of child deaths, if the state's policy is codified in statute, if there's ease of access to the information, the scope of information, and whether the state has open verses closed abuse/neglect proceedings. The report uses letter grades for each state from A to F based on these factors. Ten states received an F, 28 received a C+ or lower, and 6 states received an A or A-. For more information, visit www.firststar.org.

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

“On December 19, 2007, the President signed into law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (pdf), named after the daughter of Nancy Baker and the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James Baker. Graeme Baker died in a tragic incident in June 2002 after the suction from a spa drain entrapped her under the water.

The new law is aimed at reducing the 260 pool and spa drownings each year involving children younger than 5 and suction entrapment deaths and injuries, by making pools and spas safer, securing the environment around them, and educating consumers and industry on pool safety. For more information you can also go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/pssa.html

Neighborhood Safety Network

This is a project of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission called the "NSN Tool Kit." This electronic tool kit is a valuable resource from everything from fire safety, keeping older consumers safe to protecting children from an array of dangers around the home. They have a variety of publications, posters, checklists, and tools that can be downloaded for free and used to create a safety program in your neighborhood.
Keep your community safe, Start saving lives.

The NSN Tool Kit can be accessed at: www.cpsc.gov/nsn/nsn.html

Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 - Passed

The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007 was passed by the US Senate yesterday. It is expected that the President will sign the bill. The new legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to issue new safety standards within specific time periods that will lead to the installation of safety technologies as standard equipment in all vehicles to prevent deaths and injuries in and around motor vehicles. These safety technologies are already available as standard equipment, upgrades or optional equipment in many makes and models of vehicles. The bill addresses three of the most serious causes of preventable injuries and fatalities to young children in and around motor vehicles: getting caught in an automatically closing power window; being struck by a backing vehicle because of an unacceptable blindzone; and placing a vehicle in gear that results in an uncontroll ed roll away without having to depress the brake.
The bill also requires the US Department of Transportation to establish a database of noncrash incidents and develop a program to provide the public with safety information regarding nontraffic dangers to young children.

Teens' Reasons for Drinking May Predict Future Problems with Alcohol

A study from researchers at Penn State has identified four major reasons why high school students drink, and has found that those who drink for multiple reasons -- including trying to cope with life's problems -- are at greatest risk for heavy and problem drinking behaviors. "It is important to know why high school seniors drink so parents, teachers and high school counselors can pay special attention to the needs of the small but high-risk group of seniors who offer multiple reasons for drinking and who also have anger or frustration issues," said Donna Coffman, post-doctoral fellow at Penn State's Prevention Research Center and the Methodology Center. The study can be found in the December issue of Prevention Science.
Read the full article at:http://live.psu.edu/story/27677

Immigrant Children at Greater Risk for Lead Poisoning

A new health department study finds that children in New York City who have recently immigrated to the United States are five times as likely as U.S. native children to suffer from lead poisoning. "This study suggests that immigrant children are being exposed to lead in their home countries before they arrive in New York City," said Jessica Leighton, deputy commissioner of environmental health and co-author of the study. "We encourage all parents, especially parents who are recent immigrants, to be sure their children are tested for lead poisoning at ages one and two, as required by law." The study appears in the online edition of the American Journal of Public Health.
Read the full article at:http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2007/pr100-07.shtml

New CDC Study Finds Decline in Single-Victim School-Associated violent deaths.

Despite the recent occurrence of high-profile events, single-victim school associated violent death rates have declined, and multiple-victim rates have remained stable according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results show total and single-victim school associated student homicide rates decreased significantly (from .07 to .03) during the 14 year period from July 1, 1992 to June 30, 2006. However, the rates for total and single-victim student school associated homicides between July 1, 1999 and June 1, 2006 remained relatively stable.

While the quest for preventing the problem of targeted school violence is of critical importance, these findings show that schools remain safe places for students. In fact, the vast majority of children and youth homicides occur outside school hours and property.
For your information, a copy of the MMWR article and press release is attached. For more information on CDC's efforts to prevent youth violence please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/YVP/default.htm

Virginia Injury Update, Fire and Burn Related Injuries in Virginia, 2001-2005

The VDH, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention just released a new unintentional injury report titled, Virginia Injury Update, Fire and Burn Related Injuries in Virginia, 2001-2005.

Burns are one of the most devastating and painful injuries one can sustain. Burn injuries require long rehabilitation and physical therapy. One can sustain a burn injury through a number of different mechanisms: exposure to fire, hot liquids and objects, chemicals, electrical currents, and extreme cold. The Virginia Injury Update includes a five year review of fire and burn related deaths and hospitalizations in Virginia. It includes case studies, a breakdown of fire/flame and hot object/substance hospitalizations, and prevention tips. The report is available for viewing or download at www.vahealth.org/civp. Hard copies will be mailed to Injury Prevention Network members, Virginia Injury Community Planning Group members, healthcare providers, fire and life safety educators, community leaders, and other injury prevention stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth. If you would like a hard copy of the report or additional copies, please contact Jennifer Schmid by email at Jennifer.schmid@vdh.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 864-7746 to request a copy.

In addition, two new fact sheets are available for the general public. One is on Burn Prevention and the other is on Fire Safety Education. These are also available from our Web site at www.vahealth.org/civp.

New Study Looks at Bicycle Injury Toll beyond Emergency-Department Visits

BICYCLE SAFETY

New Study Looks at Bicycle Injury Toll beyond Emergency-Department Visits

The fact that bicycle-related injuries are one of the most common causes of childhood emergency-department visits is widely known -- but a new study looks deeper and finds cause for even more concern. Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital found that about 10,700 children are admitted to the hospital for bicycle-related injuries each year, resulting in almost $200 million in hospital inpatient costs. The study appears in the October issue of Injury Prevention.

Read the full article at:
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/gd/applications/
controller.cfm?page=204&id=431&type=new

New Public Fire & Life Safety Educator Level II Class Available - Expenses will be paid

ANNOUNCEMENT:

A NEW PUBLIC FIRE & LIFE SAFETY EDUCATOR, LEVEL II CLASS is NOW AVAILABLE. The FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY GRANT awarded to VFLSC this year will pay expenses for 50 PFLSE, Level I certified educators to become certified to Level II!!

Please go to this web page to obtain more information and to apply:
http://www.vflsc.org/PFLSE2-register.htm
and feel free to visit the VFLSC online at: www.vflsc.org

Also, please help spread the word ! We will be contacting all 1035, Level I certified folks to let them know.

CPSC Delivers the ABC's of Toy Safety

A recent press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on Toy Safety is below. Some good information to share....

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As gift-givers shop for that perfect toy this holiday season, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is emphasizing the importance of shopping safely. Knowing your ABC’s of toy safety will make for happy holidays: (A) awareness, and knowing the (B) benefits, for (C) consumers – (Awareness Benefits Consumers).

Awareness is not only knowing there is a CPSC and what the agency does to protect consumers but also being aware of what poses the greatest risks. The leading causes of toy-related fatalities include choking and aspiration of toy parts.

The increased scrutiny of toys and the CPSC has led to B, or benefits, to consumers. CPSC has increased the agency’s inspections of toys and is taking the action needed to remove violative products from the marketplace. More companies are testing their products and reporting possible safety problems.
The Chinese government has signed new agreements to conduct pre-export inspections to prevent lead painted toys and other unsafe toys from being exported to the U.S.
“CPSC recalled 61 toys involving more than 25 million product units in 2007, underscoring CPSC’s daily commitment to keeping consumers safe 365 days a year,” said Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord. “Toys today are undergoing more inspection and more intense scrutiny than ever before.”

Finally C, consumers should stay informed and be aware of recalls by signing up to receive direct e-mail notification of recalls at www.cpsc.gov. CPSC has launched a “Drive to 1 Million” to sign up at least 1 million consumers to receive this direct notification.

Consumers can also be more aware by shopping with CPSC's Top Safe Shopping Tips for this year:
•Ride-on Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.
•Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.
•Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
•Projectile Toys – Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.
•Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

To choose appropriate toys for children:
•Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.
•Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
•For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
Once the gifts are open:
•Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.
•Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.
•Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.

Cold Medicines Dangerous for Infants

Cold Medicines Dangerous for Infants

Dosing mistakes killed three, sent 1,500 to ER, CDC report finds.

For more information:

http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.asp?docID=600924

For information on treating colds in infants:
http://www.aap.org/patiented/coldsandyoungchild.htm

Kids in Cars - August Purple Ribbon Month

August is Purple Ribbon Month for reminding parents and caregivers on the dangers of leaving children unattended in and around vehicles.

Kids IN Cars' partner, 4RKidssake, heads up this incredible life saving technique. Hang a purple ribbon on a tree in your front yard, on your personal vehicle or even your work vehicle, on your mailbox and many other places. Wear a lapel pin every day of August and share our life saving message.

You will be amazed on how many people will ask you what the purple ribbon stands for.
What a great way to ensure the safety of our children nationwide.

So how do you get these ribbons? Simply reply to my email and provide an address.

Together we will save lives!

Becky Ball
Director of Virginia
Kids In Cars
703-304-1375
becky.ball@kidsincars.org
www.kidsincars.org

A Report on Injury Related Deaths and Hospitalizations Available

The Injury in Virginia 2005 – A Report on Injury Related Deaths and Hospitalizations report is now available from DIVP. Feel free to visit our Web site http://www.vahealth.org/civp/datacivp.asp to view or download a copy. To request a hard copy by mail, please contact Ms. Sharon Jones by phone at 804-864-7732 or by e-mail at Sharon.Jones@vdh.virginia.gov . IPN members who have their contact information on file with us will automatically receive a mailed copy.