SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Children Child safety concerns need to be reported ================================================================================ Courtesy of Coloradoan on 05/16/12 09:38:00 Courtesy of Coloradoan - My brother died 2-1/2 years ago and left behind two children (a 6-year-old biological daughter and an 11-year-old stepson). They live with his girlfriend (the mother of both children) in the Denver area. I’ve driven up every other weekend to get the children so they can spend the weekend with their cousins and other family members. She now rarely lets us have my nephew, and doesn’t let us have my niece as often as before. Lead Poisoning and Children ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/24/12 01:45:00 It has become known as the silent epidemic. Lead poisoning affects three to four million young children - one in six under age the age if six. What is more is that many parents are unaware that his or her child has lead poisoning unless the child is tested for it or until it is too late. Large amounts of lead in a child's blood can cause brain damage, mental retardation, behavior problems, anemia, liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, hyperactivity, developmental delays, other physical and mental problems, and in extreme cases, death. Where does lead come from? Have A Safe Visit on the Farm ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 02/01/12 02:26:00 Nearly 2 million kids work and live on farms in the United States, and as many as 22,000 are seriously injured and about 100 kids and teens die each year on farms. Although the majority of accidents happen to people who live on farms, a significant number of injuries or deaths have occurred to kids and teens who either work on or visit farms. Red Cross Tips Help Kids Stay Safe When Home Alone ================================================================================ Courtesy of RedCross.org on 08/16/11 09:30:00 As children around the nation are returning to school, many of them will be spending time home alone after school until their parents get home from work. The American Red Cross has steps parents and children can take to make these after-school hours safer and less stressful. “The first thing parents need to decide is if their child is old enough to stay home alone,” said Dr. David Markenson, chair of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and pediatric expert. “If not, other options include after-school child care, programs at schools and youth clubs, or enrolling the child in youth sports programs.” Mother of boy found dead in Dorchester releases statement ================================================================================ Courtesy of WHDH on 09/14/11 01:19:00 Dorchester was in shock and a mother mourned the loss of her 17-month-old son on Tuesday, a day after the boy was found dead in a school van outside of a daycare center. Driveway tragedy leads mom on crusade for safety ================================================================================ Courtesy of Desmoinesregister on 06/27/11 04:24:00 "We have the saddest database in America," said Janette Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org, a Kansas-based nonprofit that advocates for vehicle safety standards. Jack is everywhere in Karen and Pat Pauly's home. His books are neatly stacked in a basket in his bedroom. His clothes are hung up neatly in his closet. And his round face is on photographs, here dressed up as a cheeseburger for Halloween, there with his beloved golden retriever Henry. Portable Pools Pose Drowning Risk for Young Kids ================================================================================ Courtesy of Everydayhealth on 06/20/11 10:37:00 Portable swimming pools, including the increasingly popular, inflatable models, pose serious risks to young children, experts warn. In a new study, investigators at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, detail the drowning deaths of more than 200 children under 12 years old linked to a variety of above-ground pools, some large and deep, others small and shallow. "About every five days a child drowns in a portable pool in the U.S.," said lead researcher Dr. Gary A. Smith, director of the hospital's Center for Injury Research and Policy. Because these pools are inexpensive and easy to assemble, many parents may not consider them as big a risk as in-ground pools, he said. The greatest risks are for children younger than 5 years, the researchers found. Fire program puts focus on children's safety issues ================================================================================ Courtesy of Newsok on 06/18/11 02:36:00 Safety is foremost at the Edmond Fire Department Children's Safety Challenge, even when the parents come to retrieve their children from the injury prevention classes. Children weren't allowed to leave a recent class without an adult on a designated list who had a driver's license to prove his or her identity. The children, ages 4 to 7, learned when a stranger with a lollipop approaches them to run and tell someone they know. The two-day program also targets these risk areas: fire, burns, choking, suffocation, strangulation, poisoning, falls and firearms. It also stresses safety with motor vehicles and bicycles. Girl, 5, struck by lawn mower; dies ================================================================================ Courtesy of TVWood8 on 05/19/11 04:32:00 A 5-year-old girl died Tuesday evening after being hit and run over by a riding lawn mower operated by her father, according to the Kent County Sheriff's Department.The incident is considered "a tragic accident," Lt. Jeff McAlary said. The Kent County Medical Examiner's office ruled it accidental, as well. Jenna Ricord was playing in the yard when she was struck, deputies said, around 7 p.m. in the 17900 block of Marsh Creek Road, near 22 Mile, in Solon Township. The driver of the mower simply didn't see the girl, police said. It's unclear if the mower was moving forward or backward. The 5-year-old was pronounced dead on scene. Safety plan to keep your kids secure ================================================================================ Courtesy of OttawaCitizen on 05/06/11 03:48:00 OttawaCitizen - In the movie Home Alone, an eight-year-old boy single-handedly outsmarts wannabe crooks after his family accidentally leaves him alone at home for days. That's Hollywood. In real life, Regina Police Service spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich reminds parents that anyone under the age of 16 is considered a child. She says the ideal age to leave kids depends on their stage of development and ability to handle minor emergencies. Drug Safety Communication - Potential for Accidental Ingestion by Children ================================================================================ Courtesy of FDA on 12/14/10 11:32:00 Courtesy of FDA - FDA is warning the public that accidental ingestion of benzonatate by children under the age of 10 years can result in death from overdose. Overdose with benzonatate in children less than 2 years of age has been reported following accidental ingestion of as few as 1 or 2 capsules. ... Willow Smith's 'Whip My Hair': A Dance Safety Primer ================================================================================ Courtesy of Popeater.com on 11/01/10 06:42:00 You know that you've had Willow Smith's catchy hit 'Whip My Hair' stuck in your head. You've probably even caught yourself whipping your own hair to the beat. YouTube videos of kids mimicking Willow's moves have gone viral and swept the nation. But before we round up all the cute 9-year-olds we know and get them reenacting Willow's headbanging moves, we thought we'd check with a professional on the safety of this soon-to-be iconic dance. Dr. Terrence B. McGhee, a neurologist, was gracious enough to tell PopEater whether whipping one's hair back and forth could actually be a health hazard. Securing Children’s Car Seats ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/31/07 06:45:00 Many states require parents to put children under age 5, or under a certain weight or height, to be seated in a federally approved car seat. It appears, though, that many parents do not know how to install them properly. Third-hand Smoke Harms Kids Most ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/08/09 11:02:00 Third-hand smoke is something few people know about, but it is a very real thing and it poses serious health risks, especially to children, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. Child Seizures: A Terrifying Fear to Parents ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 01/04/09 04:31:00 The 16-year-old son of actor John Travolta and Kelly Preston was found dead in their vacation home in the Bahamas on Friday. He apparently suffered a seizure and hit his head on the bathtub as he fell. Protecting Your Children at Mall ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/13/04 08:55:00 Plan to go to the mall with no other aim than to teach your child mall safety as mall does not only have thieves bent on stealing your belongings but also has perverts determined to abduct and harm children. You can protect your children though. Are Toys Safer Now? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/08/08 08:37:00 This summer, the U.S. Congress passed a new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which increased consumer protections by setting stricter standards on content levels of toxic materials, such as lead and phthalates. Parents: Look for Lurking Hazards in Toy Aisle ================================================================================ Courtesy of iBerkshires.com, By Anthony Fyden on 12/02/04 07:05:00 PITTSFIELD Ñ Toys promise to bring laughter and learning into a child's life. But the wrong toy could bring tears and tragedy instead, according to a new report from the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group. Does Media Exposure Harm Kids? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/03/08 03:51:00 Kids who spend long hours watching TV, surfing the Internet and playing video games are likely to face a host of problems such as obesity, smoking, substance abuse and poor academic achievement, according to a new report from researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Yale University and the California Pacific Medical Center. FDA: Some Amounts of Melamine Are Safe ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/29/08 08:16:00 In a surprising turnaround, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reversed its statement in October that said any amount of exposure to melamine, no matter how small, is not safe for infants. Panel Criticizes Over-Use of Drugs in Kids ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/24/08 11:09:00 Doctors are prescribing potent antipsychotic drugs far too liberally for use in children age 12 or younger, said a panel of physicians advising the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The panel urged the FDA to ensure doctors receive more warning about the risks of using these drugs on younger children. Will Hard Times Increase Unsafe Toy Sales? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/16/08 11:03:00 With the economic downturn, people will be trying to stretch a tight holiday budget, and federal officials are worried budget-conscious parents may unwittingly buy unsafe toys. Is Your Child Taking Too Much Medication? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 11/05/08 11:38:00 More children and teens are using drugs and taking chronic medication, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics November issue. The researchers think this is largely due to the significant increase in obesity rate among kids in the United States. Is Your Child Getting Enough Vitamin D? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/14/08 02:33:00 Doctors used to say children need 200 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day to prevent rickets and soft bones. Now the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that the daily dose be doubled to 400 units of vitamin D and this is not only to increase bone strength but also to lower the risk for serious diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Cold Medicine Not For Children Under 4 ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/08/08 11:58:00 Labels in cough and cold medicines will soon contain warnings they are not to be given to children under 4 years of age. This was announced by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a trade group of over-the-counter medicine manufacturers. Infant Death Syndrome: Will Fans Help? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 10/07/08 09:37:00 A simple fan running in a baby’s bedroom may help lower the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Cancer Risk from Cell Phones Higher in Children ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/22/08 05:18:00 The risk for getting brain tumors is five times higher among young people who use cell phones, according to researchers at the University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden. FDA, Scientists Disagree on BPA Safety ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 09/16/08 07:56:00 In August, the FDA issued a draft report which concluded that bisphenol A (BPA) is safe for people at the current levels of daily exposure. Newborns Under Threat From Streptococcus ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/30/08 03:09:00 Up to 30 percent of women in the U.S. about to give birth are carrying a dangerous bacterium that could threaten the lives of their babies, but they are not aware of it. Are Vaccinations Safe? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/02/07 02:00:00 Millions of children will soon be returning to school to begin a new school year and with the new school year comes a requirement in many states that children be vaccinated against chicken pox. Is Measles Making A Comeback? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/25/08 10:47:00 An upsurge in measles outbreaks across 15 states has the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worried: it could mean measles is making a comeback in the country. Too Much Calories in Kids’ Fast-food Meals ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/05/08 01:22:00 Thirteen big-name fast-food restaurant chains offer at least 1,474 possible food choices for kids’ meals, which means there is a wide variety for kids to choose from; however, at least 93 percent of these exceed the recommended calorie content in a single meal. Drugs Proposed for Kids’ Cholesterol ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 07/07/08 06:44:00 High cholesterol level is a problem that exists not only in adults but also in children, reminds the nation’s pediatricians as they recommended that use of cholesterol-lowering drugs begin as early as age 8 in order to prevent heart problems in adulthood. Protect Your Child From Pedophiles ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/24/10 10:45:00 Pedophiles are still a persistent problem in our communities, says a national child-safety expert and founder of the Child Lures Prevention program that seeks to protect children from pedophiles, in a workshop to US Air Force servicemen in Japan. Lead Fears Trigger More Toy Recalls ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/25/07 01:55:00 Fears of overexposure of children to lead paint on various toys have led to an expanded recall program issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The four recall orders affect over 300,000 items, all of them made in China. Safe Haven Laws Protect Newborns ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/23/07 01:10:00 More unwanted newborn babies in Massachusetts are expected to be given the chance to live with families that want them, as the state’s 2004 Safe Haven Law, which would have expired this year, was signed and extended by the governor last week. There’s Lead in Your Kid’s Toys ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/10/07 06:10:00 Another company recalled its toy products containing lead paint. Mattel Inc. last week recalled 1.5 million toys sold by its Fisher-Price unit due to high levels of lead. Choose Baby Cribs Wisely ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 06/25/08 04:28:00 The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled approximately 320,000 cribs this week, following several reports of the slats or spindles getting broken, including 4 incidents where children actually got trapped. FDA to Review Safety of Pediatric Cold Medicines ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 08/17/07 04:55:00 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set an October review on how safe and effective are over-the-counter cough and cold products for use by children under 6 years old, in a notice posted August 15 on its Web site. More Child Drownings in Inflatable Pools ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 05/23/08 02:55:00 The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently reported an increase in the average number of drowning deaths among young children, and consumer advocates are linking this increase to inflatable pools which have minimal safety measures in place. Measles Outbreak Hits 7 States ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 05/01/08 06:54:00 In the highest level of incidence in 7 years, measles outbreaks have hit at least 7 states and cases have also been reported in 3 other states. Flu Plus MRSA: Deadly Combination? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/27/08 03:50:00 Two children died in Massachusetts, according to Friday news reports, from the flu which were linked to MRSA infections. Health officials, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are concerned there may be a surge of the potentially deadly combination. Is Mumps Making A Comeback? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/13/08 08:55:00 After years of very few reported incidences in the United States, mumps very suddenly made a comeback in 2006, according to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Does Bedroom TV Make for Unhealthy Habits? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/08/08 01:55:00 For many years, health professionals and child development experts have warned about American youngsters watching too much television and having too much easy access to a TV set. A recent study indicates, however, that parents don’t seem to be listening to this professional advice. Medication Mix-ups Hurt More Kids ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 04/06/08 07:50:00 More children, 1 out of 15 hospitalized kids, are harmed by accidental overdoses, medicine mix-ups and adverse reactions to drugs than originally believed. This finding is contained in the first scientific test of a new procedure to detect errors. Newborn Babies Also Child Abuse Victims ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 12/04/10 12:05:00 It may seem hard to believe, but a U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control study has found that approximately 1 in 50 (2.1 percent) infants (less than 1 year old) in the U.S. suffer from non-fatal child abuse or neglect every year, and close to a third of these infants are newborns. Are Baby Cosmetics Safe For Babies? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 02/07/08 08:35:00 A new study has warned against the use of baby lotions, shampoos and powders that may contain high levels of phthalates, chemicals that can affect testosterone production in male babies. Is Eating Snow Still Safe for Kids? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 03/05/08 09:50:00 One of the simple pleasures of childhood is eating snow. For some time, parents have warned kids to stay away from dirty snow (particularly yellow snow). Parents are now wondering whether it is still safe for kids to eat new-fallen snow. The reason? Snow contains large quantities of Pseudomonas syringae, a type of bacteria that causes diseases in tomato and bean plants. What Can We Do for Children of Alcoholics? ================================================================================ Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 02/13/08 08:05:00 One out of every four American children lives in an alcoholic household. It is a statistic enough to make you sober: that’s nearly 19 million children, living in an alcoholic environment. And despite what they may think, there is nothing they can do to stop the drinking. None of it is their fault, yet the devastating impact of alcoholism can last throughout their lifetimes.