Julynewsletter

Heat Safety for Children

Summer promises plenty of outside activities for all of us, yet many do not know that too much of a good thing can create problems for children. Children, like adults, can easily become dehydrated when exposed to direct sunlight and their ability to sweat is much less than adults.

Overheated children can experience various degrees of symptoms some of which can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Heat cramps occur when there is a decrease of blood circulating in the muscles (often leg muscles) and can be relieved by stretching, massaging the muscles, and by stopping to rest.

Heat Exhaustion occurs when the child has an increased core body temperature of up to 104º with excessive fluid loss. Left untreated, this can lead to vomiting, confusion, and fainting. Treatment consists of: replacement of fluids, rest, and cooling the body by fanning the individual in a shaded area to bring down the body temperature.

Heat Stroke is a true life-threatening emergency in which the body’s core temperature can elevate to extreme temperatures (up to 107º) and if not treated, could lead to seizures and coma. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should be taken to the

emergency room immediately for medical management.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to:

1. Provide at least 8oz of fluid every 30 minutes for a 90-lb child.

2. Avoid exposure to the outdoors when the temperature is excessive or to have regular breaks to cool down and take in fluids.

3. Dress children in light-weight clothing that affords freedom of movement and permits children to sweat.

4. Children who have a medical condition should be advised by their doctor as to how much sun exposure the child can reasonably do and what steps the parents should take to ensure the child’s safety during the outdoor activity or event.

Susan Ruiz, Chair

Kids Be Aware, Inc.

http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/articledetail.cfm?id=647

http://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/at-play/pages/Sun-Safety.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-

KIDS BE AWARE, INC.July 2012

Volume 1, Issue 4

Our Mission and Vision

To increase disease awareness among

children and parents; To promote healthy

behaviors, reduce the spread of infections, and to reduce health-related issues in our

nation’s children.

Table of Contents

CEO’s Corner ...............2

Highlights .........................2

Featured Articles:

Healthy Recipes..............3

Water Safety...................4

First Aid Kits in Home..5

Summer Safety

CEO’s Corner...

encouraging and I hope to be back there educating children and parents very soon.

There are two Churches in Medford, MA that are looking to have Kids Be Aware conduct multiple workshops this summer. Hence, it looks as I will be very busy this summer.

Please review our children activities, events and videos and provide us with your suggestions.

Thank you for letting us be your prime choice for disease education in the community

Cheers and Peace to You!

Jeannette

Thank you for being part of the Kids Be Aware Program and encouraging our activities as we visit your organizations, schools or Churches. Nothing gives me more joy than to educate the community about healthy living and prevent diseases.

Thank you for letting me and my wonderful board of directors and members educate your children and yourselves about infectious and chronic diseases.

You may have noticed that we haven’t conducted any asthma, cancer or diabetes walks but be reassured that this will be changed in the upcoming months. Bear with us as we find the best ways to promote our program in the community. Here are a few last minute ideas that just came in or I forgot about and couldn't bear not to share!

This month, we spoke to the Mayor of Malden as we all know he is a very busy man but he did promise to get back to me with another point of contact as we eagerly work in getting our program into the school system. We are also still awaiting the 501(c)3 approval from the IRS. We have our fingers cross and we hope to get something from them very soon. In the next upcoming months precisely August 25, we are hosting a health conference and we are expecting not only the opportunity to have all of our board members there but also the chance to connect with members of the community of Malden, MA in particular.

On June 23, I was asked to conduct a workshop at the Greater Victory Temple Church in Mattapan, MA. I had the chance to work with 10 children and 10 parents. The surveys I received at the end of the workshop were very

Facilitator Training

We are seeking NEW Enrollment!

We are seeking Volunteers for various roles.

Contact Us

and Volunteer!

“We strive to partner with schools, churches, and organizations to focus on the health and well-being of our children”

KIDS BE AWARE, INC.

Parking is available for the event!

For further information:

Email:[email protected]

OR VISIT US AT

http://www.kidsbeaware.orgAND ollow us on Facebook

http:www.facebook.com/kidsbeaware

Monthly Highlights

KIDS BE AWARE HEALTH CONFERENCE

AUGUST 25TH Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 18 DARTMOUTH ST.

MALDEN, MA 02148 p.m.

Healthy RecipesSun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Serves 10 +/-½ Red/Green and Yellow Bell Pepper½ medium sweet yellow onion or 3 green onions 1 16oz package of mushrooms 1 # cooked boneless chicken pieces, sausage and/or shrimp 2 cloves garlic2 jars Sun Dried Tomato Pesto½ Qt Heavy Cream1 cup Parmesan Cheese1 16 oz box cooked/drained pasta (Penne/Spiral or Bowties)Sauté peppers and onions until soft, add garlic cook 1 minute.

Add Pesto and cook until just before burning –stirring periodicallyAdd Meat(s) and stirAdd heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat.Stir in CheesePour over cooked pasta and TossServe with Salad/Tuscan Italian Dressing and Toasted Garlic Bread sticks or Texas Toast

Once can purchase low fat cheese as well as half and half at a reduced amount without losing the integrity of the dish. It is good hot, without meat as a side dish or even room temperature.

Enjoy!Chef Tiffany

IDEAS FOR GREAT SNACKS

Here are a few nice links that have great ideas for good snacks.http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/after-school-snacks-photo-gallery-872859/view-all/http://recipes.kaboose.com/cooking-with-kids.html

NUT-FREE GRANOLA

Many people have nut allergies and can't en-joy simple things because so many products share manufacturers and still pose a health threat. Here's a link to a nut-free granolahttp://recipes.kaboose.com/cooking-with-kids.html I love granola as a snack or in place of cereal....it's just SO MUCH BETTER! You can get so creative with it. Get online to search and send your tastebuds on an explora-tion!

FROZEN TREETSAnother tip is to purchase 1 cantaloupe, 1

honeydew melon and 1 water melon. Remove the rinds and cut into medium chunks. Store in large Rub-bermaid type containers and you have fruit on hand for a week.

My kids have really gone overboard with freezing fruits. Our new favorites are FROZEN grapes, cherries and blue-berries. I've even done raspberries. You never have to worry with fruit going bad and it's a nice treat in the heat. Just remove the vines/stems. Rinse and place in a bowl or Ziploc in the freezer... then be patient. Makes great addi-tion to smoothies too.

Chef TiffanyConsider It Done! Personal Chef Service, L.L.C.

KIDS BE AWARE, INC.

“How Clean is Your Pool?”Renee Sullivan, M.A., CCLC

Memorial Day officially kicks off the summer season. As temperatures begin to rise, days get longer and schools wind down for the term, thoughts turn to outdoor activities and fun in the sun. One of the best ways to cool off from the summer heat is to go swimming but there are some safety issues that you need to be aware of before you jump into the water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2012) warn against Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) that can arise from swallowing or breathing in contaminated water from lakes, streams, pools, hot tubs and even the ocean. Diseases can include a variety of infections to include ear, eye, gastrointestinal, respiratory and wound infections. Bacteria, such as E. coli and Crypto found in contaminated water, can cause severe diarrhea.

Ever noticed how most public pools require one to shower off before entering the water? Nobody likes to be sick, especially during the summer when there are so many fun activities to experience. To keep your family safe, remind them that bacteria in public swimming areas can come from urine and feces in the water (CDC, 2012). Before entering the water, make sure you rinse off as the average person has about .14 grams of feces on their bottoms can contaminate the swimming water and, if swallowed, can make one very sick. A quick shower can make a difference! Teach your children to get out of the pool and go to the restroom when needed instead of going in the hot tub, pool, lake, ocean or other bodies of water.

Other safety precautions to prevent illnesses include frequently checking chlorine levels in pools and hot tubs to ensure the right mixture. Improper chemical levels in hot tubs can lead to “hot tub rash” and respiratory problems because the high temperature of the water makes it hard to maintain the appropriate chemical level needed to kill germs (CDC, 2012). Since we cannot control the containments in open water such as lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans, the CDC (2012) cautions against swallowing the water and also avoiding swimming after rainfalls and in areas deemed unsafe by health departments.

One of the most common problems for children who swim is “swimmers ear,” or an infection in the ear canal that runs through to the head (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010). Although physician’s often treat 40% of those with swimmers ear with oral antibiotics, a 2006 study indicated that antibiotic eardrops was much more effective (Mann, 2007). If you or your child develops swimmers ear, make sure you ask your physician about antibiotic eardrops in lieu of oral antibiotics.

Do yourself and your children a favor by taking and teaching them to take some minor preventative precautions to reduce the chance of contracting a water-borne illness this summer. Remember, swimming is not only good exercise; it is also fun so get outside during the hot summer weather and enjoy a nice, safe swim!

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Recreational water illnesses. Retrieved on May 25, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/.Mann, D. (2007). Beware of recreational water illnesses. Retrieved on May 25, 2012 from http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/beware-of-recreational-water-illnesses.Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010). Swimmer’s ear. Retrieved on May 25, 2012 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swimmers-ear/DS00473/DSECTION=symptoms.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CPR and Safety Classes in the Boston Area http://www.bostoncentral.com/heralthcare/cpr_safety.php

Northeast CPR 800-490-9622

American Red Cross (Boston) 617-375-0700

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates 617-654-7280

Medic One 617-347-0366

Pregnancy and Beyond 617-232-1101

St. Margaret’s at Caritas St. Elizabeth 617-562-7095

WATER SAFETY

KIDS BE AWARE, INC.

Providing Safe Drinking Water for Your FamilyKNOW YOUR WATER SOURCE •Find out if the pipes in your home or apartment building are made of lead or

contain lead solder.

•Send tap water samples to your local EPA-certified laboratory for testing, or buy a water test kit.

•If your water is supplied by a public system:

◦Ask your supplier what chemicals and parasites are tested for and how the water is treated.

◦Obtain a Consumer Confidence Report on your water quality from your public water authority.

•If your water supply is a private well: ◦Test your water yearly for pesticides, metals, coliform bacteria and other possible contaminants.

◦Avoid using pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals near your well's

supply source as they can pollute your groundwater.

IMPROVE YOUR WATER SUPPLY

•Install water treatment filters or conditioning systems.

◦Several types are available, depending on what contaminants are pre-sent.

•Consider buying a water distiller.

•Flush your pipes by running cold water for at least one minute.

•Do not use hot water from the tap for cooking or drinking, as toxins are more likely to leach into hot water.

•Make sure formula is prepared with safe water since boiling increases the lead concentration. Infants are at particular risk of lead poisoning because of the larger amount of water they consume relative to their body size.

•If necessary, install shower/faucet filters since babies can swallow water when bathing.

•Immediately dispose of household chemicals like batteries, fluorescent bulbs, used motor oil, etc., at your municipal hazardous waste depot. (Do not leave them around your home where they may contaminate your water supply.)

BOTTLE WATER

•Read the label of your bottled water. "Spring" water comes from one or more underground sources and some bottled water may come from a "municipal source" or from a "community water system," and may have had additional treatment.

•Avoid plastic bottles with the following recycling codes #1 PET, #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 Polycarbonate, which may leak suspected carcinogens and hormone disruptors.

•Look for safer plastic bottles, such as #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP.

Reference

Healthy Child Healthy World (2012). Providing safe drinking for your family: Know your water source. Re-trieved on May 28, 2012 from, http://www.healthychild.org/live-healthy/checklist/providing_safe_drinking_water_for_your_family/#ixzz1sbN9gsgz

Welcome to summer

Kids are out of school, outdoor activities have increased and it’s time to think about summer safety. To ensure a safe and enjoy-able summer, a first-aid kit should be available in the home, car, on vacations, and near water activities. First aid kits can be purchased from the Red Cross, local hardware stores or parents can make their own. First-aid Kits should be well stocked, as-sessable, and checked regularly. The container should be roomy, durable, easy to carry, and simple to open. A plastic tackle box or container with a handle can be used to make a first-aid kit for the home. Medications should be checked periodically for expi-ration dates; flashlight batteries should be checked and replaced when needed. It is VERY important to keep the kit locked!

Items to consider may include:

•adhesive bandages in several sizes•elastic bandage•a splint•antiseptic wipes•soap•antibiotic ointment•antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)•hydrocortisone cream (1%)•acetaminophen and ibuprofen•extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)•tweezers•sharp scissors•safety pins•disposable instant cold packs•calamine lotion•alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol•thermometer•tooth preservation kit•plastic non-latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)•flashlight and extra batteries•a blanket•mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)•your list of emergency phone numbers•blanket (stored nearby)

References:

The Nemours Foundation (1995-2012). First Aid Kit. Retrieved on May 27, 2012 from,

http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/firstaid_kit.html

FieldText Medical (2011). E-First Aid Supplies. Retrieved on May 27, 2012 from, https://www.e-firstaidsupplies.com/first-aid-kits.html?gclid=CL7Qqu21nLACFUHDtgodPxiXZg

First Aid Products (2012). Retrieved on May 27, 2012 from, http://www.first-aid-product.com/industrial/pool-and-lifeguard-first-aid-kit.htm?gclid=CPOH4qjInLACFUHDtgodPxiXZg

Poison Control Phone Number 1-800-222-1222

Summer Safety

KIDS BE AWARE, INC.

We are on the Web!

Visit us at: www.kidsbeaware.org

We are also on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/kidsbeaware

KIDS BE AWARE, INC.

KBA Board Members

Jeannette Bryant CEO [email protected] 781-535-2448

Susan Ruiz Chair [email protected] 301-302-4215

Teresa Godley-Chase Co-chair [email protected] 240-515-4222

Tiffany Henderson Treasurer [email protected] 678-431-6543

Florette Dihewou Board Secretary [email protected] 774-242-8480

Renee Sullivan Board Member [email protected] 478-718-1306

Regina Rainey Board Member [email protected] 864-303-2151

Andre Bikai Board Member [email protected] 770-369-5305

Felix Bikai Board Member

Krissy McGarvey Board Member

Angel Pepin Board Member

Evens Charles Board Member

Kids Be Aware, Inc.

P. O. Box 123456

Boston, MA 01100

Julynewsletter

Health & Medicine

Transcript of Julynewsletter