Transportation Safety

We tell our children to “look both ways,” but we need to continue to make sure children are practicing safe habits on the bus this year. They should stand a safe distance away from the curb when the bus arrives, not walk behind the bus and avoid getting on or off the bus after it has come to a complete stop. Also,  remind them not to run into the street and to follow all crosswalk signs.

If they are old enough to drive, make sure they know the dangers of using their cell phone while driving. They should pay attention to school zone speed limits, wear their seatbelts and use their turn signal. Like your driving student, make sure you as a parent are also practicing safe driving to avoid any accidents, especially around school zones.

Children who are walking home should not be distracted by listening to music in headphones, or by using their phone. They should be fully aware of their surroundings, especially near streets.

Backpack Safety

Heavy and ill-fitting backpacks can be detrimental to a growing body. Encourage your child to pack light and to use a school locker if they have one. Your child’s backpack should match their size in width and length of torso, not extending more than 4 inches below the waist. Making sure their backpack is not too big for their frame will allow them to carry their school supplies easily. When shopping for backpacks look for multiple interior pockets to distribute weight better, thick padded shoulder straps and a back panel.

The American Chiropractic Association recommends that backpacks are no more than 10% of your child’s weight. Rolling backpacks are also warned against as they cause a tripping hazard for other children.

Sports Safety

The start of the school year means soccer practices, dance classes and football games. Make sure your child is wearing the proper safety gear like mouth guards and keeping themselves hydrated. Sports- related injuries can be lessened by learning all the rules of the game and losing the “win-at-all-costs” mentality.

Concussions are very common among contact sports and require immediate medical attention.  Symptoms may include: confusion, forgetfulness, disorientation, clumsiness, slow speech and changes in mood. Your child should feel better in a couple weeks, however symptoms could last longer and affect how they think, act or feel. Knowing the signs and being safe can help your child avoid any serious injury.

Stranger Safety

For young child make sure they memorize essential information like their home address, phone number and how to call 9-1-1. Children who are old enough to stay home alone after school until their parents come home for work should avoid answering phones and opening the door for strangers. Teach them about stranger danger and the importance of paying attention to your surroundings.

We’re always here for you as the Best Neighbors Ever if you happen to experience any unexpected health situations. With short wait times and comfortable waiting areas, Neighbors Emergency Center is  right around the corner from you open 24/7. Visit nec24.com to find a location nearest you.

Safety First This Memorial Day

• Grilling some delicious burgers and chicken wings? Let’s not spoil an eventful evening with food poisoning. Did you know that U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that beef is cooked to 160 degrees and poultry to 145 degrees. Even though the meat looks tasty and done, it may not be cooked properly all the way through. Investing in a food thermometer is always a wise idea while grilling outdoors. Remember that you are responsible for the health of those you cook for! Bon appetit!

 

• You’ve been waiting all week to try on that new bathing suit, spend a day out on the lake, and just chill out. The last thing on your mind is dousing yourself in sunscreen right? Whether you burn easily or not, sunscreen is an essential for anyone spending a considerable amount of time in the sun. Experts recommend that you use SPF 15 or above, while reapplying sunscreen every two hours. Just because you doused yourself in SPF 80 at 9 a.m. doesn’t ensure safety for an entire day. We recommend setting alerts on your phone to remind yourself to reapply while you’re out and about. We don’t want to see you in your ER with severe burns this weekend!

 

• Traveling to new places is a ton of fun! However, we find that many people solely rely on their GPS to do all of the work. This will get you from A to B, but are you really familiar with the new city you’re traveling to? An hour of research at lunch could be extremely helpful to understanding the do’s and don’ts along your trek. Every city has places to go and places to avoid. We’d also recommend bringing a traveling first aid kit. From tiny bumps or bruises to minor allergic reactions, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We don’t expect you to be like the Griswalds on vacation, but the unexpected should be expected!

 

• Thieves love vacation weekends and they can figure your whereabouts on social media. Does your Facebook have privacy settings that filter out strangers from seeing your posts? If you alert them that you’re away for three days on your timeline this gives potential criminals an opportunity to rob your home. We recommend not posting your entire vacation itinerary on social media, or beefing up privacy settings across the board.

 

• Hydration is key! In the warmer months we get a lot of patients who have suffered from dehydration during outdoor activities. If you know you’re going to be outside for several hours and possibly drinking alcohol, we recommend drinking plenty of water the night before. The best way to avoid dehydration will be to drink a solid 16 ounce bottle of water before bed and another before you leave for your outdoor activity. However, in a perfect world you’d be drinking water throughout the day for optimal safety!

Regardless of your top safety precautions we know that unexpected health situations can occur. That’s why we’re here for your 24/7/365. Visit https://nec24.com/ to find a Neighbors Emergency Center near you!

Many children have very active athletic careers and knowing how to play safe and be smart can only improve this. In addition, learning safety tips can improve children’s teamwork skills, reduce obesity rates, and create a love for exercise and lifelong appreciation for health.

Each sport has very specific injury prevention tips to help children play it safe. From baseball and hockey, to cheerleading and martial arts, there are ways to prevent trauma and injury. However, there are some overall common tips that all children can use. They include:

• Always warm up properly
• Wear the appropriate protective gear
• Enforce a diet with the proper nutrition for athletic performance
• Have pre-season physical examinations
• Avoid overuse and fatigue
• Resist any temptation to play/continue through the pain
• If you are injured, only return to play with clearance from a health professional

As a parent, try and be aware of the warning signs of sports injuries. Examples include swelling, pain, or decreased interest in practice. Always encourage your child to speak up if they feel like something’s not right. Although coaches are observant, their responsibility is on the group of kids as a whole, not just your child.  

Neighbors Emergency Center has multiple centers opening in Texas. Be sure to check out our Facebook Page for neighborly news and updates.

Food poisoning, or foodborne illness, is caused by ingesting food that is contaminated. The most common causes of food poisoning are bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins. Contamination occurs when food is not handled correctly while it is being cooked. 

In Home Poisons

The key to avoiding poisoning in the home is to practice safe storage habits. Certain items must be stored away, out of reach, and out of sight of children. These items include all medications, tobacco, alcohol, cleaning and laundry supplies, pesticides and insect repellent, batteries, oils and lubricants, personal care products, and chemicals.

If for any reason you or your child ingest anything concerning read the label of the substance and call your local poison center (1-800-222-1222) or 9-1-1.

Over-the-counter medicine safety

Over 10,000 kids under the age of 18 visit emergency departments everyday due to the improper use of over-the-counter medicines. It is crucial that the parents and guardians of teenagers discuss the safe use and storage of OTC medicines. 

Prevention tips are key to keeping your loved ones safe. For more information, or if you have any questions, please call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Neighbors Emergency Center has multiple in centers opening in Texas. Be sure to check out our Facebook Page for neighborly news and updates.