Preventing Lawn Mower injuries in Children

According to the journal Pediatrics, approximately 9,400 children in the U.S. are treated each year for lawn mower related injuries. These injuries result in loss of fingers, toes, hands, feet and even eyes. Injuries involving lawn mowers can also results in permanent brain injury or death.

These general lawn mower safety tips have been developed by The American Academy of Pediatrics.

--Always prepare your lawn for mowing--Check your lawn for items such as sticks, rocks, toys, sport equipment, dog bones, wire and equipment parts. Make sure miscellaneous items are not hidden in tall grass. The debris could be thrown while mowing, possibly hitting the operators or bystanders
--Check your children--Always make sure children are indoors or at a safe distance from the area you plan to mow.
--Make sure the operator is age appropriate--Children younger than 16 should not be allowed to use ride on mowers. Children younger than 12 should not use or walk behind mowers.
--Handle fuel with care--Always use care when filling the tank with gasoline. Wipe up spills. Start and refuel mowers outdoors, no in a garage or shed. Never fill the tank on a mower that has been operation and is hot. Never smoke or use any type of flame around gasoline.
--Mow forward--Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.
--Wear protective clothing and shoes--Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts, close fitting clothes, eye protection, heavy gloves and hearing protection. Wear sturdy shoes with slip-resistant rubber soles.
--Turn it off--Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge  chute or crossing gravel paths, roads or other areas.

Bike Safety Fair

Bike Safety Fair

Saturday, June 28th

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

South Point Pediatrics Parking lot

9071 S 1300 W

One of our offices at Wasatch Pediatrics is holding a Bike Safety Fair this weekend and we wanted to let you know of this fun event!

Safety Clinic Featuring:
-Bike safety stations for the older kids including a track to practice traffic laws.
-Bike course for the younger kids to ride and learn skills and practice bike safety
-Balance bikes to help beginners and kids with physical challenges.
-Helmet fitting and prizes.
-Minor bike maintenance assistance.
-Bring your own bike or try one of ours.
-Raffle for 3 bikes!!!

Don't Miss:
-Princesses will be there to sign autographs and take pictures.
-Face painting
-The Matterhorn French Toast Food truck

Sponsored by:
-South Point Pediatrics
-Jerk's bike shop
-UDOT
-Salt Lake County "Safe Kids"

Asthma Triggers

 

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We are seeing asthma flare up right now and thought it would be a good idea to go over what to do to help it. Certain things cause asthma “attacks” or make asthma worse.  These are called triggers. Some common asthma triggers are

• Things your child might be allergic to. These are called allergens. (Most children with asthma have allergies, and allergies are a major cause of asthma symptoms.)
• House dust mites
• Animal dander
• Cockroaches
• Mold
• Pollens
• Infections of the airways
• Viral infections of the nose and throat
• Other infections, such as pneumonia or sinus infections
• Irritants in the environment (outside or indoor air you breathe)
• Cigarette and other smoke
• Air pollution
• Cold air, dry air
• Odors, fragrances, volatile organic compounds in sprays, and cleaning products
• Exercise (About 80% of people with asthma develop wheezing, coughing, and a tight feeling in the chest when they exercise.)
• Stress

Be sure to check all of your child’s “environments,” such as school, child care, and relatives’ homes, for exposure to these same things.

Help Your Child Avoid Triggers

While it is impossible to make the place you live in completely allergenor irritant-free, there are things you can do to reduce your child’s exposure to triggers. The following tips may help.

• Do not smoke or let anyone else smoke in your home or car.
• Reduce exposure to dust mites. The most necessary and effective things to do are to cover your child’s mattress and pillows with special allergy-proof encasings, wash their bedding in hot water every 1 to 2 weeks, remove stuffed toys from the bedroom, and vacuum and dust regularly. Other avoidance measures, which are more difficult or expensive, include reducing the humidity in the house with a dehumidifier or removing carpeting in the bedroom. Bedrooms in basements should not be carpeted.
• If allergic to furry pets, the only truly effective means of reducing exposure to pet allergens is to remove them from the home. If this is not possible, keep them out of your child’s bedroom and consider putting a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in their bedroom, removing carpeting, covering mattress and pillows with mite-proof encasings, and washing the animals regularly.
• Reduce cockroach infestation by regularly exterminating, setting roach traps, repairing holes in walls or other entry points, and avoiding leaving exposed food or garbage.
• Mold in homes is often due to excessive moisture indoors, which can result from water damage due to flooding, leaky roofs, leaking pipes, or excessive humidity. Repair any sources of water leakage. Control indoor humidity by using exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen, and adding a dehumidifier in areas with naturally high humidity. Clean existing mold contamination with detergent and water. Sometimes porous materials such as wallboards with mold contamination have to be replaced.
• Pollen exposure can be reduced by using an air conditioner in your child’s bedroom, with the vent closed, and leaving doors and windows closed during high pollen times. (Times vary with allergens, ask your allergist.)
• Reduce indoor irritants by using unscented cleaning products and avoiding mothballs, room deodorizers, or scented candles.
• Check air quality reports in weather forecasts or on the Internet. When the air quality is poor, keep your child indoors and be sure he takes his asthma control medications.
• Decreasing your child’s exposure to triggers will help decrease symptoms as well as the need for asthma medications.

 If you feel like your child may have asthma please call and schedule an appointment with your Primary Care doctor today. He/She would be happy to help and see if your child has asthma. If you child is having a lot of "flare" ups than you may want to also consider coming in to manage your childs asthma better. Please feel free to contact us for more questions.

**Info from healthchildren.org/ AAP