Volume 11, Issue 9
SEPTEMBER 2009   

 

 
  Over the past year we have focused our means of
  communication towards e-mail. These efforts are
  very “green” by saving paper and deliver valuable
  information to you more quickly and efficiently. We
  understand your e-mail address may change, from
  time to time, so be sure to let us know or go to our
  website, any time of the day or night, to enter your
  updated address in the green box to the left. This
  way you will never miss important APL news.
 
 
  We understand many people are
  concerned about the novel H1N1
 
  swine flu virus. This is why we’ve posted updates
  from the CDC, which are available to you 24 / 7,
  via our website. As a H1N1 swine flu vaccine is
  currently being developed, we are waiting for
  instructions from the federal government as to how
  the vaccine will be distributed. We will advise you
  as soon as information becomes available.

   
    National Child Passenger Safety Week is September 12-18 and the AAP has some great info:

    One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle.
    Proper use of car safety seats helps keep children safe. But with so many different car safety seats on
    the market, it’s no wonder many parents find this overwhelming. The type of seat your child needs
    depends on several things including your child’s size and the type of vehicle you have. Below is some
    brief information on safety seats.

    Infants - rear-facing
    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing starting
    with their first ride home from the hospital. They should remain rear-facing until they reach the highest
    weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer. At a minimum, children should ride rear-
    facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.

    Toddlers and preschoolers - forward-facing

    Once your child has reached the highest weight or height allowed by the
    manufacturer of the seat for rear-facing, she can ride forward-facing in a
    convertible seat. However, it is best for her to ride rear-facing to the
    highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of her car safety seat.
    She should ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until she outgrows
    it (usually at around 4 years of age and about 40–65 pounds).
 

  

    School-aged children - booster seats
    Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car safety seats. It is best
    for children to ride in a harnessed seat as long as possible, at least to 4 years of age. If your child
    outgrows his seat before reaching 4 years of age, consider using a seat with a harness approved for
    higher weights and heights. A child has outgrown his forward-facing seat when any one of the following
    is true:

    -  He reaches the top weight or height allowed for his seat with a harness. (These limits are listed on the
       seat and also included in the instruction booklet.)
    -  His shoulders are above the top harness slots.
    -  His ears have reached the top of the seat.

    Booster seats are designed to raise the child up so that the lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly.
    High-back and backless booster seats are available. They do not come with harness straps but are
    used with the lap and shoulder seat belts in your vehicle, the same way an adult rides. Booster seats
    should be used until your child can correctly fit in lap and shoulder seat belts. Booster seats typically
    include a plastic clip or guide to help ensure the correct use of the vehicle lap and shoulder belts. See
    the instruction booklet that came with the booster seat for directions on how to use the guide or clip.

    Older children - seat belts
    Seat belts are made for adults. Your child should stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly
    (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age). This means:

    -  The shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat.
    -  The lap belt is low and snug across the upper thighs, not the belly.
    -  Your child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with her knees bent without slouching and
       can stay in this position comfortably throughout the trip.

    Other points to keep in mind when using seat belts include:

    -  Make sure your child does not tuck the shoulder belt under her arm or behind her back. This leaves the
       upper body unprotected, putting your child at risk of severe injury in a crash or with sudden braking.
    -  Never allow anyone to “share” seat belts. All passengers must have their own car safety seats or seat
       belts.

       For more detailed information and safety seat charts, please visit the AAP website by clicking here.
 

At APL, no question is too silly and remember the first five-thousand are free.


       Kathleen Grady, M.D.
 
     The safest home is the one that has been childproofed. This is best
     accomplished before the baby becomes mobile. Even a baby that rolls has
     the unintentional ability to get herself into a potentially dangerous place.

     One of the best ways to ensure thorough childproofing is to get down on the
     floor and take a look at things from your baby’s point of view. Baby’s are very
     curious and will likely find rather ordinary things interesting. Be on the lookout
     for small objects, sharp corners, hanging cords and uncovered electrical
     outlets.
    
     Below are some great tips to help you "childproof" your home, starting with Poisoning Prevention: 
    
     -  Place plants out of reach.
     -  Keep all medicines (including over the counter medications and vitamins) locked securely out of
        reach in the original containers and return them to locked storage immediately after use.
     -  Store all cleaning products and poisonous chemicals in a high cupboard in their original containers. 
        Be sure the cupboard has a safety latch or lock.
     -  Keep shampoos / soaps and diaper creams / powders out of your child’s reach.

     In the Kitchen:

     -  Keep appliances & cords away from the edges of counters or tables.
     -  Put safety latches on drawers and cabinets.
     -  Keep matches and lighters out of your child’s reach.
     -  Store knives and sharp objects in a drawer out of reach.
     -  Avoid tablecloths (your child may pull it down off the table).
     -  Keep aluminum foil/plastic wrap out of reach (because of the sharp, jagged edges on the box).
     -  While cooking, do not permit your child to play on the kitchen floor. Be sure you know where your
        child is before removing hot items from the stove/oven to avoid tripping over her. Use the back
        burners when able. Always turn the handles of pots & pans inward and to the back of the stove.
     -  Empty any ice buckets or coolers immediately after use to prevent drowning.

     In the Bathroom:

     -  Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less to prevent scalding. Always test the water temperature
        before placing your child in the bath or under the faucet water.
     -  Keep the toilet lid closed. Use lid locks or keep the bathroom door shut.
     -  Keep electric appliances unplugged and away from water.
     -  Keep wastebaskets covered and stored in a latched cabinet. Dispose of sharp objects (i.e. razors)
        carefully.

    Furniture Tips:

     -  Fasten moveable furniture (i.e. bookcases) to the wall with a wall anchor to avoid your child pulling
        the piece over herself.
     -  Use corner and edge bumpers for sharp furniture edges.
     -  Keep tables free of clutter. Heavy objects (TV / stereo) should be pushed back from the edge of the
        furniture.
     -  Keep valuable and breakable items off tables and shelves.

     Door and Window Tips:

     -  Keep cords from drapes / blinds out of reach and use a cord wind-up device.
     -  Install window guards to protect your child from falling out the window.
     -  Use locks on doors and screens. Keep outside doors locked even when at home to prevent your
        child from wandering outside unnoticed.
     -  Install baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs and any restricted area.

     Reevaluate your home periodically to ensure all childproofing measures are solidly in place. 
     Adjustments may need to be made based on your child’s age and activity level.

     Remember, you cannot childproof your home too early, but if you do it too late, the consequences can
     be devastating. Regardless of childproofing, never leave your baby or young child unattended.
  

 

 
We have made it easy for you by
centralizing calls for both offices.
To make an appointment, talk to
a nurse or to contact a physician,
dial our main office number.
 
(847) 398-0400 Main Number
(847) 398-9590 Fax
 
algonquinpediatrics.com
arlingtonpediatrics.com
 

  At the beginning of next month,
  we will be e-mailing our patient
  families an online survey to rate
  the quality of service at APL.
 
  Be sure to watch your e-mail
  inbox for "APL - Online Survey"  

 
  (which will be the subject line). We would like to
  thank you in advance for your participation and we
  look forward to reviewing your input.
 
 

Our motto: "We treat our patients like our own children and grandchildren."

      ^ Top of Page