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CONSUMER WATCH! RECALL ALERT

There’s a lot to think about when you’re having a baby, so many needs to consider – cribs, strollers, clothing, diapers, baby bottles, bassinets, and more. Needless to say, choosing the best and safest products for your infant, toddler, or young child can be a dizzying process, especially when you’re bombarded with so many product choices.

But how to know if you’re buying something that poses a serious risk? An easy way to stay informed is to register with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (cpsc.gov) so you can receive email alerts that identify dangerous products and provide information about their risks. They also have an app you can download to your phone. You can find that here. This is a must-have resource. Adult-related products are included as well.

We went over all the alerts that were issued this year up to the writing of this article and identified a number of product categories that seem to continually pose a health and safety risk where infants and toddlers are concerned. And the list of products grows every day.

Here’s a sample of our findings…

  • Several baby bathing seats that are unsafe and present an increased risk of drowning
  • Bassinets which are unsafe for infants, increasing the risk of suffocation or entrapment

  • One or more baby gates that do not meet safety standards
  • More than a few chests of drawers that are top heavy and are easy to tip over by a small child causing serious injury

  • Numerous toys, games and other items powered by small batteries that, if placed in
    the mouth, increase both a choking risk as well as a risk for toxic ingestion

  • Several safety helmets for those starting to ride a bike or skateboard that are not
    adequate for protection of the head
  • Several “self-feeding” pillows with attachments for a small bottle that pose a
    choking risk

  • Any number of medications and/or supplements that violate child resistant
    packaging and can lead to serious or lethal toxic ingestion
  • Infant & toddler bedtime clothing that do not meet flammability standards

There are also a significant number of items that adults use regularly including:

  • Power strips for multiple electrical inputs that pose a fire risk
  • Steam cleaners due to risk of serious burns
  • A number of pool or hot tub drain covers which increase the risk of entrapment and
    drowning
  • Several adult portable side rails that increase the risk of serious falls

 

Save a Little Life™ strongly encourages all parents to register with the CPSC. Here’s a direct link to subscribe to their mailing list.

 

BE PREPARED. BE SAFE.

 

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CANDY OR CANNABIS?

California authorities recently seized 2.2 million illicit cannabis packages designed to look like popular food snacks and candy. The sting operation focused on 11 storefronts in the city’s Toy District where businesses were making and selling packaging used to deceive customers.

According to the L.A. Times, “The packages seized in the sweep were empty, but designed to mimic popular food and candy, including Sweet Tarts sour gummies and Twinkies adorned with rainbow sprinkles, which officials said could make them attractive to children. Such packages would not be permitted in the legal marijuana market.”

Under state law, cannabis goods must be labeled to ensure that consumers know what they are buying and to prevent products from being misused. Sellers are required to have packaging that is child-resistant, resealable and opaque if it’s an edible product. Vetted products feature a marijuana leaf symbol and an exclamation mark inside a triangle.

Unfortunately, the illegal weed market is aware of this, so some are now illegally creating packaging with a forged seal to sell their black market products.

Each of the seized packages was labeled with a forged California marijuana seal, giving would-be purchasers the false impression that the products inside had been vetted by the state. 

Obviously, this poses a danger to consumers.

Governor Newsom responded stating “We will not tolerate criminal activity that undermines the legal market, especially when it puts children at risk.”

Department of Cannabis Control Director Nicole Elliot added that such counterfeit packaging can potentially pose danger to consumers, “especially when it is ripping-off well-known brands that are attractive to children.”

Why is cannabis such a risk to children?

Children react very differently to cannabis than adults. Their reaction is extremely variable with symptoms varying from none at all to a coma. In a previous post we took a look at this issue and why it has become such a concern.  You can find that article Cannabis Poisoning In Children Is On The Rise here.

In our Pediatric CPR & Family Safety Class we always discuss potential risks to little ones who might accidentally consume any substance that might harm them. Our emphasis is on the 4 specific groups of potential toxins including drugs (of all kinds), plants, flowers and common chemicals used around the home for cleaning.

We strongly recommend the following guidelines:

• Keep all medications well hidden and out of sight of toddlers and children
• Be aware that little ones are always observing adults and might think that what they consume is OK for them
• Know the toxicity of common (indoor plants) as well as those in your garden
• All chemicals used for cleaning, disinfecting, or insecticides must be kept well out of reach and in cabinets that have good quality locks

If you believe that there has been an ingestion of any substance by your little one, please call California Poison Control immediately @ 1-800-222-1222.

INFANT NURSING SUPPORT PILLOWS SAFETY ALERT

Infant nursing support pillows are a great concept and can provide some much needed support for a nursing mother. As comfortable as they might look, however, a breastfeeding support pillow is never a safe place for babies to sleep. To date, misusage of them have been linked to over 160 infant deaths.

In this short video pediatrician Dr. Edith Branco, MD, FAAP talks about the ins and outs of using nursing support pillows:

If you’re considering a nursing support pillow for you and your baby, be sure to follow this criteria:

Pillows designed for breastfeeding should be firm and used only during feeding.

Some breastfeeding support pillows on the market already meet the following safety standards but the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) is currently considering safety rules that would ensure that all infant pillows meet standards for firmness, air flow, positional use, and shape to prevent injury or death.

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TOYS, CANDY, AND HIDDEN DANGERS

Sometimes a product, be it candy, a toy or even a purely functional item can present a hidden danger that no one is aware of until it actually causes harm or worse.

Children are both creative and curious and that will often lead them to explore play things in ways that we may not anticipate. For that reason, no matter what toys or games your little one plays with, it is always important to watch and observe how they interact with them, especially where infants & toddlers are concerned. The same holds true for food, candy in particular, which plays a big role in the holiday season or any on special occasion.

Of course, the bad news is, accidents happen. On the plus side, when accidents do occur and a product is reported to be unsafe, the ensuing investigation may result in a recall of that particular product. Unlike automobile recalls, however, product recalls don’t always make the headlines. So how do we know what we should be on the lookout for or when a recall has taken place?

Well, the good news is, the U.S government keeps close tabs on products that are unsafe and have been formally recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, otherwise known as the CPSC.

Save a Little Life™ strongly encourages all parents to visit the CPSC website at https://www.cpsc.gov/ where you can find a complete and up-to-date list of products that have been recalled.

You also have the option to receive email alerts by subscribing to their newsletter.

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THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU CAN MAKE WITH A CAR SEAT

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wants parents to know that sleeping in their car seats when not in transport has significant risk and has caused an alarming number of deaths nationwide.

Dr. Jeffrey Colvin, the lead author of a study looking at risk for infants in car seats, found that “most of the deaths occurred when the car seat was being used as a sleeping device.” He further noted “It really appears that the deaths in these car seats occurred in the context where the car seat wasn’t being used for its purpose in transporting a child, but instead it was being used as a substitute for a crib or bassinet.”

The AAP study further noted that “compared with other deaths, deaths in sitting devices had higher odds of occurring under the supervision of a child care provider or babysitter (our italics) compared with a parent.”

Dr. Colvin told Today that while there is no definitive reason for the number of deaths in car seats, he suggested the angled position of the device might be a factor, as well as the straps and side padding that could potentially be a strangulation or suffocation risk. He also stressed that “before there is widespread panic every time a child falls asleep in a car seat, parents should absolutely not be concerned if their baby falls asleep during the usual time in transit.” Various experts have opinions as to how long it is safe for them to be sleeping during a car trip. Please discuss this with your pediatrician for their expert advice.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION-ARE YOU PREPARED?

Babies too young to crawl or walk may seem relatively safe to new parents but once your little ones become mobile you’re faced with a whole new reality.

Agencies such as the National Safety Council and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control monitor statistics on physical and other types of injuries It may shock you to realize just how high some of those statistics are.

HERE ARE THE SOBERING FACTS:

Every year approximately 12,000 deaths result from unintentional injuries in children aged 1-19.

Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injury for children. In the 1-19 year age group there are about 89,000 fall-related emergency department visits every day.

Every year about 100 children are killed and 254,000 injuries recorded from bicycle-related accidents.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in ages 1-4. The majority of drownings and near-drownings occur in residential swimming pools and in open water sites.

Airway obstruction (suffocation) is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among infants under age 1.

Every year, in children under the age of 14, there are about 2,000 deaths from home injury. These are primarily caused by fire (smoke and/or burns,) suffocation, drowning, firearms, falls, choking, and poisoning.

Save A Little Life™ is dedicated to informing, educating, and preparing all family members and care givers to prevent these events. Our Pediatric CPR & Family Safety course is designed to empower everyone with the ability to respond quickly and efficiently when faced with a health emergency.

WHY COVERING YOUR STROLLER WITH A BLANKET IS DANGEROUS

In the blazing summer heat with the full sun bearing down on us, countless parents and caregivers drape a blanket over the stroller to give babies shade. It turns out, while we think we are protecting our little ones from the sun, we may be putting them at risk for heatstroke and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

 

Based on an interview with Stockholm pediatrician Dr. Svante Norgren about the dangers of covering a stroller, the Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet, conducted an experiment by putting a stroller out in the sun, midday, in the summer. Without a cover, the stroller was about 72 degrees Fahrenheit. After covering the stroller with a thin cover for 30 minutes, the temperature rose to 93 degrees and after an hour, 100 degrees!

Because babies sweat less, they are not able to adjust their body temperature as easily, compared to adults and older children. Their body temperatures can rise 3-5 times faster than ours. According to SIDS Australia, “Thermal stress (overheating) has been implicated in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) for many years and avoiding overheating has been one of the strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS.”

So how can you keep infants cool, safely?

Staying indoors during the peak heat of the day (between 10am and 3pm) can be helpful. If you must head outdoors, use a UV cover that doesn’t enclose the stroller, like a parasol. Look for strollers with large sun canopies, ventilated or removable back panel, and no excess cushioning. Air circulation is critical. Wide-brimmed hats are also a good way to protect them from the sun. Dress children lightly, use plenty of sunscreen, and keep them well-hydrated. Sponge your child with a damp cloth to keep them comfortable. A small clip-on fan can be attached to their stroller for added circulation – just be sure to keep it out of reach.

When in their stroller, check your baby to ensure they are not overheated. An overheated baby may sleep a lot. Ensure they are not sweating or are hot to the touch and head indoors if the sun and heat get too strong.

 

Article courtesy of our friends at
Tot Squad Baby Gear Services

 

 

 

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CHILDREN, AUTOMOBILES AND HEAT STROKE

A recently published article in the journal Pediatrics reminds us all that heat stress from enclosed vehicles can cause significant temperature rise and put infants & children at risk for hyperthermia.

The effects of high internal automobile temperatures takes young lives every year in the U.S. In 2016, the number of deaths from heat stroke rose in the pediatric population to 39. Previous averages per year have been running at 29 deaths per year.

Temperatures in enclosed automobiles can range from 134 to 154 degrees, and do so in a hurry. On average, temperatures tend to increase 3.2 degrees per minute and this is barely affected by having the window open a crack. These results are based on ambient temperatures outside of only 86 degrees. Southern California can easily exceed those numbers, and often does.

This is just a reminder to parents and care providers that small passengers are subject to heat stroke at a greater rate than adults, due to low body mass. It is imperative that we pay close attention to this issue and remind all others that might transport your infants and children in automobiles that passenger safety during the warmer months is everyone’s job.

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TAP WATER BURNS

A well established study suggests that tap water accounts for 7-17% of all scald burns requiring hospitalization in children. Toddlers and pre-school children were the most frequent victims. In this study, 45% of the scalding injuries occurred when the unsupervised victim or peer turned on the tap water. Home testing of bath water temperatures was done and about 80% of the homes checked had unsafe water temperatures for bathing children.

If a child is submerged in bath water at a temperature of 130 F. or higher, 3rd degree burns can occur within 30 seconds. It is believed that the majority of these burns can be prevented if homeowners turn their thermostat temperatures down to a maximum of 120 F.

Remember, if a burn occurs in the home, immediately pour cool water over the area (removing clothing first if possible.) This will reduce skin temperatures and, hopefully, reduce both the depth and size of the burn.

Seek medical treatment if the burn is deep or large. If necessary, call paramedics to the scene.