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At The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, our Child
Advocacy Program is a proactive approach toward keeping area
children healthy and safe. Utilizing a team approach, the purpose of
the Child Advocacy Program is to raise awareness about social issues
which impact children, provide educational classes, and partner with
community organizations in an effort to promote the health and well
being of all children in our area.
Child Safety Seats
The parents are smart, well educated, and positive they’ve done
everything right. Yet, their children are in danger while riding in
the car, even with car seats and safety belts. It happens too often,
according to experts at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest
Florida.
Child advocate, Elizabeth (Liz) Moreno coordinates the hospital’s
Child Passenger Safety Program, making sure every newborn leaves
HealthPark safely. She explains the importance of car seats to
first-time parents and then takes dad to the car to demonstrate
correct installation. Liz is a Certified Child Passenger Technician.
“You can’t just drive to the fire or police station and ask them if
your seat is installed correctly,” she says. “You need someone with
certification.” The program is open to the public, and with an
appointment, anyone can have child car seats inspected free.
Improper installation, however, is NOT the only problem when it
comes to car seats. Many parents do not understand car seat rules.
“Infants need to be rear-facing until they are 20 pounds AND one
year old, not either/or,” Liz points out. “That’s one of the biggest
mistakes I see.”
Another big problem—the fact that Florida Child Restraint Law says
children 4-5 years old can use a safety belt, yet seat belts are a
hazard for children that age. It is recommended that a child under 4
feet, 9 inches ride in a belt positioning booster and that a child
aged 12 and under ride in the back seat, which is safest.
To ask a question or make an appointment to have car seats checked,
call 239-343-6199.
Swim Safety Program
There are more places to swim in Southwest Florida than most places
on earth; it’s no wonder, then, that drowning is the leading cause
of accidental death for Florida children.
Pediatrician Nancy Witham with the Lee Physician Group says the need
to educate parents about water safety never stops.
“It’s easy for someone to say, ‘Always watch your children,’ but
toddlers are extremely active and can get into trouble even when
you’re watching,” Dr. Witham says. “That’s why it’s important to
watch your children and make the environment safe.”
Michele King, manager of the Child Advocacy Program for the
Children’s Hospital, agrees with Dr. Witham.
“There is absolutely no substitute for adult supervision, but we
need layers of protection. Have an adult present at all times, but
you also need barriers like pool fencing, special locks on doors or
alarms on doors leading out to the pool.
“Take a life preserver and a cell phone with you,” Michele
continues. “The point is that there is something you can do. With
layers of protection, if one thing fails another step you’ve taken
can save the child’s life.”
Sun Safety
Question: When is it okay for kids to be red like a lobster?
Answer: Never! A lobster isn’t bright red until it’s cooked, and
neither are kids.
Just one blistering sunburn as a child can double the risk of
melanoma during your lifetime. More than one in four Americans
develop skin cancers, making childhood education about sun safety a
vital step towards reducing risk.
“You receive more than half your total lifetime sun exposure before
age 19,” says pediatrician Irwin Kash, MD, of Lee Physician
Group—Associates in Pediatrics. “Children spend more of their day
outdoors than adults do, and their skin is more sensitive.”
Dr. Kash recommends protecting children and adults every day with
clothing, hats, SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreen and sunglasses with 100
percent UVA/UVB protection. Children under six months old may use
sunscreen, but the best protection at that age is to avoid the sun.
“People think they only need sun protection in the summer or at the
beach. They don’t think about physical education class at school or
when kids are playing in the yard,” Dr. Kash says. “In our area, we
need sun protection 365 days a year, whether it is sunny or cloudy.”
Bicycle Helmet Safety
Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other
consumer product except automobiles.
Universal bicycle helmet use by children ages 4 to 15 would prevent
39,000 to 45,000 head injuries and 18,000 to 55,000 scalp and face
injuries each year.
A good fit is vital for a helmet to offer the best protection. Avoid
buying an oversized helmet for your child to grow into it.
When selecting a helmet, have your child try on the size you think
will fit and one size smaller. Select the smallest size that fits
comfortably.
Learn all rules of the road and obey all traffic laws. Ride on the
right side of the road, with traffic, not against traffic. Use
appropriate hand signals when stopping and turning so others will
know your intentions.
Germaine the Germ Thing
The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida offers an informative
and interactive class to area students. The class is entitled
“Germaine the Germ Thing,” and is designed to correlate with
Sunshine State Standards and to assist the classroom teacher with
health related instruction.
The simple act of hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread
of germs and illness. Recent studies show a reduction in colds and
flu in day care centers and elementary schools can be achieved by
teaching children and teachers proper hand-washing techniques and by
encouraging children to wash their hands at regularly scheduled
times.
“Germaine the Germ Thing” is designed for kindergarten and first
grade students. The emphasis of the presentation is on preventing
the spread of germs through proper hand washing techniques.
Classes are offered free of charge by staff of the Child Advocacy
Program at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
Parenting Classes
Be the best parent possible! The Children’s Hospital of Southwest
Florida offers free specialized parenting classes to teach new
parents how to focus on their strengths and set appropriate
expectations for their children. Classes are held monthly and are
available to all interested parents and families. The Parenting
Classes help parents to learn, understand and implement the
“building blocks” for strong child development. Refreshments
provided. For more information
click here or please call: 239-343-5842
The Children’s Hospital Parenting Classes are made possible through
the generosity of the Prendergast Family Endowment Fund.
ASK “Asking Saves Kids”
Every time we lose another child to gun violence, we hear outrage at
the senselessness of the tragedy, but rarely do we hear about a
tangible opportunity to do something to prevent more children from
dying.
The Children’s Hospital Advocacy Program is participating in a
national effort called the ASK Campaign. The ASK (Asking Saves Kids)
Campaign urges parents to ask their neighbors if they have a gun in
the home before sending their children over to play. It is a
comprehensive national public health campaign, developed by PAX/Real
Solutions to Gun Violence, in partnership with the American Academy
of Pediatrics.
Over 40 percent of homes with children have guns. Many are kept
unlocked and loaded, and every year thousands of children are killed
or seriously injured as a result. The ASK Campaign provides a
practical opportunity for parents to protect their children from gun
violence. Parents across the country are committing to ASK the
simple question that could save their child’s life – is there a gun
where my child plays?
The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is the most
comprehensive facility of its kind in our area and operates under
the principle that essential healthcare services should be available
to all children, regardless of their families’ ability to pay for
such services. Seriously ill children with a range of
life-threatening conditions are able to remain right here in our
community with family and friends – instead of having to endure the
stress and isolation of travel to Tampa or Miami. Children and their
families can focus on healing, not unnecessary hardships.
Established in 1992 to meet the growing and continuing need for
comprehensive child healthcare in Southwest Florida, The Children's
Hospital of Southwest Florida is part of the Lee Memorial Health
System family. Sharing the legacy of providing top quality
healthcare services that dates back to 1916, we are committed to
delivering superior care to our youngest of patients, their families
and our community.
To learn more about our Child Advocacy Program, please contact
Michele King at 239-343-5842.
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