Protect Your Children from Window Falls

A very sad story from Reston, Virginia reminds us to practice safety now that it’s springtime. A two-and-a-half-year-old boy fell from a third-story townhouse window this past weekend. The window was open but was covered by a screen, said police spokeswoman. The boy died as a result of the injuries sustained and was pronounced dead at the hospital. According to the Washington Post, a parent and a sibling were home at the time of the fall.

With warmer weather in sight, keep these important tips in mind:

• Avoid placing furniture near windows to prevent children from climbing.
• Don't rely on insect screens to prevent window falls. These screens are designed to provide fresh air while keeping bugs out. They are NOT designed to prevent a child's fall from a window.
• Install window stops designed to limit how far a window will open or window guards with release mechanisms to help prevent a fall.
• Keep windows locked and closed when they're not being used.
• Keep children away from windows or patio doors when playing.
• Supervise children at all times, especially around open windows.

A fall from a window can happen in a matter of seconds and the consequences can be devastating. Don’t wait for a tragedy, practice window safety today!

For more information visit Safe Start Baby, the National Safety Council and Safe Kids Worldwide.

Sun Safety 101

Baseball season has started and warmer temperatures tell us it's time to explore the outdoors again! Keep your little ones sun safe this spring season with these safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

First, limit sun exposure between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.

Dress your little ones in lightweight clothing that cover the arms and legs and don't forget to use brimmed hats.

Next time you're shopping, buy your kids child-sized sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection, and while you're at it, throw in an extra pair for you too!

Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Use sunscreen on small areas of the body, such as the face and the backs of the hands, if protective clothing and shade are not available.

For babies older than 6 months, apply sunscreen to all areas of the body, but be careful around the eyes. If your baby rubs sunscreen into his/her eyes, wipe the eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth. If the sunscreen irritates his/her skin, try a different brand or try a sunscreen stick or sunscreen or sunblock with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If a rash develops, talk with your child’s doctor.

For more information on sun safety and skin health visit the American Academy of Dermatology at http://www.aad.org/ and the American Academy of Pediatrics at http://www.aap.org/.