Health & Safety - Success By Six

	:: Parent Guide
	:: Introduction
	:: Health & Safety
	:: Nutrition
	:: Child Development
	:: Parenting
	:: Resources

	:: Read Me a Story
	:: What You Can Do

Keep Me Safe!
Try these safety tips to keep your child safe as he learns about the world around him. Help prevent the following dangers: Choking
•	Keep anything your child could choke on out of reach. Your child can choke on anything smaller than a 50 cent piece (about one-inch across).
•	.Children can easily choke on balloons, small toy parts, and small hard foods (examples: nuts, popcorn, candy)
•	Check teething rings, pacifiers, and bottle nipples each time you use them. Throw them away if they are old, and rubber is gummy or cracked.

Cutting Off Baby's Airway
Be aware of things that can cut off your baby's airway:
•	Plastic bags, such as dry cleaning or grocery bags. Keep out of the reach of children!
•	Getting trapped inside old appliances or trunks of cars. Take off all doors from old appliances.
•	Make sure cords from blinds or curtains are out of reach of your child. Do not tie or clip cords together to form a loop. Your child™s neck could become caught in the loop.
•	Remove all drawstrings from hoods, sweatshirts, and hats, or buy clothes without drawstrings.

ABC's of Travel
— AIR BAG SAFETY
•	Never place children in the front seat, in front of an air bag.
— BUCKLE EVERYONE
•	Buckle both lap and shoulder straps for everyone on every car ride!
•	Buckle children in child safety seats approved for their age and weight:
•	Infants under 20 pounds AND 1 year — rear-facing correctly installed child safety seat.
•	Children over 20 pounds AND 1 year—forward-facing correctly installed child safety seat.
•	Children over 40 pounds—booster seats until they weigh 50 pounds and are big enough for the shoulder strap to fit across the shoulder, not the neck. The lap belt should fit across the hips, not the abdomen.
	A Seat belt tip from Safe Kids: The lap and shoulder belt will usually fit correctly if– • Your child's back rests against the car's seat. • Your child's knees bend at the edge of the car's seat.
— CHILDREN IN THE BACK
	The back seat is the safest place for all children to ride until 14 years old. NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN ALONE IN A CAR! It's dangerous and against the law—even to run inside a store for a minute.
Drowning
Supervise children at all times whenever they are in, or near, water!
•	Children drown in pools, spas, canals, ditches, bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and buckets of water. Young children are "top-heavy." When they fall in, they cannot get out.
•	Use of hot tubs and spas is not recommended for young children
•	When doing water activities, always use Coast Guard approved life jackets made for your child's weight and size. Look for the label inside the jacket that reads " PFD III or PFD IV." Use a life jacket at the beach or pool if your child does not swim. Water wings and inflatable toys are not substitutes for a life jacket!
If you own a pool, the safest protection is:
•	A four to five-foot fence completely around the pool.
•	A self-locking gate.
•	A phone as close as possible.
•	CPR training.
•	SUPERVISION!

Falling
•	Supervise your child at play.
•	Never leave children alone in high places, such as on tables, counter tops or in a crib, with sides down.
•	Use gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
	Use window guards or child-proof locks on windows.
•	What to do after a fall:
•	If there is a chance of head or spinal injury, do not move the child.
•	Call 911 immediately if you see any of the following:
•	Bleeding or clear liquid from ears or nose.
•	Child passes out or becomes unconscious.
•	Ongoing pain in neck or back.
•	Weakness, tingling, numbness in arms or legs.
•	Loss of bowel or bladder control—if control was present before fall.

Guns
For the safety of your child:
•	Keep all firearms UNLOADED and LOCKED AWAY at all times.
•	Keep all firearms UNLOADED and LOCKED AWAY at all times.
•	Use trigger locks even on stored guns.
•	Store all ammunition separately, and keep LOCKED AWAY at all times.
•	Keep the keys to a locked gun safe with you. Do not leave keys where children might find them.

Burns
•	Keep matches and lighters away from children.
•	Turn pot handles to the back of the stove. Keep hot foods away from edges of tables and counters. Do not hold your baby while you are cooking.
•	Watch young children carefully around wood stoves, campfires and barbecues. Teach them the dangers of fires and hot surfaces.
ABC's of Sunburn Protection
•	AWAY—Stay away from the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The sun is the main cause of skin cancer. The sun affects our skin on cloudy days, too. BLOCK—Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen. Apply 20 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply as per directions on the bottle. COVER UP—Wear hat, sunglasses and clothing to protect from the sun. SPEAK OUT—Teach others about sunburn protection.
Burns are classified as... 1. First degree — area is red, painful to touch 2. Second degree — area has blisters, swelling 3. Third degree — white, charred black, swollen, and sometimes breaks open
For first and second degree burns:
•	Run cold tap water over burn for several minutes. You can cover with a clean, cold, wet towel until you talk with your doctor, clinic or emergency room.
•	Do not use ice. It can cause more damage to the skin.
•	Do not put butter, grease or powder on burn.
•	Apply antibiotic ointment. Do not break blisters. Cover area with sterile bandage or clean cloth. Call your doctor or clinic for advice on care.
Also call your clinic, doctor or emergency room immediately if...
•	There is a third-degree burn.
•	Child is less than 2 years old.
•	Burn is larger than one inch or blistered.
•	Burn is electrical.
•	Burn is to face, feet, ears, eyes, hands, mouth, or genitals.
•	Pain continues more than a few hours. Watch your child closely for signs of discomfort—fussy, crying, not sleeping, or not eating.
•	There is sign of infection: fever, increased redness or swelling, bad odor, discharge.
If you have any questions, refer to your Healthwise Handbook , CareWise Handbook, or call your clinic or doctor.

Poisoning

Prevention Tips

•

Keep anything that could poison your child out of reach with lids on tight. Lock them up, if at all possible. This includes medicines, alcohol (beer, wine, hard liquor), cleaning products, perfume, mouthwash, toothpaste, even baby vitamins and aspirin. Ask your houseguests to do the same.

•

Medicines can be locked in an overnight bag which can also be used for a first aid kit.

•

Store all chemicals (gasoline, lamp oil, kerosene), pesticides, etc. completely out of reach of children. It is not safe to store them under the sink or on a low shelf.

•

Some house plants are poisonous. Are all plants out of your child's reach?

•

Stay away from sources of lead poisoning: paint in homes built before 1978, old painted cribs, mine tailings, lead weights.

For an emergency, call 911 or
Poison Control at 1-800-860-0620.
They will need to know:
1. Your name and phone number.
2. Your child's name, age and weight.
3. Any medical conditions he may have or medicines he is taking.
4. Information about what your child swallowed (have the container with you).
5. Tell them how much and when it was swallowed.

Talk to your doctor, clinic or Poison Control before you make a child vomit. Sometimes it is the wrong thing to do!

Other Hazards

All parents have frustrating moments.
Before you are at the end of your rope, call these numbers for immediate help. You will be able to talk to someone who understands your frustration and can suggest ways to calm your child and yourself. No matter how angry or impatient you feel,
NEVER SHAKE OR HIT A BABY–EVER!

Indoor Safety Tips

•

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
There are many theories about the causes of SIDS, but
none have been proven. It is known at this time that most
babies who die suddenly from SIDS:

•

Usually die in their sleep.

•

Are well cared for.

•

Show no signs of illness.

•

Are between 4 and 16 weeks of age.

To decrease the risk of SIDS, remember–

•

Breast fed babies are at a lower risk for SIDS.

•

When infants sleep on their backs, their risk is reduced by 50%.

•

Smoking inside the home increases the risk by two to three times the normal risk.

•

Talk with your clinic or doctor about risk factors or questions you may have about SIDS. Help is also available through local support groups.

Crib Safety

•

Used cribs may not meet current safety codes.

•

The slats on cribs should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so your baby's head cannot fit between the slats.

•

A firm mattress and sheet are the safest bedding. Do not place infants on waterbeds or sheepskins.

•

Infants can get their face caught in soft bedding; such as
pillows, soft toys, blankets, or crib bumper pads.

•

Keep the side rail locked in the top position when the baby is in the crib.

•

Beware of toys and mobiles with small parts that can be removed and swallowed.

•

Remove mobiles when your child can push up on his or her hands and knees.

•

When your child can pull up or stand, remove things in the crib your child can stand on to try to climb out of the crib.

•

Keep mini-blinds and drapery cords away from the crib.

•

Most babies should sleep on their back for the first year.

•

Be sure to talk with your doctor or clinic about the best
sleep position for your baby.

Do not smoke around children!
Tell your friends who smoke... PLEASE DON'T SMOKE—
THERE'S A BABY IN THE HOUSE!|
Did you know:

•

Children exposed to smoke are sick more often with
coughs, colds, ear infections, asthma, allergies, and
pneumonia.

•

Children whose parents smoke are at more risk for lung
cancer and heart disease.

•

Children whose parents smoke are more likely to become smokers themselves.

Tobacco smoke has 4,000 chemicals.

More tips for indoor safety:

•

Get on the floor and see your home the way your child sees it. Look for possible dangers: small things (like coins to swallow), TV cords or other equipment that your child can pull over. Check your house again when your child starts to pull up on furniture to walk.

•

Install smoke detectors in your home. Check their batteries twice a year. An easy reminder is to check them when time changes in the spring and the fall.

•

Baby "walkers" are not recommended. Babies in walkers can easily tip over or fall down stairs.

•

You can buy safety devices for electrical outlets, cupboards and door handles.

•

Send in registration cards on new products purchased for your child. Companies can let you know if there are any recalls on those products.

•

Use tablecloths carefully. Children can easily pull them and cause objects to fall on themselves.

Outdoor Safety Tips

Watch for cars!

Teach your child to be a "smart walker" around cars, crossing streets, and in parking lots. Teach them to hold your hand.

Look left, look right, look left again!
Play it safe!

•

Playground equipment should be over soft surfaces, not concrete or asphalt.

•

Teach correct and careful use of play equipment:
— Use the ladder to climb up the slide.
—Sit in the swing. Do not stand.
—Do not walk in front of, or behind, a swing.
—Closely supervise children under four on climbing —equipment.
—Closely supervise children under five
—on seesaws.
—Beware of slides that have been in the
—sun; they can be very HOT!

•

Trampolines are the cause of many serious injuries and are not recommended for play by children at home.

Bicycle Safety

•

If you must carry your child on the back of your bike, only do so when your child is over the age of one year. Use an approved bike carrier and a lightweight, safety-approved, infant bike helmet.

•

Children riding bicycles need to wear approved helmets that fit properly!

•

Look for a sticker inside the helmet or on the box that says "Snell Approved"or "Meets ANSI Z90.4 Standard".

Personal Safety Tips

•

Always know where your child is at all times!

•

Teach your child to never talk to strangers.

•

Teach them to never accept anything from a stranger.

•

Children should never be alone with a stranger.

Emergencies - Always Call	911
For all safety questions and concerns:
Safe Kids Coalition	737-2430
American Red Cross	733-6464
Bliss Fire Department	934-4421
Buhl Fire Department	543-5664
Buhl Police Department	735-1911
Fairfeild Fire Department	764-2500
Fairfeild Police Department	764-2261
Filer Fire Department	326-5001
Filer Police Department	326-4123
Gooding Fire Department	934-8348
Gooding Police Department	934-8345
Jerome Fire Department	324-8189
Jerome Police Department	324-4313
Kimberly Fire Department	423-4336
Kimberly Police Department	423-4151
Twin Falls Fire Department	735-7200
Twin Falls Police Department	735-7200

Keep Me Healthy!

•

Find a medical "home" for your family and child! Form a relationship with a doctor or clinic you can call! Don't let lack of health or dental insurance keep you from getting medical care for you child.

Medicine Chest Musts Medicine

It is a good idea to keep these things on hand:
Parent tip: Keep them stored in a locked overnight case
which can also be used for a first aid kit.

•

Emergency phone list (911, Poison Control, police, fire,
emergency room, doctor or clinic, dentist, neighbor, your home phone and address for baby-sitters.)

•

Bulb syringe (nasal aspirator)

•

Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Polysporin, or Bacitracin)

•

Petroleum jelly (K-Y, Vaseline)

•

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra)

•

Thermometer

•

Band aids of different sizes

•

Roll of 3-inch wide gauze bandage

•

Several sterile 4-inch square non-stick dressings

•

Roll of adhesive tape

•

Safety pins

•

Small scissors

•

1% hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion

•

Antihistamine liquid or tablets

•

Tweezers

•

Plastic card (for scraping out stingers)

•

Bar of soap or liquid soap

•

Syrup of Ipecac* (to make your child vomit)
*Never use Syrup of Ipecac without calling your doctor or Poison Control Center (1-800-860-0620) for instructions.

Be sure to keep all medicines out of reach of children!

Squeaky Clean!

Newborns

•

Keeping your baby clean helps to keep her healthy.
Bath time is a special time with your baby. Talk and sing
while bathing her. Bathe your newborn baby every two to
three days. You can use the kitchen sink with a thick towel
in the bottom, or a small baby bathtub.

•

Never leave your baby alone in or near water!

•

Get all the items you will need together before the bath.

•

Keep the temperature on your water heater at 120° F or less, and always check the water temperature before placing
your child in the tub. It should feel warm on your wrist.

•

Wash your baby's face first. Use only water on the face—no soap.

•

Use a washcloth to wet her hair. Lather a small amount of baby shampoo and rinse well with the washcloth.

•

Dry your baby well to prevent heat loss.

•

On the days between baths, make sure to clean behind her ears and neck and under her chin where milk and spit-up can collect.

Umbilical Cord Care

•

The dried cord will fall off by itself in about one to four
weeks. Do not pull on the dried cord.

•

Twice a day, use alcohol on a cotton ball to gently wipe the base of the cord where it meets the skin. Your baby may not like the feel of the cold alcohol.

•

Fold the diaper down so that air can get to the cord.
The air and rubbing alcohol help to dry and heal
the cord.

•

Call your baby's doctor if there is redness, pussy
drainage, or swelling in the skin around the cord.

Cradle Cap

•

Cradle cap is a greasy buildup on your baby's scalp. It
often forms on the very top of your baby's head.

•

Prevent cradle cap by keeping your baby's head clean

•

Treat cradle cap by shampooing hair several times a
week. Use a soft brush or your fingertips to gently
scrub the scalp.

Circumcision

•

The end of the penis will look red and sore for seven to ten days

•

In one to two days, there will be a small amount of
yellow crust or covering.

•

Until the penis heals, keep area clean by rinsing with warm water.

•

You may gently pat to dry...do not scrub or remove crust or covering.

•

The circumcision will heal in 10—14 days.

Newborns, Infants,Toddlers

Diapering

•

Check your baby often during the day for wetness (at least every two hours)

•

Change your baby's diaper when wet and after every bowel movement.

•

Take special care after a bowel movement to clean the folds and creases. Use warm water and a soft cloth. Do not scrub.

•

Discuss with your doctor or clinic the care for newborn boys who are not circumcised.

•

Prevent infections—wipe girls from front to back.

•

For diaper rash:
- Change diaper more often.
- Rinse with water and gently pat dry.
- Do not use baby "wipes" since many
contain chemicals that may irritate the skin.
- Apply vaseline.
- Call your doctor or clinic for
other treatments.

Infants and Toddlers

Tub Baths

•

Never leave your child alone while bathing, even to answer the phone or door!

•

For infants, use a baby bathtub or put a thick towel in the bottom of the kitchen sink.

•

Put about two to four inches of warm water in the tub.

•

Always check the water temperature. It should feel warm on your wrist.

•

When your baby can sit by herself, you can use your regular bathtub.

•

Do not use bubble bath or additives in the bath water; they can irritate your child's skin or cause urine infections

•

Use non-skid bath mats on both the tub and floor.

Well-Child Checkups and Immunizations

Checkups
Well-child checkups are a good time to talk to your child's doctor or clinic about your child's health and development. The visits are helpful in preventing diseases and finding problems early. At the first visit, family history on allergies and diseases will be recorded.

•

Your child should be immunized, following
the schedule below

•

Your doctor will want to know your child's habits: How long does he sleep? What does he eat? How many diapers does he wet and soil each day?

•

Your child will be weighed and measured at each visit to make sure he is growing properly.

•

Your baby will receive a complete physical exam from head to toe!

Immunizations
It is very important that your baby gets shots on time. Many times well-baby checkups and shots can be done at the same time. Keep your baby healthy. Take your baby to the doctor for shots or checkups when he is–

—2 weeks 9 months
—2 months 12-18 months*
—4 months * Followed by at least once every year
—6 months 4-6 years
Immunizations are needed at the above ages listed in bold
print! Call your doctor, clinic or Central District Health
Department for an appointment.

Illness and Symptoms

What Should I Do?...When Should I Call the Doctor
or Clinic?
As a parent, it is often very hard to know when to call the
doctor or clinic if your child is ill. Remember, often a call
to the doctor, nurse, or clinic is all you need to manage the
problem at home. They will also be able to tell you if your
child should be seen at the clinic or office.

Calling the Doctor or Clinic
Before the call to the doctor or clinic:
Write down the problem.

Describe the symptoms:

•

- When they started.
- How they progressed.
- Child's temperature.

When you call:

•

Ask to speak with a nurse to report the symptoms.

•

Have the ill child with you.

•

Make sure they have the phone number to reach you.

•

Ask when the doctor or nurse will call you back.

•

Stay off the phone so the doctor or nurse can call you back.

Symptoms

Small changes in behavior may tell you your child is not feeling well. You may also see the following:

cuts, lumps & bumps	vomiting	coughing
trouble breathing	cough	body aches
wheezing	runny nose	crying
sore throat	earaches	tummy ache
discharge from eyes	red eyes	diarrhea
severe headache	skin rash	fever
swollen glands	doesn't respond as usual
red swollen body parts

Refer to your Healthwise Handbook or CareWise Handbook. Ask your clinic or doctor if you have any questions or concerns about when and how to treat yourchild at home.

I Feel Hot!

•

Take your baby's temperature only if you think she has a fever. If you have any questions about taking your child's temperature, call your clinic or doctor.

Taking Your Taking Your Child's Temperature

Rectal

•

For children newborn to 3 years.

•

Use a rectal thermometer with a short, rounded bulb.

•

Coat it with K-Y or petroleum jelly.
a) Lay baby on her back, holding both feet with one hand or:;
b) hold your child, face down, across your lap. Hold the thermometer one inch from bulb.

•

Gently insert, never force, the thermometer into rectum until the bulb is inserted about one inch.

•

Do not let go of the thermometer or baby's feet. Hold tightly to prevent slipping or injury.

•

Hold the thermometer in place for two to three minutes. Average rectal temperature is 99.6° F.

Orally

•

For children over 3, if cooperative.

•

Use an oral thermometer with a long, thin bulb.

•

Wait at least 15 minutes if your child has had a hot or cold drink.

•

Gently put the bulb end of thermometer under your child's tongue.

•

Keep in place for two to three minutes.

•

Average oral temperature is 98.6° F.

Under the arm

•

For any age.

•

Use a rectal or oral thermometer.

•

Gently place the thermometer in arm pit and place arm snugly at side.

•

Hold the thermometer in place for five minutes.

•

Average axillary (under the arm) temperature is 97.6° F.

Build Healthy Teeth & Gums

Follow these rules to make sure your child has healthy teeth and gums:

•

As soon as the first tooth is in, brush your child's teeth after eating meals and before bedtime. Use very little toothpaste until your child can spit into the sink.

•

If your drinking water does not contain fluoride, ask your doctor about fluoride supplements.

•

Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle. Juices, milk and formula have sugars that can cause cavities. This is called "Bottle Rot" or "Baby Bottle Syndrome".

•

Cavities in baby teeth can affect developing permanent teeth.

•

Floss your child's teeth every day. Cavities easily develop between the teeth. Usually children do not develop the ability to floss well until about 9 years old.

•

Take your child to the dentist every 6 to 12 months. Call your dentist when your child is 6 months old to see when your child's first visit should be. Many dentists find it best to first see babies as soon as the teeth erupt through the skin.

•

Feed your child healthy foods. Limit sweet, sticky, sugary foods. Give fruits or vegetables for snacks.

•

Protect your child's teeth from injury. Have your child wear protective gear and when riding a bicycle, skateboard or skates.

•

Call your dentist if your child should break or injure his teeth.

•

Set a good example: Follow these rules yourself!

•

For more information, please call your dentist.

Health & Safety
	Keep Me Safe!
	Choking
	Cutting Off Baby's Airway
	ABC's of Travel
	Drowning
	Falling
	Guns
	Burns
	Poisoning
	Other Hazards
	Indoor Safety Tips
	Outdoor Safety Tips
	Personal Safety Tips
	Keep Me Healthy!
	Medicine Chest Musts
	Squeaky Clean!
	Newborns
	Newborns, Infants, Toddlers
	Infants and Toddlers
	Well-Child Checkups and Immunizations
	Checkups
	Immunizations
	Illness and Symptoms
	Calling the Doctor or Clinic
	Symptoms
	"I Feel Hot!"
	Taking Your Child's Temperature
	Build Healthy Teeth and Gums

Emergency Numbers

Police/Fire/Medical (emergencies only)	911
Medical:
Magic Valley Regional Medical Center	737-2000
Twin Falls Clinic & Hospital	733-3700
St. Benedict's Family Medical Center	324-4301
Gooding County Memorial Hospital	934-4433
Shriner's Hospital (Salt Lake City, UT)	1-800-532-5307
Primary Children's Hospital (Salt Lake City, UT)	1-800-521-1221
Poison Control Center	1-800-860-0620

Safety Information

For more information regarding child safety seats:
Safe Kids of Magic Valley	737-2430
South Central District Health Dept.	734-5900

Safety Information

Nothing can replace supervision!
And nothing can replace your child!

Safety Tip

Keep babies six months of age
and younger covered and out of
the sun. Do not use sunscreen.

Poison

For more information or to order "Mr. Yuk" stickers to label toxic items, call
Idaho CareLine — Health Information & Referral at:
1-800-926-2588

NEVER SHAKE OR HIT A BABY!

Shaken baby syndrome...it can be deadly!!
Even moderate shaking can cause
blindness, permanent brain damage, or death!

SIDS

For more information about SIDS:

American SIDS Institute	1-800-232-7437
National SIDS Foundation	1-800-221-7437
Share of Idaho	208-381-3033

Questions

If you have any questions, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 1-800-638-CPSC.

Parks & Playgrounds

For information or concerns about local parks:

City of Twin Falls - Parks & Recreation	736-2265
County of Twin Falls - Parks & Recreation	734-9491

Helmets

Wear your helmet whenever you
are on wheels!

Medical Coverage Information
For more information on what is available, call:
Children's Health Insurance Program	1-800-926-2588
Idaho Careline	1-800-926-2588
TTY Hearing & Speech Impaired	1-800-332-7205

Immunizations

Shots prevent diseases!
You can prevent your child from suffering these serious, sometimes deadly diseases: Diphtheria, Measles,

Mumps, Polio, Rubella, Whooping Cough (pertussis), Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenza B, Hepatitis B and Chicken Pox. Immunize Today!

Reading a Thermometer

To read a glass thermometer, turn the thermometer until you see a wide bar. Long lines are whole numbers; 98, 99, 100. Count each smaller line by two's: 2, 4, 6. You can also use digital thermometers. Follow the directions on the box or package.