EricRoden's blog https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden en Preventing School Bus Accidents and Injury https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden/preventing-school-bus-accidents-and-injury <div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/sites/default/files/schoolbus_1.jpg" width="1280" height="959" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>According to the <a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-buses" rel="nofollow">National Highway Traffic Safety Administration</a> 6 school-age children die as a passenger on a school bus each year. When compared to the more than 42,000 people that are killed in other types of motor vehicle crashes each year this number makes school bus travel a much safer choice.</p> <p>Buses are made with small children in mind that will most likely move around a lot. The compact seats and extra padding provided on the seats makes it so that if a bus is in an accident the child will have extra protection by being contained in a small space that can absorb extra impact. However, there are some general safety tips all children should learn from an early age so that they will be even more protected.</p> <p>School Bus Safety Tips:</p> <p>• Always walk small children to and from the bus stop. The state of Georgia has seen a spike in pedestrian deaths recently. Any <a href="http://www.rodenlovelaw.com/" rel="nofollow">Savannah injury attorney</a> will tell you that the biggest risk for children riding a school bus is being struck and injured while getting on or off the bus.</p> <p>• Make sure children are aware of the proper way to get on and off the bus once they are at the bus stop. If they have to cross the street make sure they know to wait to make eye contact with the bus driver for guidance.</p> <p>• Always wear a seatbelt. Some school buses do not provide seatbelts for different reasons, but your child should be aware that wearing your seatbelt is important when they are available.</p> <p>• Sit back against your seat and face forward. Children love to play and might be too young to realize that a school bus isn’t the appropriate place to do that.</p> <p>• Do not put your hands or objects out the window. Not only should children not be standing while the bus is moving, but buses are a lot taller than normal cars and it’s easy for tree limbs and other objects to brush the side of the bus which could cause injury.</p> <p>• Listen to and obey the bus driver. Children should be taught to treat the bus driver with respect and know that they are in charge on the bus.<br />Teaching children from a young age how important school bus safety is will ensure that it’s a habit they continue to follow through grade school. Maintaining similar guidelines when they are traveling in the family car will make it easier for them to stay consistent and avoid bus accidents.</p> <p>Teaching children from a young age how important school bus safety is will ensure that it’s a habit they continue to follow through grade school. Maintaining similar guidelines when they are traveling in the family car will make it easier for them to stay consistent and avoid <a href="http://www.rodenlovelaw.com/bus-accidents/" rel="nofollow">bus accidents</a>.</p> </div></div></div> Thu, 16 Feb 2017 23:32:33 +0000 EricRoden 50250 at https://www.kidsinthehouse.com https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden/preventing-school-bus-accidents-and-injury#comments The Teenage Snapchat Addiction https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden/the-teenage-snapchat-addiction-0 <div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/sites/default/files/snapchat_0.png" width="663" height="1280" alt="Snapchat" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>By the end of 2016, Snapchat is predicted to break 200 million users, and as of now, 18% of the US population actively use this app. In what started just a few years ago as an obscure mobile networking concept, Snapchat intrigued the population and has slowly evolved into a must-have phone app, especially for teenagers. It allows teenagers to have constant interaction with each other by sending photos and short videos capturing what is happening in real time. The most enticing part? These captured moments disappear shortly after they are opened, giving them a special, exclusive value. So now we’ve created a communication app that is more alluring than texting and allows us to stay updated with each other’s’ lives, however we’ve also created a series of issues in the community, especially when it comes to driving.</p> <p><strong>Risks on The Road for Teens </strong> Both teen senders and receivers are at high risk when it comes to Snapchat and driving. From a receiving end, the ghost icon pops up on the phone, indicating a user has received a snap from a friend. Because this snap displays a moment happening in real time, the receiver generally feels the need to view the snap immediately so they don’t miss out. That, however, doesn’t bode well while driving. Most will justify checking a snap for a few seconds is practically harmless, but a specialized <a href="http://www.rodenlovelaw.com/car-accidents/">car accident lawyer in Savannah</a> would tell you that taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds, while going 55 MPH, is comparable to driving an entire length of a football field blindfolded.</p> <p>Those who decide to send or watch a snap while driving pose serious risk to not only themselves but to others around them as well. Generally, drivers who use Snapchat while driving are attempting to capture an image or video of something taking place on the road. A funny license plate or a pretty sunset are just a few examples of what users deem as something worth focusing on, over the road and cars surrounding them. Snapchat even has filters that questionably encourage a user to climb to an excessive speed and capture it on camera. <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/snapchat-speed-filter-growing-concern-car-crashes-distraction/">CBS recently reported</a> on a fatal car accident in Florida, taking the lives of five individuals. Driver Pablo Cortez and passenger Kolie Bartolome lost control of their vehicle and struck a minivan nearly head on. Later, Snapchat videos were recovered of the driver and passenger accelerating to 115.6 mph just nine minutes before the devastating accident. Was the driver instigated to climb an excessive speed for the sake of the snap? While this theory can’t be fully proved, it is safe to say that the Snapchat user wanted to take a video of the car going 115.6 mph.</p> <p>There have been numerous of other instances where Snapchat plays a key role in major car accidents. Christal McGee, a Georgia teenager, allegedly caused an accident after being distracted by Snapchat. It is hypothesized that McGee was trying to reach 100 MPH on the Snapchat speed filter when she rear-ended an Uber driver in an area with a designated speed of 55 MPH. Just after the accident, McGee posted a snapchat of her injuries, and the selfie she took post-accident, titled “lucky to be alive” went public.</p> <p>Rear end collisions, T-bone accidents, and sideswipe collisions continue to progress because drivers are busy with Snapchat. These horror stories should be enough for teenagers to put down their phone while in the car. Speak to your teen about distracted drivers and the risks associated. Knowledge is power and advocacy is key to help end <em>snapping and driving</em>.</p> </div></div></div> Sat, 21 Jan 2017 19:37:09 +0000 EricRoden 50179 at https://www.kidsinthehouse.com https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden/the-teenage-snapchat-addiction-0#comments How to Prevent and Treat Child Burn Injuries https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden/how-to-prevent-and-treat-child-burn-injuries-0 <div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/sites/default/files/stove_fire_0.jpg" width="960" height="640" alt="fire safety for children" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Burns are painful injuries and sometimes cause permanent damage. Children are naturally curious about the world around them, and unfortunately, this curiosity sometimes turns toward dangerous elements in their environment. While it’s important to teach your children about<a href="http://www.kidsinthehouse.com/preschooler/safety/fire-safety"> fire safety</a>, some kids are too young to understand these concepts. With this in mind, aim to limit the likelihood of your children being burned and take steps to make your home safer.</p> <p><strong>Prevention</strong></p> <p>One of the best ways to treat your child’s burn injuries is to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/burns/">prevent them from ever happening</a>. The primary way to do so is to install smoke alarms in your home to warn of any fires. Children who are old enough to grasp the concept of fire safety should also learn an escape plan in case the house does catch fire.</p> <p>The kitchen is the source of many house fires and <a href="http://www.rodenlovelaw.com/burn-injuries/">burn injuries</a>. Never leave any cooking appliances unattended while in use. Also, make sure your children don’t wander near hot stoves or pots of boiling water. You also need to be mindful of your electronics and electrical outlets – electric discharges can cause burns as well as a host of other health problems, especially for small children.</p> <p><strong>Treatment</strong></p> <p>Despite your best efforts, your child may eventually suffer a burn. It’s important to <a href="http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/treating-burns-and-scalds-in-children">treat only minor burns at home</a>. Call emergency services in case of the following:</p> <p>• The burn affects 10% or more of the child’s body.<br /> • The burn is on a sensitive area such as the face, genitals, a joint, or the extremities.<br /> • The affected area appears white or charred.<br /> • Electrical discharge or chemical exposure caused the burn.<br /> • The burn appears infected or oozing.</p> <p>For typical minor thermal burns, the first thing you should do for your child is run cool water over the affected area. Although you may think applying ice would help, the shock of the extreme cold can be painful, and the ice may stick to the skin and make the injury worse. Once the burn has been flushed with water, make sure the area is clean; do not pop any blisters that may have formed.</p> <p>Cover the affected area with a clean gauze or cloth bandage. Avoid using bandages with adhesives. Apply antibiotic ointment to minor burns. You can also give your child over-the-counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.</p> <p><strong>Severity of Burns</strong></p> <p>We categorize burns by degree in terms of their severity. A first-degree burn affects only the top layer of skin and will be red, possibly swollen, and painful to the touch. Second-degree burns affect the top two layers of skin, are much more painful, and blisters usually develop on the affected areas. People may treat first-degree burns and some second-degree burns at home, if the burn is small enough, but if there is any room for doubt or your child is in serious pain, seek medical attention immediately.</p> <p>A third-degree burn is a severe injury that requires immediate medical attention. All the layers of skin are affected, and the wound may appear white, charred, or waxy. Third-degree burns are sometimes not painful because they damage the nerves.</p> <p>No parent enjoys seeing a child in pain, and burns are particularly painful injuries that sometimes leave permanent scars. It’s important to remember your rights in case someone else’s negligence caused your child’s burn injury.</p> </div></div></div> Tue, 23 Aug 2016 18:16:42 +0000 EricRoden 49861 at https://www.kidsinthehouse.com https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden/how-to-prevent-and-treat-child-burn-injuries-0#comments What to Do if Your Child Swallows Something Poisonous https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden/what-to-do-if-your-child-swallows-something-poisonous <div class="field field-name-field-article-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/sites/default/files/accidental-poison-ingestion.jpg" width="719" height="486" alt="child accidental poison ingestion responses" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>According to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/safechild/nap/">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in children from birth to 18 years old. One of the most common instances of this sort is accidental poisoning. Small children are curious by nature, and most of them will put anything—from colorful laundry pods to a glossy pill—in their mouths. Common items children find at home and ingest include <a href="http://www.rodenlovelaw.com/prescription-drug-errors/" rel="nofollow">prescription medication</a>, cosmetics, and household cleaners.</p> <h2>What to Do After an Accidental Ingestion</h2> <p>If your child gets into a substance that is a possible toxin, call poison control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. <a href="http://www.aapcc.org/">Poison control</a> has medical professionals on staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Explain exactly what you think the substance can be to the poison control operator, which can then advise you on the next step. Keep this number in plain sight, and make sure all caregivers know to call it in case of an emergency.</p> <h2>Take Action</h2> <p>If you find your child with a substance that may be poisonous, assume he or she has eaten some. Take the following steps:</p> <p>• Take the container away and check the mouth for residue. Remove any extra from the mouth with your fingers.<br /> • Do not make your child vomit. This can lead to more problems. Call poison control first. An emergency room physician can induce vomiting if necessary.<br /> • If your child is having difficulty breathing or is unconscious, call 911.<br /> • Be prepared to answer some basic questions about your child’s health when you call poison control: age, height, weight, medical conditions, and any medications he or she may be taking.</p> <h2>Know Your Poisons</h2> <p>Different kind of poisons can irritate the skin or eyes, even if they are not ingested. If children come into contact with corrosive materials on their skin, remove their clothing and rinse them off with tepid water. For chemicals in the eyes, flush thoroughly with water. Hold the eyelid open, and pour tepid water into the corner. Flush for 15 minutes. Call poison control after you have the situation in hand, even if you feel like the child is no longer in danger. The operator may know more about the substance and can guide you to further aid or relieve you of future worry.</p> <h2>Do Not Ignore Serious Symptoms</h2> <p>The following symptoms merit emergency care. Call 911 immediately if you notice any of the following:</p> <p>• Difficulty swallowing or breathing<br /> • Confusion or drowsiness<br /> • Vomiting or nausea<br /> • Rashes or <a href="http://www.rodenlovelaw.com/burn-injuries/" rel="nofollow">burns</a> around the corners of the lips<br /> • Breath or clothing that smells like chemicals</p> <p>Call an ambulance and take inventory of your surroundings. The more your child’s medical team know about what he or she swallowed, the more equipped they are to address the problem.</p> <h2>Take Preventive Measures</h2> <p><a href="http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/safety-poisoning.html">Prevent accidental poisonings</a> when possible with some basic precautions:</p> <p>• Keep all household cleaners and poisonous substances in cabinets above the counters. If you must store cleaners like dishwasher fluid under the sink, install toddler-proof locks.<br /> • Always ensure that child-proof lids on medication bottles are secured tightly. Because children are sometimes able to open these, an added measure of caution would be to keep them out of reach.<br /> • Try <a href="http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm">natural alternatives to insect and pest control</a>. Never put traps within reach of children.<br /> • Keep remotes out of reach of children, as they can contain “button” batteries that can be harmful if swallowed.<br /> • Constantly survey your home and any other place where your children spend time for potential threats.</p> <p>Poisoning can have devastating consequences, but with a calm head and a preventive approach, you can keep your children safe from dangerous substances.</p> </div></div></div> Wed, 29 Jun 2016 22:46:49 +0000 EricRoden 49770 at https://www.kidsinthehouse.com https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/ericroden/what-to-do-if-your-child-swallows-something-poisonous#comments