Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Prevent Summer Tragedies----NEVER Leave Your Kids Alone in a Car

Did you know that a child’s body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s?  Visit Safe Kids.org to learn how hot your car's temperature can increase in just 10 minutes!

Preventing injuries: at home, at play, and on the way.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

We added a new site under our Favorite Links!

Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Adolescents.  This resource will provide you with science-based recommendations to help persons aged 6 years or older improve their health through physical activity.

Friday, June 11, 2010

New Bill to Ban Sugary Drinks at Child Care

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/state&id=7466582

Infant Death Prompts Recall

NEWS from CPSC


U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

1. Infant Death Prompts Recall of Ring Slings Made by Sprout Stuff Due to Suffocation Risk

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Sprout Stuff, of Austin, Texas, is announcing the recall of about 40 Sprout Stuff infant ring slings. CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using these slings due to a risk of suffocation to infants.

CPSC and Sprout Stuff are aware of one report of a death of a 10-day-old boy in the recalled sling in Round Rock, Texas in 2007.

The Sprout Stuff infant ring sling is fabric/natural muslin and comes with or without a shoulder pad. The sling is worn by parents and caregivers to carry a child up to two years of age. "Sprout Stuff" is printed on the back side of the tail's hem.

Sprout Stuff sold the recalled infant slings, which were made in the United States, directly to consumers between October 2006 and May 2007 for between $35 and $45. Sprout Stuff is directly contacting known purchasers of the recalled infant slings.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled slings and contact Sprout Stuff to return the sling for a full refund. Contact Sprout Stuff toll-free at (877) 319-3103 anytime, email the firm at sproutstuffrefunds@gmail.com or contact the firm by mail at Sprout Stuff Refunds, P.O. Box 612, Buda, Texas 78610.

Do not attempt to fix these carriers.

Additional Message from CPSC: On March 12, 2010, CPSC issued a warning about sling carriers for babies. Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling's fabric can press against an infant's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate. CPSC has determined that a mandatory standard is needed for infant sling carriers. While a mandatory standard is being developed, CPSC staff is working with ASTM International and concerned companies such as Infantino to quickly develop an effective voluntary standard for slings. There currently are no safety standards for infant sling carriers.

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10254.html

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 319-3103

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Know the FACTS before you head to the pool for Summer Fun!!

Knowing the basic facts about recreational water illnesses (RWIs) can make the difference between an enjoyable time at the pool, beach, or water park, and getting a rash, having diarrhea, or developing other, potentially serious illnesses. 

http://www.dhss.mo.gov/RecreationalWater/HealthySwimmingBrochure.pdf

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Free continuing education on Autism

Autism Module from the Thompson Center


Free continuing education on Autism is available on the Thompson Center website. This on-line training will fulfill one clock hour of credit for child care providers. CCHCs may wish to access and review this module. We may work with the Thompson Center to create a Lesson Plan for group training. See information about the on-line module below.

A free online training module on Understanding Autism in Young Children is now available

This module is an overview of the characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the criteria used to diagnose children with ASD. Family members, childcare providers, school personnel and others who interact with young children are encouraged to take this training module to learn more about the signs of ASD. The is hosted on the University of Missouri Extension website. To view the training you will need to register for an Extension Passport and select the Understanding Autism course to view. There is no charge for the Passport or to view the training. It is recommended that you bookmark the module once you have logged into to view it. To log back into the module once you have begun it, click here. The module is also available in DVD format for use by training professionals, click to download a dvd order form.

The Understanding Autism training was developed by the Mid-Missouri Rapid Response Initiative, which is funded by the Missouri Department of Mental Health Division of Developmental Disabilities. An online module was created from the training through a partnership with the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelpomental Disorders, University of Missouri Extension, and the Division of Developmental Disabilities Office of Autism Services