Pediatrics: Child Safety

[ CAR SEAT SAFETY ] [ POISONING ] [ BURNS ] [ HEAD TRAUMA ] [ CHOKING ] [ DOSING GUIDES ]

Accidents are the biggest cause of death in childhood. Accidents mostly occur at home or in the family car. Most accidents are preventable. This is the best treatment we have. All parents are encouraged to take CPR training.

 

Car Seat Safety
Promoting Child Passenger Safety one buckle at a time... Collaborating with the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the Injury Free Coalition for KIDS!

For information about local car seat checkpoints or for general car seat information:

Websites:

 

Seatbelts and approved infant car seats save lives and decrease the frequency of serious injury in children. Children sitting loose in the car, or held in the lap, become flying missles in a collision or a sudden stop. They also do not tolerate head injury as well as an adult. Every child, starting with the trip home from the hospital nursery, should be secured by a car seat fixed into the seat belt system of the car. Child restraints should be used every time the child rides in the car. Child safety seats are now recommended until the child is 60-80 lbs. *Children in car seats should never be placed in the front of the car if there are air bags.

 

Poisoning
Child Poisoning

Once children become mobile (crawling, walking) poisoning from household medications, cleaners, polishes and gasoline are another major cause of death and injury. Children are explorers and will often place anything into the mouth and eyes, or handle anything with their hands. All medications, including ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, iron and vitamins, should be kept locked up and out of reach. These very common drugs can be lethal when taken in large amounts. Chemicals, including furniture polish, cleaners, detergents, bleaches, paint and all petroleum products should be kept in their original containers and stored in a safe place. Electrical outlets should be covered with dummy plugs.

 

Even children of the best intentioned parents who keep their child under constant supervision, can still ingest potential poison. If this happens, notify us immediately, or call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. All families should call their doctor or poison control center and follow their directions.

 

In case of poisoning, the physician you call will want to know the time of the ingestion, the estimated amount taken, and your child's weight, age and current condition. If you are asked to come to the office or hospital ER, bring the container and remaining contents of the ingested substance with you.

 

Burns

Burns are another frequent kind of injury. Be wary of hot beverages, hot tap water, pot handles on the stove, matches, and flammable substances around the home. Keep your home water heater set at the lowest setting, or at or below 120 degrees. If your child is burned and the injury is more than just a little redness, you should call the office. Placing cold water immediately on the burned skin helps to minimize the injury. Second degree burns have blisters, and third degree burns involve charring of the full thickness of skin. These more serious burns may be temporarily covered with a cold wet clean cloth before the child is treated by the physician. Never apply a greasy substance to the involved area.

 

Head Trauma

Children often experience bumps and bruises to their head. If this should happen, try to remain calm and be observant of your child's behavior. Be sure to call any time you observe any of the following.

Most children become sleepy after head trauma, especially if they were quite upset or cried very hard. It is okay to let them fall asleep, but please awaken them every 1-2 hours for the first 24 hours after the accident to be sure they are arousable. Call immediately if you observe any of the above symptoms.

 

Remember to keep phone numbers for physician, poison control, hospital near your phone, and to make sure baby sitters have these numbers in addition to knowing how to get hold of you if needed.

 

Choking

Don't give hard candy, peanuts, popcorn, grapes, gum or other small hard food to children less than 5 years old since they can choke on these items. We recommend that parents, as well as all care givers, take a CPR class for infants and children.

 

Dosing Guides
ACETAMINOPHEN DOSING GUIDE
Concentration on Label 80 mg/0.8mL
Concentrated Drops		 160 mg/5mL 80 mg each 160 mg each
DOSE Dropperful Volume Tablet Tablet
Weight Age Under 2 months of age, only give if advised by medical provider
6–11 lbs. — 0.4mL — — —
12–17 lbs. — 0.8mL ½ (TSP) = 2.5mL — —
18–23 lbs. — 0.8 + 0.4mL ¾ (TSP) = 3.75mL — —
24–35 lbs. 2–3 yrs 0.8 + 0.8mL 1 (TSP) = 5mL 2 tablets —
36–47 lbs. 4–5 yrs — 1 ½ (TSP) = 7.5mL 3 tablets —
48–59 lbs. 6–8 yrs — 2 (TSP) = 10mL 4 tablets 2 tablets
60–71 lbs. 9–10 yrs — 2 ½ (TSP) = 12.5mL 5 tablets 2 ½ tablets
72–95 lbs. 11 yrs — 3 (TSP) = 15mL 6 tablets 3 tablets
96 lbs & over 12 yrs — — — 4 tablets

IBUPROFEN DOSING GUIDE
Concentration on Label 50 mg/1.25mL
Concentrated Drops		 100 mg/5mL 50 mg 100 mg 100 mg
DOSE Dropperful Volume Tablet Tablet Caplet
Weight Age Under 6 months of age not recommended
12–17 lbs.   1 – (1.25mL) — — — —
18–23 lbs.   1 ½ – (1.875mL) — — — —
24–35 lbs. 2–3 yrs — 1 (TSP) = 5mL 2 tablets — —
36–47 lbs. 4–5 yrs — 1 ½ (TSP) = 7.5mL 3 tablets — —
48–59 lbs. 6–8 yrs — 2 (TSP) = 10mL 4 tablets 2 tablets 2 capsules
60–71 lbs. 9–10 yrs — 2 ½ (TSP) = 12.5mL 5 tablets 2 ½ tablets 2 ½ capsules
72–95 lbs. 11 yrs — 3 (TSP) = 15mL 6 tablets 3 tablets 3 capsules

Please pay close attention to the concentration of the product you have. Infant brand name Tylenol is no longer being made, but there are still some store brand products of the concentrated drops. Store brand concentrated drops are being phased out as well.