Boo or BooHoo?

Knock. Knock.
Who's there?
BOO.
BOO WHO?
WHY ARE YOU CRYING?


Thank you Nicholas (my 10 year old) for that Halloween knock knock but the truth is safety is no joke. Know the best way to make sure your little one's BOO doesn't turn into BOO-HOO this Halloween? You got it... Prevention, Prevention, Prevention.

Your Top 5 Halloween Injury Prevention List

1. Bleeding Prevention
- Carving Jack-o-lanterns is super fun but can also be super dangerous if not properly supervised. Walk with me through the scene- Pumpkins? Check. Excited children? Check. Large sharp knives and saws? Check. Of course your kid wants to help carve and of course he thinks he's big enough to do it without your help. Not to don my Grinch costume but the truth is small children shouldn't be allowed to use a sharp knife or saw (at all) and older children should only be allowed to with close supervision (one adult:one child). I suggest buying one of the many kits available that come with tiny saws rather than using the family butcher knife. They are safer than knives although you can be cut by them as well. Little ones can still have lots of fun cleaning out the pumpkin and drawing a face on it, which you can carve for them. I'm not promising you won't have a small boo-hoo when you announce that you will be carving and not them, but I will promise that kind of boo-hoo won't send you to your local Emergency Department.

- Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on.

2. Allergy Prevention
- If you're hosting a Halloween party this year check and see if anyone attending the party has food allergies to peanuts, dairy, shell fish to name a few. Many children with severe allergies carry epi (epinephrenine) pens. Make sure you know where the pen is kept and how to use it just in case. If you don't feel comfortable make sure the child is accompanied by a parent or caregiver who is.

- Avoid any candy with peanuts in your "give away" bowl.

- Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you. When your child is little, supervision of "candy eating" is important for multiple reasons- to insure the candy has not been tampered with as well as to oversee potential allergic reactions and choking episodes.

3. Poisoning
- Dry Ice is wonderfully spooky for parties. It's recommended however if using dry ice in a punch bowl, make sure you keep any dry ice chips out of drinks as it can cause severe injury if ingested. I recommend not putting the dry ice in the punch bowl (makes sense to keep the poison out of things my children are drinking). You can still use the dry ice for effect, just put it in it's own cauldron and instruct children not to touch.

4. Burns
- Outdoor Jack-o'-lanterns with lit candles should be kept away from where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from anything that could be ignited- decorations, window treatments, coats, etc.

- Your child's costume should be fire resistant and free of loose flowing materials that could potentially brush over candles and catch on fire.

5. Pedestrian Accidents
- Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

- Check that the eye holes on costumes and masks are large enough for good peripheral vision.

- Teach your kids basic everyday safety and remind them how the following rules apply to Halloween nights as well as daily living.

Don't get into cars or talk to strangers.
Don't run out into streets.
Do watch both ways before crossing streets.
Do cross only when the lights tell you to.
Do walk on sidewalks rather than on the street.
Do hold the hand of an adult when crossing busy intersections.

- Small children should never be allowed to go out alone on Halloween.

Btw, still looking for your own halloween costume? If you follow these tips, you can proudly announce that this Halloween you are going as the "safest Mom in the neighborhood". Share your knowledge and help keep this Halloween SAFE and HAPPY for everyone.

Wednesday's Results...

Which two are true and which one is not?

1. Babies can drown in only 1 inch of water. True

Unbelievable but believe it! One inch of water is enough water for your baby to drown. When it comes to water safety think beyond pools, lakes and bath tubs... think toilets, buckets of water, coolers, mop water. Do not leave your baby alone around water even briefly. We've all been tempted by the ease of "it'll just take a minute and I'll be right back, but many a drowning story started just like that. Don't risk it, take your baby with you or stay with your child.

2. Pools are where most infant drownings occur. False

Pools can pose a significant drowning risk but are not where most infant drownings occur (see #3). If you have a pool or are visiting somewhere with a pool here a few ways to keep your baby safe. Seemingly simple but make sure you know where your baby/toddler is at all times. Most pool drownings occur at residential pools and parents report not knowing their child was anywhere near the pool at the time. Safety gates are only safe if they remain closed. Make sure you and everyone who uses the pool closes the gate. Start teaching pool safety rules early and have baby where a life jacket. Designate one adult at a time to be a vigilant "lifeguard". Trade shifts as often as necessary but be clear who is responsible for what amount of time because inevitably on a busy fun summer day we all think someone else is watching.

3. Bathtubs are where most infant drownings occur. True

More than half of infant drownings occur in the bath tub. Once again, don't leave your baby alone in the bathtub ever, ever, ever. Make sure that you and everyone who cares for your baby follows this simple lifesaving rule.

know more. worry less.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's topic- Drowning

Which 2 are true, which one is not?

1. Babies can drown in only 1 inch of water.

2. Pools are where most infant drownings takes place.

3. Bathtubs are where most infant drownings takes place.

Want to make a guess? I'll post the answers tomorrow.

This EPA website is a summer must for all families!

Check out todays UV index for your city at http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html

Wednesday's Results...

Which two are true and which one is not?

1. You won't get a sunburn on a cloudy day so no need for sunblock. FALSE

Sunburns are caused by UV radiation not "sunshine". You can get a sunburn

even when the sun is behind the clouds. UV rays are usually most dangerous between the hours of 11 am- 3 pm. Sunblock, sunblock and more sunblock!

2. Hats keep out 50% of UV radiation. TRUE

Don't forget the sunblock on your face but throw a hat on for extra protection. This is great not only for children but for preggy moms and/or postpartum moms if you have the "pregnancy mask". The sun accentuates the hormonally induced color changes on your face. If you neglect your skin during the time, that "mask" can be extremely difficult for you and your dermatologist to get rid of.

3. Keep babies under 6 months old out of the sun. Really. TRUE

Your baby's skin is thinner than yours and therefore burns more quickly than adult skin.

So if you have to be out with your 6 month old (or younger) for the day, what should you do? Dress him/her in light loose clothing, have a parasol on the carriage, have them wear a hat and keep them in the shade.

know more. worry less.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's topic- Sun Smarts

Which 2 are true, which one is not?

1. You won't get a sunburn on a cloudy day so no need for sunblock.

2. Hats keep out 50% of UV radiation.

3. Keep babies under 6 months old out of the sun. Really.

Want to make a guess? I'll post the answers tomorrow.

A mother saves her six week old baby- an inspiring story.

Wednesday's Results... on Friday.

Which two are true and which one is not?

1. Give a cool alcohol bath to treat heat exhaustion. FALSE
The days of alcohol baths are long gone. Pediatricians no longer recommend this practice as the alcohol absorption may have toxic effects.

2. Heat exhaustion untreated may lead to heat stroke. TRUE
Signs of heat exhaustion:
pale, moist skin, usually a fever over 103 degrees, nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps
Signs of heat stroke:
red, dry skin, usually a fever over 105 degrees, nausea, vomiting, headache, lethargy, rapid heart rate, seizures, coma and death are possible.

What should you do?
heat exhaustion: remove excess clothing, move to a cool place to rest, try to give fluids. If your child is unable to drink, IV fluids are most likely necessary- call you pediatrician.
heat stroke: remove excess clothing, move to a cool place to rest, try to give fluids, place ice bags under arms and on groin. Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and needs to be treated by a physician, call 911 if you think your child is suffering from heat stroke.

3. Leaving children in a hot car- even for a brief period of time (yea, hi mom & dad- gotta love parenting in the 70's!) can lead to heat exhaustion. TRUE
Leaving a child in a hot car can indeed lead to heat exhaustion and if for any period of time will lead to heat stroke which can be fatal. Never, ever, ever leave your child in a car.

know more. worry less.

National CPR & AED Awareness Week is June 1-7.

The American Heart Association set a goal to train 1 million people in CPR and help save more lives from cardiac arrest. Have you taken a class? If your child, mother, husband collapsed in front of you, would you know what to do? Could you save a life? Here's a link to CPR courses all over the United States- sign up today!

NYC parents- In honor of National CPR & AED week I'll be offering reduced rates on my group in home CPR training and will also give a free baby MEDBASICS travel pack to each participant. Just call 917-353-1932 or e-mail tara@babymedbasics.com to find out more.

know more. worry less.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non-truth

Fun In The Sun Can Be Exhausting! 

Today's topic- Heat Exhaustion and your kids...

Which 2 are true, which one is not? 

1. Give a cool alcohol bath to treat heat exhaustion.

2. Heat exhaustion untreated may lead to heat stroke.

3. Leaving children in a hot car- even for a brief period of time (yea, hi mom & dad- gotta love parenting in the 70's!) can lead to heat exhaustion.

Want to make a guess? I'll post the answers tomorrow.

Join Us This Tuesday!
MEDBASICS at Baby Bites NYC
June 2, 2009 12-2 pm

	Every mom who attends this luncheon will take home a travel pack, your essential what to do guide to infant emergencies on the go.

If your baby

is choking...

stops breathing...

is bleeding...

Do you know what to do? Does your babysitter?

Don't worry, if your baby needs medical help you can do it and Luke Hermann MD and Tara Summers-Hermann RN, BSN will show you how.

Discover the most common choking hazards and how the steps to saving your infant are different than saving your toddler. Learn why you hold direct pressure to a cut and find out the truth about tourniquets. When your baby has a fever, know when to call the doctor and how high is too high. Find out how to create a safer environment for your little one.

Other topics include SIDS, animal bites, falls, drowning, and allergic reactions.

Knowledge = Love

Love your baby, know what to do.

Tara Summers-Hermann, RN, BSN is the co-founder and President of MEDBASICS, LLC. After years of specializing in Cardiology , she traded full time nursing for full time motherhood with the birth of her first son, Nicholas. After a choking episode involving her son, she and her physician husband started MEDBASICS, LLC. Tara is an AHA Certified BCLS instructor with her primary focus being infant and toddler CPR/ first-aid courses. She lives in New York City with her husband Luke and 2 sons, Nicholas and Oliver. Luke Hermann, MD is the co-founder and Vice-President of MEDBASICS, LLC. Dr. Hermann is a practicing emergency physician on academic faculty at a major New York Hospital.

Wednesday's Results...

Which two are true and which one is not?

1. Brain damage from lack of oxygen (when your baby stops breathing) begins in 4 minutes and death shortly thereafter. TRUE

This statistic is why it is crucial to begin care as soon as possible when your child stops breathing. The American Heart Association states, if you are alone with your child, give 2 minutes of CPR then call 911. If someone else is with you have them call 911 while you begin giving CPR. A lot of parents believe that calling 911 is enough... it's not.

2. The average time for EMS to respond to a 911 call is 8 minutes. TRUE

There have been several studies conducted through the years regarding EMS response time. One interesting article I found was written by Gary Ludwig MS, EMT-P entitled, "EMS Response Time Standards" . Ludwig states, "First, there is no federal law regarding response times, and, after doing thorough research, I cannot find any state laws that pertain to response times. There are some contractual agreements between EMS providers and political subdivisions that stipulate response times, and some political subdivisions enter and ratify these contractual agreements into ordinances. But most of the contractual agreements or ordinances are directed toward private EMS providers. Most of these communities have established standards of eight minutes or less 90% of the time for ALS service. Some municipalities, especially in California, have even moved response time standards to 12 or 15 minutes for private EMS providers 90% of the time, but these are usually coordinated with ALS first response."

Parents, combine the information from question 1 with this knowledge and now you have a solid statistical reason for why you and everyone you know should be able to save your baby if necessary. Know what to do.

3. When trying to clear a blocked airway, if the object hasn't been removed after 5 minutes you should just stop trying. FALSE

If the obstruction is caused by food, it may start dissolving and become dislodged. No matter what the obstruction, becoming unconscious allows your baby's airway to relax slightly making it easier to clear the object. Do not give up. Remember medical help is on the way.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non-truth
It's about TIME!

1. Brain damage from lack of oxygen (when your baby stops breathing) begins in 4 minutes and death shortly thereafter.
2. The average time for EMS to respond to a 911 call is 8 minutes.
3. When trying to clear a blocked airway, if the object hasn't been removed after 5 minutes you should just stop trying.

Which 2 are true, which one is not? I'll post the answers tomorrow.

One More Bicycle Safety Tip You Must Share With Your Little Ones...

Oliver (my 2 year old) and I were headed to Central Park Wednesday morning for a lovely game of mommy-son baseball. Per usual, he was riding his like-a-bike, helmet on, wearing brightly colored clothing, following "the rules" and looking absolutely darling doing it. 

We had the walk signal and were crossing the street when all of a sudden he stopped right in the middle of Columbus Avenue... would not move. Wouldn't go back to where we started, wouldn't finish crossing the street to where we were going. The light was still red but cars were beginning to line up across the 3 lanes that make up Columbus. "Come on Ollie, lets go play baseball... come Oliver... hurry up Love, it's almost the cars turn to go..." Oliver by this point has whole heartedly committed to this impromptu game of chicken and after several requests I begin to feel panicked. "Why is he doing this?" I think as he's yelling at me in his 2 year old voice to "NO, go, just go". I realize I am totally having one of those "mom moments" that other people looooove to judge (and they were, believe me) but also realize my son is in real danger. So what the hell, I gave them a whole show... not only is my 2 year old sitting on his bike in the middle of traffic (light is going to change any minute- what mom allows that to happen?) but yes, this 2 year old has the angry screaming mother who then proceeds to lift & carry him by one arm, the like-a-bike in the other hand and run to the other side of the street... continuing to yell even after the goal of safety had been met. Yep, pretty proud moment for me. 

Ahhhh, but there in lies the last bicycle safety tip... safety first kiddos- we moms will do anything to keep you safe. So please sweet children if you ever, ever decide to stop your bike in the middle of a busy street, know that your mother will show up as a total crazy person, yanking you to safety, screaming all the way. Do you really want that? 

Real tip: When crossing the street (after stopping, looking and listening) your goal is to get to the other side of the street as quickly as possible... no dilly dallying in the street... ever.

know more. worry less.

Wednesday's results...

Which two are true and which one is not? Guest blogger (and fantastic husband, super father, amazing doctor) Luke Hermann answers our allergy questions today...

1. Most allergic reactions are triggered by food, medications or insect stings.  TRUE

2. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include a rash, difficulty breathing, dizziness and abdominal cramps/diarrhea.  TRUE

Allergic reactions can manifest with symptoms in almost any organ system including the skin, pulmonary, cardiovascular, nervous AND yes, the gastrointestinal system.

3. Severe (life threatening) allergic reactions only occur in people who have had a previous allergic reaction to the same substance.  FALSE

Although a true allergic reaction requires a previous exposure to an allergen, the first time a person develops symptoms (i.e. an allergic reaction), those symptoms can be very severe and life threatening. This is important because we tend to think of allergic reactions as getting more severe with each exposure and therefore may incorrectly assume that "serious" reactions will not happen without the warning of a "milder" early allergic reaction.

know more. worry less.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's topic is... Allergic Reactions

1. Most allergic reactions are triggered by food, medications or insect stings.

2. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include a rash, difficulty breathing, dizziness and abdominal cramps/diarrhea.

3. Severe (life threatening) allergic reactions only occur in people who have had a previous allergic reaction to the same substance.

Can you spot the non truth? Feel free to post your guess in the comment section. 

Tomorrow I'll post which 2 are true, which one is not and why!

Wednesday's results... on Thursday.

Which two are true and which one is not?

1. ABC stands for check "Airway, Breathing and Circulation". This mnemonic serves as a reminder of what to do when helping someone during a medical emergency.   TRUE

A is for airway. 

The airway is the passage that connects the mouth to the lungs. For air to enter the lungs, the airway must remain clear. If is becomes blocked, airflow into the lungs will stop. 

B is for breathing. 

The lungs perform the job of breathing. With each breath air travels through the airway into the lungs. This air contains oxygen which is transferred to blood cells in the lungs, and then carried to the rest of the body. If airflow into the lungs stops, no oxygen gets into the bloodstream.

C is for circulation. 

Circulation refers to the blood that is pumped by the heart first to the lungs and then to the rest of the body. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients the body needs. If the heart stops pumping, blood flow to the lungs and body stops and the body can not survive.

2. The A (in ABC's) also serves as a reminder to ALWAYS call 911 FIRST in every emergency.   FALSE

The A in ABC's simply stand for airway.. that's it.  

So why is "always call 911 first in every emergency" a false statement?

If you see an adult collapse to the ground and require CPR you can bet most times it's cardiac related (Arrhythmias) . Your response per the American Heart Association is to CALL FIRST. Call 911 to activate help- you should then begin giving CPR and not stop until medical help arrives, attaches the defibrillator  & continues giving care.  Of course if someone is with you, send them to call while you begin CPR. 

In children however, a child who collapses to the ground and requires CPR does so most likely not from an arrhythmia but from respiratory arrest.  Brain damage from lack of oxygen occurs in less than 4 minutes and death shortly thereafter, therefore the American Heart Association's recommendation for children in need of CPR is to CALL FAST. Give 2 minutes of CPR before calling 911. Of course if someone is with you, send them to call while you give CPR. 

The truth is a lot of people believe that if they call 911 that's enough... job over, no worries, the end. While it's part of your response to a medical emergency, that can't be the sum total of what you do. 

3. When assisting someone during a medical emergency, you should follow the order- first A, then B and finally C.   TRUE

Absolutely follow the order, if you stop and think about it, it doesn't make any sense not to. Check the airway, then breathing, then circulation. If the airway is blocked, you won't have breathing or circulation. If the airway is open but your baby isn't breathing it won't be long before his/her heart stops beating and sure enough, no circulation. So fix first things first... open airway, make sure he or she is breathing then worry about circulation. 

know more. worry less.

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's Topic- the ABC's of emergency response

1. ABC stands for check "Airway, Breathing and Circulation". This mnemonic serves as a reminder of what to do when helping someone during a medical emergency.

2. The A (in ABC's) also serves as a reminder to ALWAYS call 911 FIRST in every emergency.

3. When assisting someone during a medical emergency, you should follow the order- first A, then B and finally C.

Can you spot the non truth? Feel free to post your guess in the comment section. Tomorrow I'll post which 2 are true, which one is not and why!

May is Bike month in NYC... a safe Sunday afternoon ride to kick things off!

Even at 2 years old, on a bike with no pedals (it's a Like-a-bike...  it should be called love-a-bike because we all really really LOVE THIS BIKE!- if you don't have one and you have a child under 5 years old, you should definitely get one), Oliver is learning that basic bike safety is a must. He knows to wear his helmet, stop at corners, watch for other bikers and people on the sidewalks but bike month in NYC has gotten me thinking about what else I should be teaching my kids about bike safety. 

I was actually surprised to learn that over 300,000 kids go to the emergency department every year for bike related injuries. Wow. So what should we be teaching them to hopefully lower that number this year? Here's a little checklist to go over with your child.

1. ALWAYS wear a helmet. Make sure the straps are fastened and that the helmet fits well, not too big, not too small. You can have a bike shop or your pediatrician check this if you have a question re: fit.

2. Wear bright clothing or place reflectors on your bicycle.

3. Wear shoes (no bare feet, no flip flops).

4. Choose paths without traffic if possible.

5. Keep you hands on the handle bars (except for when performing traffic signs for turns, etc)

6. Stop, look and listen at intersections.

7. Ride with the flow of traffic, not against.

8. Be aware if riding close to parked cars that doors may open (When we lived in Chicago, I actually saw a man get thrown from his bike from this exact thing happening... not pretty).

9. Ride with a friend or family member and help each other pay attention to your surroundings.

10. Pass other bikers and pedestrians on the left side, calling "on your left" as you go by. (Personal note: try to say "on your left" in a loud but nice voice- not like some bikers in Central Park and on the West Side Highway path... they're loud and not nice! The truth is other people are having a moment in their day just like you are. It's your responsibility to let them know you're there and you can do this in a respectful, kind way. That last part is where my 10 year old roles his eyes... feel free to do the same, I know- can't help it).

I leave you with a link to "How not to get hit by cars"

A great article outlining the most common bicycle/car accidents- top 10 

Be safe, have fun!

know more. worry less.

MEDBASICS at LA Baby & Tween Celebration

Luke and I left for LA last Friday night. The tradeshow was Saturday and Sunday, we visited friends on Monday and flew back Tuesday. All in all it was a wonderful whirlwind of a trip. 

We had a lot of fun at the show. We met so many interesting people which was my favorite part of being there. I loved, loved, loved our "neighbors" at the tradeshow. To our left was eight3one- hippest, coolest infant/toddler clothes!  Oliver was the big winner as I came home with a bag full of cute shirts for him to wear this summer and next fall. On the other side of our booth was Marta Perrone. What an amazing lady. She matches nannies with families in the LA area and is an invaluable resource to all you girls in LA. Another favorite of mine was meeting Brandi Rouse, MSW with the cradle company. She is a dynamic woman who provides moms with pediatric sleep consultations, doula & nanny placements, childbirth education and mom & baby groups. Two other helpful women I met are Alicia Sexton and Samantha Marquis. Both of these women help expecting mothers plan and be ready for the birth of your baby. If you are a mom in the LA area, seriously look these women up- I promise your life will be better for it! I could go on because there really were so many exceptional women there but the last part of my story says I should say goodnight. We arrived back in NY to 2 sick boys. Nico with a sore throat and Ollie with a high temp. Very little sleep last night as Oliver had fever dreams and I can only expect the same tonight as his last temp reading was 103.5. So, I'll keep this short and try to grab a few zzz's before my night shift starts. Once a nurse, always a nurse but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm leaving on a jet plane... (I have to admit there's a part of me that loves John Denver)

I've had that song stuck in my head all day... Getting ready for the LA Baby & Tween Celebration show this weekend so no 2 truths and a non truth this week. Isn't it amazing how much work goes into leaving town? Seriously, making sure the boys clothes are clean, groceries are ordered, diapers stocked.... My sister Lara, God love her is staying with Nico and Oliver while Luke and I are in LA. Short and sweet today as I'm off to complete a very long list of "even more things to do". Looking forward to the show- if anyone lives near LA and would like VIP tickets to the event, I have a few left over- email me at tara@babymedbasics.com and I'll send them your way!

Wednesday's results... 

which two are true and which is not?

1. Never apply ice, grease or butter to a burn.  TRUE

Never apply ice, grease or butter to a burn as they may cause more damage to the skin and 

increase the risk of infection.

2. Electrical burns don't need to be seen by a doctor unless you can see that your baby's skin has been burned.  FALSE

Evaluating the extent of an electrical burn can be difficult because internal damage can occur without visible injury to the skin. All electrical burns should be seen by a doctor.

3. Blisters that form on a burn should be left intact until seen by a doctor.  TRUE

Blisters provide a barrier to infection so leave them intact until seen by a doctor. 

know more. worry less. 

Tuesday's Two Truths and a Non Truth

Today's topic is Burns (seriously, Mr. Burns was the best of the worst burn images on google image so I went with it...)

Which one of the following is not true?

1. Never apply ice, grease or butter to a burn.

2. Electrical burns don't need to be seen by a doctor unless you can see that your baby's skin has been burned.

3. Blisters that form on a burn should be left intact until seen by a doctor.

Do you know the answer? Post your guess or comment today and find out which two are true, which one is not and why... tomorrow.

HAPPY EASTER!