• Enter your email address to receive notifications of new Safe Kids New Jersey posts.

    Join 23 other followers

  • Photos

    Iesah

    Concussion Safety Bill

    Denville Rodeo

    Safe Kids Middlesex County-Safe Kids Fair

    Safe Kids Middlesex County-Safe Kids Fair Volunteers

    Safe Kids Middlesex County Walk This Way

    Safe Kids Essex County Walk This Way

    Safe Kids Bergen County Walk This Way

    Safe Kids New Jersey Celebrates 20 Years

    Monmouth County Safe Kids Block Party

    More Photos

Free Sports Safety Clinics

Posted on February 23, 2011 by SafeKidsNJ

Safe Kids Middlesex County, led by The Level One Trauma Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick will partner with the Metuchen School District and Johnson & Johnson to conduct two free sports safety clinics on February, 24th and 28th in the cafeteria at Metuchen High School.

The Feb. 24 session will take place at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the community, including parents, teenage athletes, recreation staff, YMCA coaches and team volunteers.  The Feb. 28 session is set for 3:15 p.m. and is aimed at middle and high school faculty and staff.

Both clinics will feature presentations from Timothy Hosea, a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Robert Wood Johnson, and Lauren Butler, Metuchen’s certified athletic trainer. A panel discussion will follow that also will include Lawrence Golbe, a Metuchen resident and professor of neurology at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the hospital, and John Cathcart, Metuchen’s athletic director.

Topics will include: concussion prevention and screening methods, importance of pre-participation physicals, proper hydration and spotting cardiac events, overuse injury prevention techniques, and appropriate gear and equipment.

For further information contact Diana Starace, diana.starace@rwjuh.edu or call 732-418-8026.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Essex County Coordinator Honored

Posted on February 10, 2011 by SafeKidsNJ

Iesha Suber, Essex County Safe Kids Coordinator and Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator at the New Jersey Trauma Center was recently presented with the 2010 Health Educator of the Year Award by the New Jersey Society for Public Health Education (NJSOPHE).  This award recognizes a dedicated member of NJSOPHE who has shown an active commitment to Health Education and the organization through demonstrated involvement in NJSOPHE and excellence in the practice of Health Education.  Congratulations Iesha on this well deserved honor!

Pictured above  from left to right:  Dawn Snyder, Pedestrian Safety Health Educator; Iesha Suber, Chair, NJSOPHE Program Committee and Safe Kids Essex County Coordinator and Robin Vlamis, Chair, NJSOPHE Awards & Scholarship Committee.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Dunellen Makes Strides in Pedestrian Safety

Posted on February 10, 2011 by SafeKidsNJ

In celebration of International Walk Your Child to School Month, Middlesex County Safe Kids held a  pedestrian safety poster contest at Faber Elementary School in Dunellen.   Students in all grades were invited to submit an entry focusing on the theme of Pedestrian Safety, utilizing the medium of their choice. Over 30 entries were received and  judged by a panel of experts. Winners from each grade were chosen and have been recognized with a Walk this Way t-shirt and certificate.   The winners, as pictured in the photograph (clockwise) are : Chloe Dale, Stephanie Fetzer, Irene Perez, Melissa Klezer, Shwta Iyer, Jenthel Eliza Reyes, Aayushi Shah, and Faroyza Elsayed. Not pictured is Nya Lambert.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Get into the Game with Safety With the New Jersey Devils!

Posted on February 7, 2011 by SafeKidsNJ

Join us as Safe Kids New Jersey and New Jersey Dental Association promote sports safety and dental health with Mouth Guard Night on Friday, February 11, 2011 when the New Jersey Devils play the San Jose Sharks at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.  Game time is 7:00 pm.  All kids under 16 will receive a free custom fit mouth guard courtesy of Henry Schein®.  Don’t miss the fun.  Get your half-priced tickets now!  Proceeds go to Safe Kids New Jersey for statewide sports safety education.

If you want more information on the event go to  SafeKids/NJDevils or you can purchase your tickets now by going to: www.newjerseydevils.com\njda   (Be sure to use the Special Offer Code: njda).  

Safe Kids New Jersey reminds you to be sure you wear the proper safety gear when you play! 

PREPARE…..PREVENT…..PLAY

 

 

SafeKids/NJDevils

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Safety In and Around Cars

Posted on February 7, 2011 by SafeKidsNJ

Students and teachers from the Gifted and Talented Program at Grace Wilday Junior High School, Roselle, NJ join executives at Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters for a Business Roundtable to unveil their findings on Safety In and Around Cars. 

Safety In and Around Cars, a statewide initiative of Safe Kids New Jersey funded by the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, addresses proper restraint use and preventing trunk entrapment, back-overs, heat related injuries and proper driver/passenger behavior.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Winter Sports Safety

Posted on January 6, 2011 by SafeKidsNJ

With snow comes outdoor activities like sled riding, skiing, snowboarding and ice skating. Thousands of children suffer injuries during these activities that may be prevented.

Helmets are essential for many outdoor winter activities. The risk of head injury is too great to leave the helmet in a closet at home. Helmets prevent or reduce the effects of 53 percent of the head injuries suffered by children while skiing or snowboarding.

Children should bundle up and enjoy the outdoors. Before heading out, it is important to remember a few key items in addition to the hat and gloves.

Safety Tip

Top Winter Safety Tips

  • Always wear sport-specific, properly fitting safety gear when participating in winter sports.
  • Kids should always wear helmets when they ski, sled, snowboard and play ice hockey. There are different helmets for different activities.
  • Parents should wear helmets too. Remember, your children learn safety habits by watching you.
  • Dress in layers and wear warm, close-fitting clothes. Make sure that long scarves are tucked in so they don’t get entangled in lifts, ski poles or other equipment.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink fluids before, during and after winter play.
  • Kids — or caregivers — who become distracted or irritable, or begin to hyperventilate, may be suffering from hypothermia or altitude sickness, or they may be too tired to participate safely in winter sports. They need to go indoors to warm up and rest.
  • Children under 6 should not ride a snowmobile, and nobody under 16 should drive one. All snowmobile drivers and passengers should wear helmets designed for high-speed motor sports. A bike helmet isn’t sufficient for a four-wheeled motorcycle that can go up to 90 miles per hour.

Filed under: Safe Kids Safety Tips | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Governor Chris Christie Signs Comprehensive Concussion Safety Bill to Protect New Jersey’s Student-Athletes

Posted on December 8, 2010 by SafeKidsNJ

NFL Commissioner, Owners of NY Giants and NY Jets,  Former NFL Players, Legislators, Safe Kids NJ, Brain Injury Association of NJ and others join Governor Christie for Bill Signing Ceremony

Governor Chris Christie signed A-2743, legislation to protect and prevent concussions in student-athletes across New Jersey’s interscholastic youth sports programs. The bill adopts a multi-faceted approach, requiring the Department of Education (DOE) to develop an interscholastic athletic head injury safety training program to be completed by school physicians, coaches and athletic trainers of public and nonpublic school interscholastic sports programs.

“We’ve all seen the tragic results that can occur from sports-related concussions in both student and professional athletes. It’s our obligation and responsibility to put the health and safety of our children first, and use the best research and evidence to protect them in the most effective way possible,” said Governor Christie. “I’m proud to sign this forward-looking and comprehensive safety measure into law to ensure that the health and well-being of our young athletes comes first with increased education, awareness and prevention.”

The program that will be developed by the Department of Education will include the recognition of symptoms of head and neck injuries, and will address the appropriate amount of time a student-athlete must wait before returning to sports competition or practice after sustaining an injury. In addition, it will help ensure that school physicians, coaches and athletic trainers are properly trained to be able to identify a concussion as well as utilize the proper response during interscholastic sporting events. Each school district, with the assistance of DOE, will be required to develop a written policy concerning the prevention and treatment of sports-related concussions and other head injuries among student-athletes.  Currently, there is no uniform method of handling suspected concussions in interscholastic sports.

“We appreciate Governor Christie’s meaningful and proactive stand on protecting our young athletes by signing this comprehensive concussion safety legislation today,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “By improving education, training and treatment, we can increase concussion awareness and work to prevent these injuries among our youngest athletes, not only in football, but in all sports.”.

Concussions are caused by a blow or motion to the head or body that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain and can cause significant and sustained neuropsychological impairments. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur every year.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Avoid Decorating Dangers

Posted on November 30, 2010 by SafeKidsNJ

In addition to food, family, and gifts, decorations are one of the highlights of the holiday season. While candles, Christmas trees, and other decorations are part of the holiday spirit, they can pose fire and poisoning hazards, especially to curious children.

The holidays are a time for spending with family and friends, not for rushing to the emergency room. Once all of your decorations are up, keep a close eye on both children and the decorations themselves.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season.

Follow some simple safety tips to protect your family and your home.

Safety Tip

Top Safety Tips

If you decorate a tree, avoid these top decorating mistakes:

  • Decorate with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that have small parts or metal hooks, or look like food or candy, on the lower branches where small children can reach them.
  • Trim protruding branches at or below a child’s eye level, and keep lights out of reach.
  • Natural trees always involve some risk of fire. To minimize the risk, get a fresh tree and keep it watered at all times. Do not put the tree within three feet of a fireplace, space heater, radiator or heat vent.
  • Never leave a lit tree or other decorative lighting display unattended.
  • Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections and broken sockets.
  • Do not overload extension cords or outlets and do not run an electrical cord under a rug.
  • Do not burn tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in a home fireplace.   

Top tips to prevent poisoning this holiday season:

  • Keep alcohol, including baking extracts, out of reach and do not leave alcoholic drinks unattended.
  • Color additives used in fireplace fires are a toxic product and should be stored out of reach.
  • Artificial snow can be harmful if inhaled, so use it in a well-vented space.
  • Mistletoe berries, Holly Berry and Jerusalem Cherry can be poisonous. If they are used in decorating, make sure children and pets cannot reach it.
  • In a poison emergency, call the national Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.

Filed under: Safe Kids Safety Tips | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

Don’t Toy With Safety

Posted on November 29, 2010 by SafeKidsNJ

Naturally, you want your children to have a safe play environment with safe toys.  Did you know that in 2009, there were an estimated 181,900 toy-related injuries?  And that children under 5 accounted for nearly half of these injuries? 

Do your children like small play balls and balloons? These kinds of toys account for many choking deaths.  Do your children like riding toys – unpowered scooters or tricycles?  They are associated with more injuries than any other toy group; in fact half of the toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms were caused by unpowered riding toys.  In addition to other hazards, any electrical toy is a potential burn hazard. 

Make sure your children play safely by following some simple safety tips.

Top Toy Safety Tips

  • Be sure your children play with toys that are age-appropriate.  Read the warning labels before buying toys for your children.
  • Look for well-made toys
  • Check toys regularly for damage that could create hazards.  Repair or discard damaged toys immediately.
  • Make sure that discarded toys are out of children’s reach.
  • Watch your children while they play.  Be aware of potential dangers like small parts, cords and strings, moving parts, electrical or battery-powered cords or wheels
  • Do not allow riding toys near stairs, traffic or swimming pools
  • Teach children to put toys away after playing.  Toys intended for younger children should be stored separately from those suitable for older children
  • Make sure toy chests are open (no lid) or have safety hinges.

Filed under: Safe Kids Safety Tips | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Keep Your Children Safe in the Kitchen – Thanksgiving and Year Round

Posted on November 12, 2010 by SafeKidsNJ

Did you know cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States, with unattended cooking on the stovetop the leading cause?  Not surprising, Thanksgiving Day has almost three times the daily average number of cooking fires.   In fact, Thanksgiving Day fires in residential structures cause more property damage and claim more lives than residential structure fires on other days.

Because young children may not recognize danger or may lack the ability to escape a life-threatening burn situation, parents need to take the necessary precautions to make sure their children are not exposed to items that may cause fires or burns.

Safe Kids New Jersey offers these safety tips to help parents keep their children safe in the kitchen on Thanksgiving and throughout the year.         

Prevent Cooking Fires

  • Never leave hot food or appliances unattended while cooking. If you are frying, grilling or broiling food stay in the kitchen.  If you are baking, boiling, or simmering food, check food frequently.
  • Always be alert when you are cooking.  If you are under the influence of medication or alcohol, avoid using the stove or stovetop.
  • Keep anything that can catch on fire at least 3 feet from the stove, toaster oven, or other heat source. 
  • Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean.
  • Do not wear loose fitting clothes when you are cooking as they may catch fire from the stovetop.

Prevent burns and scalds

  • To prevent hot food or liquid spills, use the stove’s back burner and/or turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge.
  • Keep appliance cords coiled, away from the counter edges and out of children’s reach, especially if the appliances contain hot foods or liquids. 
  • Use oven mitts or potholders when carrying hot food.
  • Open hot containers from the microwave slowly and away from your face.
  • Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.

Keep Your Kids Safe

  • Create a 3 foot Kid Free Zone around the stove. Young children should be more than 3 feet from any place where there is hot food, drinks, pans or trays.
  • Never hold a child while cooking, carrying or drinking hot foods or liquids.
  • Hot foods and items should be kept from the edge of counters and tables.
  • Do not use a tablecloth or placemat if very young children are in the home.
  • When children are old enough, teach them to cook safely and always with help from an adult.

Filed under: Safe Kids Safety Tips | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.