A message from the Director

At KARE our mission is to end child abuse and neglect through advocacy, education and support. We offer programs that strengthen families by providing resources and tools parents and relative caregivers need in raising their children. We offer specific services to families that have experienced abuse situations, and we provide programs that prevent problems before they occur. In short, we meet families where they are.

As part of our effort to reach families, we publish a monthly article on parenting issues in The Mountaineer. Our most recent article can be viewed below. We hope that you will find this information useful and thought provoking. If you would like more information on this topic or have questions about other parenting issues, please contact us @ 456-8995.

Thank you for your interest in KARE.

Yours in service to our children,

Theresa Morgan

Parenting- Summer Fun and Safety

Now that summer is here I am sure that everyone is looking forward to traveling, sun, fun and relaxation! Parents will be busy scheduling vacations and making plans to keep their children active and occupied. Parent’s ultimate concern will be to keep our children healthy and safe throughout the summer. Jane Fennell, founder and president of Kids and Cars stated that last year 42 children in the United States died when left in hot cars. These 42 children’s deaths were completely preventable. Ms. Fennell said, “I just don’t think people truly understand how dangerous it is.” North Carolina State Representative, Alice Graham Underhill sponsored a bill as an “effort to raise awareness” that will make it a crime to leave a child under 9 years old in an unattended vehicle. North Carolina will be the 16^th state to have such a law if the law is passed by the Senate. Whether this bill becomes a law or not we can still all be vigilant in the safety of our most precious assets, our children.

Here are additional tips to help keep your children safe and healthy:

Riding Safety:

Always wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads when riding a bike, scooter, and skateboard or roller blading.

Children ages one to four (or less than 40 pounds) should ride belted and wearing a helmet.

Travel

Always strap children in a properly fitted car seat (back seat is the safest place), booster seat or seat belt when traveling by car or airplane.

Never leave children alone in a car!

Keep empty cars locked at all times.

Sun Safety

Protect your children from too much sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Wear a hat and use sunscreen (even if cloudy) with Sun Protection Factor of 15 to 30 that protects against UVA-UVB rays.

Re-apply every 60-90 minutes or after swimming.

Children under six months of age can have small amounts of sunscreen on their faces (avoid mouth and eyes) and backs of their hands.

Select sunglasses for children that provide 100 percent UV protection.

Provide plenty of fluids; water is best.

Water Safety

Never leave children alone in or near the water! Have adults take turns being "child watchers" at family events.

Toy floats and air mattresses do not keep children safe, use life vests for boating and swimming. Young children need to wear life vests even when just playing near water.

Teach your children to swim.

Children should only swim where a lifeguard or experienced swimmer is watching.

Pools should be enclosed with a four sided, four feet high (minimum), self-latching, secure fence.

Ponds, five-gallon buckets and wading pools are a drowning hazard for very young children.

Playgrounds

Always watch children while they play at the playground.

Keep children away from the front and back of moving swings.

Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent burns. Check play equipment for exposed bolt heads, sharp edges and places where fingers can get pinched.

Lawn Care

Never let children ride on mowers or in carts towed by mowers.

If you use insect or weed killers, keep children out of the yard for at least 48 hours.

Bites-Stings

Never approach or scare a dog they do not know.

Check for bee or wasp nests and teach children not to touch or throw things at nests.

Use repellent (no more than 30 percent DEET) on clothing instead of skin; avoid face, hands and cuts.

(www.seattlechildrens.org)