2013 Spring/Summer
Update
Sun
Safety Tips
Now that the warm weather months are here, exposure to the ultraviolet
rays of the sun pose year-round problems for both children and adults.
UV exposure can damage the skin resulting in premature aging, wrinkles,
and worst of all, skin cancer (melanoma). Here are some tips for taking
common sense precautions on avoiding the dangers of sun exposure:
- Minimize
exposure to the sun when it is strongest, between 10AM and 3PM
- Wear
protective clothing, including shirts and hats (preferably with
a brim). Baseball hats may not protect much of the face and neck
- Keep
babies out of direct sunlight whenever possible
- Use
sunscreen or sunblock with a minimum SPF of at least 15, including
a lip balm.
Babies under 6 months of age should be protected with sunblock,
which should be applied to any sun-exposed area. Wash the sunscreen off your baby when you’re back inside the house. Use a hypoallergenic product and avoid contact
with the
eyes
- Wear
sunglasses capable of blocking UVA and UVB rays
- Avoid
tanning beds - there is no such thing as a "safe tan!"
Insect Repellents
Mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, are seen during the summer months. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics have published useful guidelines for the use of insect repellents during these warm weather months, including which can be safely used in children and infants. The guidelines can be found at the CDC’s website.
Lyme Disease
With the onset of warmer weather comes an increased risk of contracting Lyme Disease, a tick-borne illness prevalent in southeast Pennsylvania. This is projected to be an especially busy Lyme season given our unseasonably warm winter. A comprehensive review and discussion of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme Disease can be found at the CDC’s website.
Seasonal Allergies
The trees are budding, flowers are beginning to bloom, and the grass is getting greener, all signs that if you have seasonal allergies or hay fever, you’re likely beginning to suffer from itchy, watery eyes and nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion. With all the rain we’ve had over the past few months, this promises to be a severe allergy season! Here is a useful link on the management of seasonal allergies. If over the counter medications are not effective at relieving your child’s symptoms, or if you’re not certain whether allergy is the cause of those symptoms, please contact our office to make an appointment for your child.
Backyard Safety Tips
During
the spring and summer months, our children will be spending much of
their time
outdoors. Backyard safety for children begins with age-appropriate
supervision. Be aware of certain backyard hazards that can impact your
child’s safety:
Bicycle Safety Tips
Bicycle injuries are responsible for more childhood injuries than any
other consumer product except motor vehicles. Riding without a helmet
is mainly responsible for the severity of bike injuries, and consistently
wearing an approved helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to
85%! The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests the following bicycle
safety recommendations:
- Wear
a properly fitted, US Consumer Product Safety Commission approved
bicycle helmet. Children riding as passengers in protective
bike seats or trailers should also wear a helmet
- Use
of helmets should not be optional – enforce the rule as you
would with wearing seatbelts in your car!
- Have
your child "fitted" for
an appropriately-sized bike; avoid an oversize bike as they can
be especially dangerous
- Obey
traffic lights and signs, and ride on the right-hand side of the
road in the same direction as traffic
- Ride
in single file when riding with others
- Avoid
riding at dusk or after dark – if you must, wear reflective
clothing!
For
more information, visit the website of the National
Bicycle Safety Network
Skateboarding and Scooter Safety
As skateboarders and scooter riders take to the streets and sidewalks
this summer, the risk of serious injuries related to these activities
increases, especially to children and adolescents. Here are some tips
to help protect your children this summer from injury:
- Make
sure all skateboarders and scooter riders wear helmets, wrist guards
and
protective elbow and knee padding
- Verify
the helmet meets the US Consumer Product Safety Commission standards
- Never
ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic and NEVER hold
onto the rear of a moving car while skateboarding!
Lawn Mower Safety
Each year, many children are severely injured by lawn mowers, especially
power mowers. Many injuries can be prevented by following these safety
guidelines:
- Make
sure your child has the maturity, judgment and coordination to
do the job
safely; generally, 12 years of age to operate a walk-behind
power mower or hand mower, and 16 years of age to operate a riding
mower
- Spend
time with your child demonstrating proper and safe technique, then
supervise your child’s work to ensure that he/she can manage
the task alone
- Make
sure that protective guards, shields, and grass catcher are in place
and that the mower is in good working order
- While
mowing, make sure your child wears closed-toe shoes, safety goggles
or glasses with
side shields and hearing protection
- Remain
aware of where children are and don’t allow them near the
mowing area – children are curious about mowers in use!
First Aid
Spring
and summer are the time of year when we see an increase in the number
of traumatic injuries. Please click on the Patient Education Tab and check out Clinical Information link to get the latest First Aid tips.
Office Hours
Remember, we are now in our new location at 160 W. Germantown Pike, Suite D-2. Turn north onto Hillcrest Avenue and you will come right to our office. There is plenty of free parking and no steps to climb. Our regular office hours are: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. We have evening hours until 8:00 pm twice weekly in each office. The office is always closed for lunch between 12:30 and 1:30 pm. PMA provides on call service when the office is closed, which you may reach by dialing 610-992-4916. If you don’t hear back from us within 90 minutes, please call back. We’ll make every effort to get back to you in a timely fashion. This service is available for emergencies that cannot wait until the office is open. All life threatening emergencies should be directed to the nearest emergency room or dial 911. Remember, you can request a well exam visit for your child through the PMA website by clicking on the Patient Service Center.
As you can see, we continue to improve our website by making it as user-friendly as possible. Visit us online, anytime!
Updated March 22, 2013
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Pediatric
Medical Associates of Abington
1077
Rydal Road Suite 300
Rydal PA 19046
Phone
215-572-0425
Fax 215-572-5929 |
Pediatric
Medical Associates of Norristown
160 West Germantown Pike
Suite D2
East Norriton, PA 19401
Phone
610-277-6400
Fax 610-275-8861 |
For
after hours help, call
610-992-4916
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