Resources
Welcome To Safe Kids Colorado
Safe Kids Colorado, led by Children’s Hospital Colorado, is a partnership of statewide and regional organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Colorado children ages 14 and under. Safe Kids Colorado is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of more than 600 coalitions and chapters nationwide, including 19 member countries. Safe Kids Colorado utilizes a combination of education, research, advocacy, and media to prevent accidental injury in children ages fourteen years and younger. Our passion is to help you and your family to be safe.
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Carbon Monoxide Alarms Could Prevent Half of All CO Poisoning Deaths
With the arrival of colder weather today, there will be an increase in the number of fuel-burning appliances being used in the home as people turn on their heaters for the first time this fall. These appliances include ovens, space heaters, generators, indoor grills and fireplaces which can cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in the home.
Important safety tips to protect families from CO poisoning:
- Prevent CO buildup in the first place-make sure heating appliances are in good working order and used only in well-ventilated areas.
- Don't run a car engine in the garage, even to warm it up; move the car outside first.
- Install a CO alarm outside every sleeping area, on every level of your home and at least 15 feet away from every fuel-burning appliance.
- When you check your smoke alarm batteries each month, check the batteries on your CO alarms at the same time-and replace the batteries twice a year.
- Never use a stove for heating.
- Have all gas, oil or coal burning appliances inspected by a technician every year to ensure they're working correctly and properly ventilated.
- If a CO leak is suspected, open windows to allow fresh air into the home. If someone who has been in a poorly ventilated room with a fuel-burning appliance exhibits symptoms including headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or confusion, move the victim to fresh air and call 911.
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New Safety Standards for Cribs Aim to Better Protect Children
Crib-related accidents send 26 children to U.S. emergency rooms each day and result in more than 110 deaths annually, according to a recent study in the journal Pediatrics. And for the first time in nearly 30 years, federal mandatory crib standards have been updated. Beginning June 28, 2011, anyone that manufactures ro sells baby cribs will be required to meet new and improved crib safety satandards approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Dec. 15, 2010. Crib rental companies and public accommodation facilities, such as hotels and motels, have until December 28, 2012, to update their inventory with compliant cribs. Childcare facilities, such as fammily childcare homes and infant Head Start centers, also have the same deadline. Tips to make sure your crib is safe:
- Check slat spacing: The slats in a crib or basinet should be no farther apart than 2 3/8 inches. If you can fit a soda can through them, the opening is too large.
- Check the hardware: Make it a habit to check the screws and bolts in your baby's crib to ensure nothing is loose, missing, or damaged. Crib hardware can loosen over time and may need occasional tightening. If anything is missing or broken, contac the manufacturer for replacement parts.
- Make sure the mattress fits: There shouldn't be any cracks or openings between the crib and mattress. If you can place more than two fingers between the mattress and crib frame, the fit isn't snug enough.
- Drop-side rails: Crib drop-side rails are dangerous for babies due to malfunctioning hardware and assembly problems that can cause a baby to get caught.
- Skip the bumpers: Crib bumpers can be a risk for suffocation. Although new mesh cribs are thinner, they are still not recommended. The safest crib is a bare crib, without stuffed animals, pillows, comforters, and crib bumpers.
What to look for when buying a crib:
- You will not be able to tell if the crib is compliant with the new regulations by looking at the crib. You may want to ask the retail store or the manufacturer whether the crib complies with the federal standards 16 CFR 1219 and 16 CFR 1220.
Five tips to keep babies sleeping safely:
- Proper Crib Assembly: Follow the directions for assembly, and make sure every part is installed correctly. IF you are not sure, call the manufacturer for assisstance.
- Proper Crib Placement: Make sure the crib, playpen, and changing table are placed away from windows, draperies, heating sources, and electrical cords.
- Back to Sleep: Babies are safest sleeping alone and on their backs, for naps and at night. Sleeping with your baby can be dangerous. If an adult or child rolls over on a baby, the baby can be hurt or even suffocated. Room sharing is a safer option than having your baby sleep in the same bed as you.
- Clear Sleep Area: Put your baby to sleep in a crib with a firm, tight-fitting mattress covered with a crib sheet and nothing else in it. To prevent suffocation, never place pillows, blankets, quilts, toys, or stuffed animals in a baby's sleep environment.
- Beware of the Temperature: Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult. To keep your baby warm, use a sleep sack or one-piece sleeper.
For information about crib safety and a list of recalled cribs, visit the CPSC's Crib information Center at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cribs. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.
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Concussion bill passes to keep young athletes in Colorado safe
On March 29, 2011, Senate Bill 40 (concussion bill) was signed into law. The bill requires coaches of youth sports for children ages 11-18 to get training on how to recognize signs and symptoms of a concussion. If a young athlete shows signs of a concussion, the coach must pull the player out of the game or practice, and he/she cannot return to play until examined and cleared by a health care professional. Download the Children's Hospital Colorado fact sheet here.
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NEW recommendations on child passenger safety from the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children remain in a rear-facing car seat until the age of two or until they reach the maximum rear-facing weight limit of the seat. The AAP guidelines are the best practice for ensuring safe travel for children in Colorado! The AAP's car seat guide for parents is available at www.healthychildren.org/carseatguide.
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