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THINK
Safety!
2019
The FLU AND YOU
Q & A to get ahead of flu season
Plus:
Child Identity Theft
Water Safety
Carseat Installation
Hot Plate Fire Prevention
led by
2 THINK SAFETY! THINK SAFETY! 3
Dear New York City Families,
Welcome to the yearly 2019 edition of the Think Safety newsletter created by Safe Kids New York City.
Safe Kids NYC is a coalition of educators, health care professionals and child advocates that are de-
voted to helping you keep the children you care about healthy and free from unintentional injuries.
PLEASE JOIN US IN OUR EFFORTS
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and hospitalization to children, but these injuries TO KEEP NEW YORK CITY CHILDREN
are preventable. There are many resources throughout this publication written by experts in the injury
SAFER.
prevention field.
This edition of Think Safety includes articles on safety throughout the spring, summer, fall and winter. Current Safe Kids New York City
It also provides important information about how to reduce the incidence of unintentional injuries to members include:
your whole family as you play outside, travel, bike, swim, have fun at home and participate in sports. AAA New York
We want to you to enjoy time with your family all year long, but we want parents and children to Bellevue Hospital Center
always Think Safety! Brookdale Hospital Medical Center
Elmhurst Hospital Center
Cheryl Johnson & Maria Cruz Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield/ Healthplus
FedEx
Directors, Safe Kids New York City Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Kings County Hospital Center
Maimonides Medical Center
Retiring from the Millennium Development Corporation
HILD
CHILD
New York Public Library
FIRE
New York Presbyterian Hospital –
FIRE
Lieutenant Anthony Mancuso was a little boy
Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital
NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
New York Presbyterian Hospital –
Weill Cornell Medical Center
NYC Administration for Children’s Services
NYC Department for the Aging
when he decided he wanted to be a firefighter,
NYC Department of Education
just like his uncle. “I was always interested in
NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
IDENTITY THEFT
helping people,” said Lt. Mancuso, who retired NYC Presbyterian Hospital Queens
from the FDNY earlier this spring, after years of NYC Department of Transportation
collaboration with Safe Kids New York City. NYC Fire Department
NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation
By Esther Hughest of the New York State Division of Consumer
In 1981, after a few twists and turns, including After getting injured handling a stove when Protection Community Relations Specialist & Outreach Educator
NYC Poison Control Center
graduating from Brooklyn College in 1977 with he was responding to a gas leak, Lt. Mancuso NYC Police Department
a degree in geology and also a stint on Wall decided that he wanted to try something NYS Dept. of State Division Children are 35 times more likely to become Luckily there are steps you can take to protect For additional information on Child Identity
of Consumer Protection
Street, Lt. Mancuso was called to join the fire different, which is how he ended up teaching fire victims of identity theft than adults. Child your child’s identity: Theft prevention and other topics, visit the
NYS Safe Kids Coalition
department. He was first assigned to Manhattan’s safety. Since 2004 Lt. Mancuso has been teaching Identity Theft occurs when someone uses a New York State Division of Consumer
NYU Langone Medical Center Parent Education Program
Engine 29 in the Garment District. He later about fire safety all across the city, including at minor’s personal information, such as name, date Keep birth certificates, social security cards
NYU Langone Medical Center Protection (DCP) website at www.dos.ny.gov/
worked at Ladder 9 in the Village. One of his most senior centers, with girl scouts and boy scouts, Concussion Center
of birth or social security number to fraudulently and other sensitive personal information
consumerprotection or contact the Division’s
interesting experiences as a firefighter happened at schools, and tenant associations. He’s taught NYU Lutheran Medical Center securely locked away.
gain credit, create a false identity or incur other hotline at (800) 697-1220.
Northwell Health
there, after the crew had just finished putting out fire safety with a number of organizations, benefits.
Northwell Health - Lenox Hill Hospital Only provide social security numbers
a fire in a brownstone. “When the smoke cleared, including the Department of Health and ACS, as
Northwell Health - Staten Island University Hospital when absolutely necessary. Your child’s
well as Safe Kids. He teaches not only fire safety,
they had a large collection of framed taxidermied Public Health Solutions/Sudden Infant and Child Death In 2017, over a million social security number may be requested
bats up on the wall,” he recalled. but also teaches fire prevention. A week before Safe Kids - New York City
his retirement Lt. Mancuso was distributing
Resource Center
Richmond University Medical Center
children were identified for school enrollment, after-school
One of his most memorable experiences as a batteries in Brooklyn so people can make sure
as being victims of identity activities and sports programs but ask
firefighter was also his most tragic. By September they have functioning smoke detectors. Our Activities theft, resulting in total losses how the number will be used and stored led by
11, 2001 Lt. Mancuso had already been promoted • Programs and fairs at schools, afterschool centers, over $2.6 billion and over and if another identifier can be used
to lieutenant and had been transferred to a After years of action, Lt. Mancuso doesn’t plan community centers, camps, libraries and museums
where children learn how to prevent injuries at $540 million in out-of-pocket instead.
Safe Kids New York City
firehouse in Park Slope, just blocks away from spending too much time off his feet during his home, at play and on the road expenses for families. Consider placing a free “protected consumer”
NYC DOT Safety Education and Outreach
59 Maiden Lane, 34th Floor,
where he was raised. Lt. Mancuso’s company was retirement. He is excited about spending more • Car safety seat inspection stations teach parents to New York, NY 10038
correctly install car seats security freeze on their credit report if your
one of the first to respond. The company was time building model cars, and he and his wife Tel: (212) 839-4750, Fax: (212) 839-4783
• Workshops for pregnant and new parents help At the moment, there is no official process for child is under the age of 16. A freeze prevents
on its way to the command post when the first have already made many travel plans. He must
young families learn how to be safe from the start organizations, creditors or merchants to match a the credit reporting agency from releasing
tower fell. make sure not to get too involved in his original Cheryl Johnson and Maria Cruz, Directors
• Professional training conferences for educators and new line of credit to a child’s often unused social the child’s credit report to third parties and
passion, geology, especially when he visits others interested in learning more about injury Kim Wiley-Schwartz, Chair
He knew many of the brave fire fighters that security number allowing thieves to attach the also prevents anyone from opening a credit
National Parks. prevention Paula Gannon, Project Manager, Think Safety
perished when the towers fell, including sixteen social security number to any name or birthdate. account in the child’s name.
Robin Kilmer, Editor, Think Safey
from his old ladder and engine companies “My wife always says, ‘If you show me one more Call 212-839-4750 for more information
Megan Rakos, Designer, Think Safety
perished. fossil we’ll never get out of here.’”
Funded in part by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
4 THINK SAFETY! THINK SAFETY! 5
Be A Year Round
Fun in the Sun,
Safe in the Water
By Julia Glauboch Staten Island University Hospital Trauma Prevention Coordinator
READER
No matter what the season, New Yorkers
love celebrations and parades of all kinds.
Here are some titles to help you slow down
and get ready for the festivities.
By Louise Lareau, New York City Public Library
With summer only a few short months
away, the most popular summer activity AROUND
may already be on kids’ minds: swim-
ming. And while swimming is a great
AT THE BEACH BACKYARD POOLS
The Race for the Chinese Pie is for Sharing by
way to play, exercise or just cool off, it
Zodiac by Gabrielle Wang, Stephanie Parsley Ledyard;
is important to keep water safety in the
forefront. In fact, drowning is the second
+ Supervise your child at all times. + Install a fence. Pool fencing is required illustrated by Sally Rippin (2013) illustrated by Jason Chin (2018)
by law for any swimming pool or spa
leading preventable cause of death for + Be aware that waves are under constant and it must be at least four feet (48 inch- The gorgeously illustrated book is a Celebrating the Fourth of July with a
children younger than 10. change by weather and wind, which can retelling of the mythological race that
es) high. Make sure the safety picnic includes games, fireworks and,
influence water depth and rip currents. led to the 12 signs of the zodiac.
latch is in good working order. of course, lots of delicious food.
+ Only take your child to beaches with + Don’t leave any items or equipment Hello Spring! by Shelley Saffron Ice Cream by Rashin
lifeguards. Do not enter the water after
close to the pool fence that would Rotner (2017) Kheiriyeh (2018)
lifeguards go off duty.
allow your child to climb up and over
RESOURCES + Teach your child what to do if they find the fence. Changes in plant and animal life mark
the arrival of spring in this lyrical
A young immigrant girl is excited to
visit Coney Island for the first time and
themselves in trouble: remain calm, float
and raise an arm to signal for help from a + Don’t leave floating toys in the pool or introduction to the season. is amazed at the differences between
your child may try to reach for them. beach customs in her native Iran and
lifeguard.
+ The Learn to Swim program offer + Empty wading pools immediately All Different Now:
her new home.
free swimming lessons for young after use. Juneteenth, the First Day of Full of Fall by April Pulley
New Yorkers at pools around the city.
Freedom by Angela Johnson; Sayre (2017)
Registration begins on Friday, June
illustrated by E.B. Lewis (2014)
14. Contact NYC Parks or 311 for more
Beautiful photographs and simple
information. A beautifully illustrated tribute to the text explain the science behind fall
first observance of African American
+ The FDNY Free CPR Program offers Emancipation Day by the award-
leaves.
New Yorkers a 30-minute class on
winning team of Angela Johnson and
compressions-only CPR. The free
E.B. Lewis. First Snow by Peter McCarty
classes are taught throughout the
(2015)
year by certified FDNY EMS personnel
at various locations.
This Day in June by Gayle
Pedro is having a hard time adjusting
E. Pitman; illustrated by Kristyna
to the cold weather, but a snowball
+ The American Red Cross also offers Litten (2014)
fight, a snow angel, and a sled ride
CPR and Swimming + Water Safety
Bright colors and vivid illustrations make things better.
classes. 800-RED CROSS
help depict the fun and jubilant
feelings associated with a pride
Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk Red Hook Recreation Area NYC parks department
parade for the LGBTQ community as
well as their friends and family.
YOU
6 THINK SAFETY! THINK SAFETY! 7
THE
FLU
AND
By Dekeya Slaughter, Injury Prevention
Like Halloween, Thanksgiving, apple cider and pumpkin
Coordinator Bellevue Hospital Center
pie, the flu is also seasonal. Flu is short for influenza, a viral
respiratory infection that can cause serious complications or
death. It spreads easily during fall and winter months and
can be contagious 24 hours before symptoms even appear.
Here are some ?'s parents often
have ahead of the flu season:
How can I prevent the flu? What are the risks and Who’s most vulnerable for
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention benefits of the flu vaccine? getting the flu?
(CDC) recommends vaccination as the single A: Like any medication, there are possible A: Children born prematurely and people
best way to prevent the flu, and the CDC and risks. Most are mild, but can range from with chronic medical conditions are
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) a minor irritation at the injection site to a vulnerable to deadly complications from
recommend that children 6 months and older severe allergic reaction. Though local clinics the flu. Pregnant women and adults 65 and
be vaccinated. There is more than one type and pharmacies offer the vaccine, the CDC older are also vulnerable.
of flu shot available. Speak with your family advises that anyone with a history of severe
Are there medications that
doctor or pediatrician to choose what’s best allergic reaction to the vaccine or any of
treat the flu?
An Old Foe Strikes Back
for you and your family. its ingredients be vaccinated by a doctor.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a condition in which A: Yes. Tamiflu, Zanamivir, Peramivir and
The flu shot only protects against specific Baloxavir are antiviral medications are
the immune system attacks the peripheral
strands of the flu. Even if you have been available by prescription only. Please
nerves, is another possible, albeit rare, side
vaccinated, you still have to keep your immune consult with your doctor about which is
effect possibly triggered by the flu vaccine.
system strong with regular exercise (at least best for you or your children.
Speak with your family doctor or pediatrician
30 minutes a day, five days a week). Drinking Before the measles vaccine came out in 1963, there were 400 to 500 measles, even up to two hours after they left, will lead to infection. Many
before getting vaccinated.
plenty of water, eating a nutrition-rich diet, How will I pay for my flu million cases a year, killing 400 to 500 people annually, according to the people are contagious even before they know they are sick.
and managing your stress levels also helps. The benefits of vaccination outweigh the vaccine? US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2000 the measles were
risks. In people between 18 and 64 years of Even a small drop in the number of people who receive the Measles,
A: Most people whose health insurance declared eliminated from the United States. There have been outbreaks
A person sick with the flu is contagious for Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) will lead to an outbreak, as has
age who have received the flu shot there is a complies with the Affordable Care Act will since then, however. The most recent started in late 2018.
about one week. Limit close personal contact happened in five states throughout the country, including New York
40-60 percent reduction in reported flu cases. not have to pay. Check with your insurance
and clean your hands frequently. If you already Due to its highly contagious nature, any given population needs a State. As of early March there are 121 reported cases of measles in nine
If you do get sick, your symptoms will likely be carrier. Otherwise, out-of-pocket costs vary
have the flu and don’t want to spread it to 93 to 95 percent vaccination rate to prevent an outbreak of measles. zip codes in Brooklyn alone.
milder than if you were not vaccinated. by location and type of vaccine.
others, cover your nose and mouth when you According to the CDC almost everyone who has not been vaccinated
cough and sneeze and stay home from work Protect your family from the measles. Make sure you and your child have
against measles will get measles if they are exposed to the virus. It is so
and school when possible.. received your MMR vaccines. Please call 311 for more information.
contagious that simply entering a room where someone was sick with
8 THINK SAFETY! THINK SAFETY! 9
Ride Safe with Your
Child in the Right Place THIS
WINTER
By Marjorie Marciano, NYC Department of Transportation Office of Safety Education and Outreach
9/10
car seats are not installed properly. A properly installed car seat can be the
difference between life and death. Here are some things to keep in mind when
selecting and installing a car seat for your loved one.
Age (years)
STAY COZY BUT STAY SAFE
By Gia Ramsey, Injury Prevention/Educator Outreach Coordinator, Maimonides Medical Center
Birth 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+ Is Your Car Seat Installed Correctly?
Rear Facing Seat Most car seats are installed incorrectly.
Check to see if yours is in right. From March
The Department of Health and Human Services
to November the NYC Department of
Foward Facing Seat recommends that children and adolescents ages 6 to
Transportation operates car seat inspection
stations in all five boroughs. Call 212-839- 17 years one hour or more of moderate-to-vigorous
Booster Seat physical activity daily—and not just when the weather
4750 for more information about making
an appointment for a free car seat check by is nice. Check out some tips for safe exercise in the
Seat Belt
nationally certified child passenger safety colder months.
technicians.
Reminder
LET’S PLAY IN THE SNOW! BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
The temperature inside a car can increase
20 degrees in just ten minutes and about 38
children in the United States die from heat
• Children under 8 years of age should not play outside alone. • Dress in loose fitting layers of breathable clothing to stay warm
stroke each year after being trapped in a car
Rear Facing Forward Facing Booster Seat Seat Belt and prevent sweating.
in hot weather. That said, you should not leave • Check on children often to ensure they are warm, dry, and
Car Seat Car Seat your child unattended in a car in any weather. hydrated. • To prevent hypothermia and frostbite wear water-resistant coats
and boots, and be sure to remove wet clothing as soon as possible.
• Make sure kids use the proper gear, like helmets, when they are
Birth - 2 years Old: 4 - 7 Years Old: snowboarding or skiing. • Be sure to cover the nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin, and fingers.
Your baby under age two should always ride Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat
• Children should avoid sledding or playing near a street, parking
in a rear-facing seat – a rear-facing only or with a harness until he or she reaches the top
lot, pond, trees, fences, or other hazards.
WATCH OUT, IT MIGHT BE
convertible car seat. height or weight limit allowed by your car seats
manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the • When sledding, make sure there is a clear path and that children
birth – 3 Years Old:
forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time
to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back
sit up, facing forward down the hill.
SLIPPERY!
seat. • Make sure that children are using soft snow to make snowballs,
Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. • Footwear should have good tread to provide better traction on
and throwing them at children their own size. Facial injuries can
It’s the safest way for him or her to ride. Your snow and ice
occur when children are hit by snowballs that are heavy or icy.
child should remain in a rear-facing car seat • Try to stay on cleared paths that have been treated with salt or
8 - 12 Years
until he or she reaches the top height or weight • Assist children with making large snowmen. Lifting top sections
Rear Facing Seat sand and keep an eye out for black ice
limit allowed by your car seat manufacturer. Keep your child in a booster seat until he or could cause injuries if the section is too heavy.
Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. • Take time while walking, taking smaller steps, and shuffling on
seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward- For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must slippery surfaces
facing car seat with a harness. lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the
stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug
• Keep arms free to help keep and restore balance and have your cell
phone handy in case of a fall
across the shoulder and chest and not cross
the neck or face. Remember: your child should
still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.
10 THINK SAFETY! THINK SAFETY! 11
Here are common poisionous plants that can be found in New York City
Nearly half of apartment fires in New York City begin in the kitchen and New York State: Capsicum Annuum (Chili Pepper), holly, mistletoe,
philodendron/dieffenbachia, deadly nightshade and pokeweed. Please
visit www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/poison-plants.page for
more information. The NYC Poison Control Center is available 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week (212-POISONS or 212-764-7667) for questions regarding
any poison inside or outside the home.
By Lauren Schwartz and Maria Mercurio-Zappala, NYC Poison Control Center
Last year, NYC Poison Control Center received approximately 1,500 calls
involving exposures to plants. Children and pets often find plants
appealing and may eat the leaves, stems, and flowers etc. Even plants Mistletoe with berries Holly
that are non-toxic may cause a reaction in some people. Some common
poisonous pants are also often found inside and outside homes, offices
and buildings. Never eat mushrooms, berries, fruit or leaves from plants
that are grown outdoors and may not be safe. Always check with the
Poison Control Center or local florist when you buy or give plants. Keep
Step Up to the plate
plants up high and out-of-reach and label them by name. Many common
plants cause minor irritation, others can be fatal.
Deadly Nightshade Pokeweed
with Hot Plate Safety
By Lieutenant Mancuso, FDNY
Hot plates were turned off and properly used after this FDNY cook-off
Blondies –
A Treat for All to Eat
Want to celebrate your child’s birthday at school? Be careful before you This is a slightly modified version
Hot plates have been suspected in other fires, and the NYPD estimates of
concoct your dessert. According to the Center for Disease Control and of recipe created by Brandi Domer,
50% apartment fires begin in the kitchen. 25% of house fires begin in the
Prevention (CDC), four to six percent of children in the United States have a found on her blog The Vegan 8. It
Is your stove not working? Did the landlord turn off the heat? kitchen. While it would be good to limit hot plate use as much as possible,
food allergy. Many desserts include eggs, gluten and dairy, which are some is gluten, egg, nut and dairy free—
Just trying to keep food warm? Many new Yorkers treat the small, the FDNY does offer guidelines for New Yorkers who feel the need to use
of the most common allergens, leaving caretakers to wonder what they can and very yummy!
affordable hot plate as a solution to their most basic needs. them.
bring to class.
However, while the hot plate solves some problems, it can create
an even bigger one, often with deadly results. Many New Yorkers
HOT PLATE TIPS INGREDIENTS
remember the January 2015 house fire that swept through the
Brooklyn home of an Orthodox Jewish family, killing seven
INSTRUCTIONS
children and severely injuring their mother and another child.
+ No towels should be touching the hotplate (sometimes people cover • 1 ¾ cup certified gluten-free oat flour. 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat an 8x8 glass or
food with towels to keep it warm).
The NYPD suspected that the fire, which started in the wee hours stoneware dish with non-stick baking spray or butter.
• ¼ cup tapioca starch/flour
of a Saturday morning, was sparked by a hot plate that was used + The wire and plug should be inspected for cracks and other signs of
to keep food warm while the family observed the Sabbath. wear and tear (nothing lasts forever). 2. In a large bowl, combine the oat flour, tapioca starch and salt and
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (to taste) whisk well.
+ Check the junction box where the wire enters the unit. It should not be • ½ cup pure maple syrup 3. In a separate medium-size bowl, combine the wet ingredients
discolored or open.
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar and whisk until smooth, then stir in the chocolate chips.
+ No extension cords should be used.
4. Pour liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
+ Do not let power cord rest on top of the plates. thoroughly mixed. Pour the batter evenly into the pan. Place extra
• ½ cup sunbutter, which derives from sunflower seeds chocolate chips on top.
+ When using timers, they should be rated for use with the appliance they
are controlling. • 1 ½ tablespoons of vanilla extract 5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until firm and golden. A fork should come
out clean. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
+ If the legs or any other portion of the appliance is broken or cracked, it • ½ heaping cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks, plus extra
should be professionally repaired or discarded. to put on top
SAFETY STARTS WITH
12 THINK SAFETY!
NYC DOT Safety Education and Outreach
BIKE PROGRAMS SCHOOL SAFETY
We want everyone using the road to be safe, PRESENTATIONS COLLABORATION WITH
including cyclists. There is an 85 percent chance
Safety educators at SEO visit an average of 650 SAFE KIDS NEW YORK CITY
that your helmet will protect your head during
schools a year, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, Car crashes has been a leading cause of childhood
a crash. SEO operates helmet fittings and give-
to do fun interactive traffic safety workshops. death for many years. In 2018 61 percent of
aways throughout the five boroughs. We also
childhood fatalities were caused by injuries. Most of
help distribute bike lights, hold delivery cyclist
forums, and have a Bike to School program to BRONX SAFETY CITY those injuries were caused by crashes, followed by
firearms. SEO has long been a member of Safe Kids
encourage students to use their bikes as a mode of
transportation. New York City due to the outsized and impact that
traffic crashes have on child mortality. SEO hosts
Safe Kids New York City meetings, and is involved in
CAR SEAT CHECKS the group’s other health and safety related efforts,
including Halloween Safety Day, September School
Safety, Safe Kids Day, Walk to School Day, and much
more.
CONTACT
SEO offers interactive traffic safety workshops at
Bronx Safety City. Safety City has an indoor learning
center, as well as an outdoor streetscape for
students to learn pedestrian safety and bike safety.
Last year students from 75 schools visited Bronx
SEO does free car seat checks from March through Safety City.
November, doing 52 car seat checks per year. Please
read our article on page 8 for more information.
PARENT WORKSHOPS
CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY CERTIFICATION
At parent workshops held throughout New York
SEO, along with the Safe Kids organization offers City SEO safety educators inform parents about best
classes to for people interested in becoming practices to follow with regards to bike, passenger If you are interested in collaborating with SEO, or
certified car seat technicians. On average, SEO and pedestrian safety so that parents can help keep
and Safe Kids New York City train 15 new car seat would like to learn more about our outreach and
their children safe. Last year educators held 100
technicians annually. education efforts, please call (212) 839-4750.
parent workshops in all five boroughs.
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