Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 17 SPONSORED MATERIAL WATER SAFETY Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4—but it doesn't take a pool to create a risk. Parents should know that young children can drown in vessels as com- mon as toilets and buckets. "Anything with over an inch of water is a risk," King said. "Kids are top-heavy—their heads are two-thirds of their body weight un l they are 3. When they peek into the bucket because they are curious, they just go head-fi rst right in." The pandemic saw a huge increase in home pool installa on in the Fredericksburg region. Backyard pools are safest when they are surrounded by a fence that is at least 4 feet tall and secured with a self-latching gate. Parent and/or care- giver should know CPR or take a CPR class. Visit PoolSafety.gov for more ps. River safety is an important skill for all residents of the Fredericksburg region. Eighty people have drowned on the Rappahannock since 1985, and most river drowning vic ms don't even make it to the hospital. "The river looks slow on top, but there are many rapids under- neath that you can't see," King said. "The river bo om is always changing, and there are dips and diff erent depths." She noted that Old Mill Park and other popular riverside parks are not a safe place for swimming, and that everyone should wear a personal fl ota on device when they are on or near the river. Always use a US Coast Guard approved personal fl ota on device. If someone is in trouble, it's important to "Throw, don't go," King said, and throw a fl ota on device or rope to the vic m while also aler ng 911. More river safety ps can be found at fredericksburgva.gov/786/River-Safety When injuries happen, the most important thing you can do for your children is to stay calm while you call for help... SUN SAFETY The sun can cause second- and third-degree burns, so make sure you throw extra sunscreen into your day bag for any summer adventure. To guard against dehydra on, make sure you and your kids are drinking both water and a sports drink with elec- trolytes if you are out in the sun for prolonged periods. Know the signs of sun poisoning, which include light- headedness, a dry mouth, dark urine, headache and dizziness. Younger children may not be able to tell you about these symptoms, so staying on top of hydra on is key. King also reminds parents not to forget about the eyes—polarized sunglasses are just as important for children as for adults. FIREWORK SAFETY Fireworks were responsible for 12 deaths and 10,000 injuries across the U.S. in 2019, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. King urges individuals not to use illegal fi reworks, and to keep basic safety ps in mind, especially as these devices are o en used during one of the driest mes of the year, which can increase the risk of fi re. • Always wear fi re-resistant materials when using fi reworks. • Read the direc ons and keep clear. Do not approach a fi rework that is not func oning to inspect it. Spray it with water and dispose of it. • Always have a water source nearby when using fi reworks. • Children should always be closely supervised when using sparklers. KNOW WHERE TO GO When injuries happen, the most important thing you can do for your children is to stay calm while you call for help or take your child to the nearest urgent care or emergency department. King says if you are at all in doubt about calling 911 or visi ng the emergency room, you should follow your gut and make the call or head to the hospital. If your child has had a head injury of any kind, it's important to come to the hospital to have them examined for a concussion. Mary Washington Hospital is the region's only Level II Trauma Center, and Mary Washington Healthcare also provides emergency care at Staff ord Hospital and the Emergency and Outpa ent Center at Lee's Hill. For more minor injuries, Mary Washington Urgent Care is available in King George and Staff ord.

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