08/28/2007

Back-to-School Health & Safety Tips
As summer comes to a close and children head back to school, physicians at the Jersey City Medical Center are offering parents tips and suggestions regarding their child’s health and safety.

Immunizations are at the top of the list. The state of New Jersey mandates all children attending school or child-care centers to be vaccinated. Required immunizations include tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, Hepatitis B, measles, Hemophilus influenza type B, polio mumps, rubella, and chicken pox or varicella.

“Now is a good time to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician,” said Dr. William Yu, acting chair of Pediatrics for JCMC. “They will know what immunizations children just entering school need and if there are new vaccines available for older students. Exemptions from this mandate are extremely rare, so make sure your child has the required immunizations or he or she will not be allowed to enter their schools.”

Dr. Yu also advises parents to alert school officials if their child has a chronic illness and will require special attention. If a child requires medication, he says, make sure the school nurse is aware, a younger child may need assistance in taking their daily doses.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) suggests parents update their child's medical history records and emergency medical contact information each year, and give copies of this information to schools or daycare providers.

In addition, Dr. Yu recommends parents make sure the child’s school has an emergency plan in place and that parents complete a “consent-to-treat form”. A copy of the form should be given to school officials or daycare providers. Even though a child will always receive lifesaving treatment, said Dr. Yu, this form gives a physician permission to treat your child for less serious medical problems while in someone else's care.

According to Dr. Neal Shipley, chair of the JCMC Emergency Department, there are many inherent risks for children traveling to and from school.

“Being prepared for the unexpected is not hard when precautionary measures are in place. Educating your child to the possible injury risks they may encounter to and from school and how to avoid them will not only increase their safety, it will also give parents peace of mind,” said Dr. Shipley.

There are precautionary steps both students and parents can take, said Dr. Shipley. The ACEP recommends the following:.

School Bus

• Make sure the school bus has seat belts and that children use one at all times when in the bus.
• Advise children to wait for the bus to stop before approaching it from the curb.
• Tell children not to move around on the bus.
• Make sure children know to look for traffic before crossing, and always remain in clear view of the bus driver.

Car Safety

• Make sure all passengers wear a seat belt and place children in age- and size-appropriate car safety seats or booster seats.
• Place all children under 13 years of age in the rear seat of vehicles.
• Limit the number of teen passengers to prevent teen driver distraction.
• Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, or talking on a cell phone.

Walking

• Make sure a child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.
• Consider whether small children, who are less cautious around traffic, are ready to walk to school without adult supervision.
• Dress a child in right colored clothing to make them more visible to drivers.

Biking

• Make sure your child wears a helmet. New Jersey state law requires anyone 17 years old and under to wear one.
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
• Use appropriate hand signals.
• Respect traffic lights and stop signs.
• Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.

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