Window of opportunity is open for child safety

By Nora Firestone, The Virginian-Pilot – 6/12/2010

VIRGINIA BEACH
The window of opportunity for childhood injuries opens shortly after birth. But the window on prevention opens with knowledge.

So say Joel Clingenpeel and James Schmidt, two local pediatric emergency-room physicians on a mission to reduce the stream of babies entering emergency rooms nationwide.

An average of one child less than a year old is admitted every 90 seconds, the doctors noted.

"The overwhelming majority of injuries happen in the home," Clingenpeel said.

Added Schmidt, "And most are preventable."

The doctors, also fathers of youngsters, joined forces in 2007 to start Child Safety House Calls, a Virginia Beach-based child- proofing consultation service for homes and businesses. The partnership's emphasis is on educating parents and caretakers about hazards and prevention.

Of the estimated 47,000 cases their department at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in Norfolk sees annually, the most common - about four or five daily - are from falls, often off changing tables and beds, down stairs and, most seriously, out windows, they said.

Warmer weather presents more open windows, therefore more opportunity for severe injury - and even death - as babies and toddlers explore shades, cords and life beyond flimsy screens.

Heed their tips about the two main elements of window safety:

Cutting the cord
Open shades and blinds create long cords, a serious strangulation hazard, Clingenpeel said.

Even cords designed for safety can get wound to form dangerous loops.

Install cord wraps on window frames throughout the home and simply wind cords up, out of reach, the doctors urge. Better yet, lose cords entirely and use plantation shutters or cordless shades instead, they said.

Don't consider Roman shades safe, as the back sides contain "a series of loops that you're not even aware of," Clingenpeel added.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission in December announced a recall of millions of Roman shades and roll-up blinds, following reports of five deaths and 16 near strangulations by Roman shades since 2006.

Screening for trouble
"Screens keep bugs out, not kids in," Clingenpeel said, demonstrating what little force it takes to push even a properly- secured screen off track.

A baby running for a bird on the sill, or simply leaning into the screen, can easily slip out.

Keep cribs and climbable items away from windows, Schmidt warned.

And open windows no more than 3 1/2 inches - "about a generous fist or soda can" high.

Some windows contain built-in stoppers which, when employed, allow a safe opening. For windows (and sliding doors) without, purchase stoppers which attach by screws, Velcro, adhesive or suction, starting at about $3 each.

The doctors recommend several brands, including easy-to-transport Super Stoppers.

In addition, mesh, metal and wood window barriers, starting at $44.95, allow fresh air and a view - but not children - through wide open windows.

Clingenpeel and Schmidt encourage parents, child-care providers and pediatricians to think "home safety" year-round.

Nora Firestone, nfirestone@verizon.net

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About Child Safety House Calls
Child Safety House Calls is led by two emergency room pediatricians and specializes in evaluating and selling through their online child safety store window safety guards and other window safety products to childproof windows. They provide information to parents nationwide on the best window safety guards and window safety products. In Hampton Roads, Virginia, their team conducts child safety house calls to parents in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, and Williamsburg.