William Penn Life, 1999 (34. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1999-05-01 / 5. szám
It’s Spring! (Proceed with caution) Spring's recent return brings with it many favorite outdoor activities. Some hike through the woods, while others ride bicycles from place to place. Children swarm to playgrounds, swinging, climbing and sliding their winter blahs away. Even our dogs are outside more often, enjoying the warmer weather. We welcome these sites and activities. But, they also harbor dangers you need to keep in mind. With a little knowledge, precaution and good sense, you can minimize the hazards and maximize the fun. Ticked Off There's good news in the battle against Lyme disease. The Food and Drug Administration recently licensed a vaccine against the tickborne illness called LYMErixTM, made by SmithKline Beecham Biologicals. The vaccine is designed for people ages 15 to 70 and is given in three injections spread over the course of a year. Side effects are uncommon and mild. However, the vaccine is not 100% effective and won't protect you against other tickborne illnesses. If you need to commune with the flora and fauna, there are simple steps that will help you keep ticks from becoming more than just pests: • Avoid tick habitats, such as leaf litter and low-lying vegetation in wooded, bushy or grassy areas. • Wear protective clothing: longsleeved shirts, full-length pants, socks and sturdy shoes. • Use tick repellents, especially if it's just too warm for long sleeves and pants. • Promptly remove any ticks that find you irresistible. If you develop any of the symptoms common with Lyme disease, particularly a rash or arthritic pain, consult your doctor. Ground Rules If you've ever watched children at a playground, you know that safety is probably the last thing on their young minds. That's why it should be the first thing on parents' minds. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has become a leader in promoting playground safety. Here's just a few of the Academy's recommendations on ensuring your child's safety at play: • Avoid playgrounds with hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt. • Never let children play without adult supervision and make sure the playground area has clear sight lines to allow for such supervision. • Inspect equipment for damage, wear, rust, loose or missing nuts and bolts, sharp edges or points and missing parts. Hardheaded The number of bicycle-related deaths has fallen 35% over the last decade, thanks in large part to the increasing use of bicycle helmets. Still, statistics show that only one in four children uses a helmet. The importance of wearing a helmet while cycling, skating or rollerblading can't be stressed enough. Accidental injury is the leading cause of death of children age 14 and under, with head injuries leading the way. Even more tragic is that 90% of such injuries can be prevented. Insist your children wear helmets whenever they get on wheels. And wear a helmet yourself. You'll not only be protecting your own head, but also be setting a wise example. Dog Days Did you know that more than 4.7 million people-mostly children-are bitten by dogs each year? To increase Health Links Here’s where to go for more information about the topics in this month’s HealthPage: 3 Lvme Disease/Helmets Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30333 (800) 311-3435 http://www.cdc.gov/ 3 Playground Injuries and Safety American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 6300 N. River Road Rosemont, IL 60018-4262 (800) 346-2267 hhtp://www.aaos.org/ 3 Dog Bites Humane Society of the United States 2100 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037 (202) 452-1100 http://www.hsus.org/ awareness of this public health problem, the Humane Society of the United States and other organizations are recognizing National Dog Bite Prevention Week, May 16 to 22. According to the Humane Society, dog bites are not caused by "bad dogs" but by irresponsible dog owners. First and foremost, owners should have their dogs spayed or neutered. They should also socialize their dogs to other people, supervise their pets, confine them safely and humanely train them. To avoid being bitten, never approach a strange dog and don't pet one before letting him see and sniff you first. Don't turn your back and run. And don't disturb a dog while she's eating, sleeping, chewing on a toy or caring for puppies. [~ William Penn life. May 1999 5
