Summer Fun Doesn’t Have to End in Bumps, Bruises and Boo Boos
National Chief Nursing Officer Offers New Insights on First-Aid This Summer
Mundelein, Ill., July 8, 2015 – Summertime signals more time outdoors for kids of all ages to run, play and explore. It’s also a time when parents need to be on their toes when it comes to safety. In fact, approximately 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms every day for fall-related injuries – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) breaks that down to nearly 2.8 million kids each year.
Every parent wants what’s best for their children, but they don’t always have the answers. If you’re the chief nursing officer at your home, Martie Moore, Chief Nursing Officer, CURAD, and advisor to the American Nurses Foundation of the American Nurses Association, wants to arm you with the latest ideas on protecting your family this summer. With 30 years of experience, Moore has provided care in community health, emergency management, pediatrics and administrative leadership.
“With parenting comes many sleepless nights worrying about your children as they grow. They will fall. They will scrape their knees. But they aren’t nearly as fragile as they look,” says Moore. “My advice to parents has been consistent: Trust your gut and embrace your “mama bear instincts.” Use common sense. Have a good first-aid kit. And have fun with your kids.”
Click to Tweet: Summer fun doesn’t have to end in bumps, bruises and boo boos. How #CURAD can help the hurt
If you have a tenacious tyke, brave biker or waterpark warrior on your hands, here are four quick tips to help ease some summer safety stressors.
1. Keep a kit
We can’t prepare for everything, but a summer first aid kit should pack the essentials for unexpected cuts, bumps, bites, and bruises. HealthyChildren.org recommends numbing spray to help take the sting out of painful scrapes and sunburn, a clean towel to set up your impromptu first aid station, alcohol wipes and even an anti-itch cream in case your child comes in contact with poison ivy or bug bites.
“Scratching is one of the leading causes of infections,” says Moore. “Most people are active being outdoors and don’t think about what is under their nails when they scratch at an area that’s irritating the skin. You won’t always have access to soap and water, but a few spritzes of hand sanitizer can help in a pinch."
2. Fit your family needs
When assembling your first aid kit or buying any first aid product, choose items that best meet your family’s needs. Does your family have sensitive skin or allergies? What type of products do you need to protect against injuries most likely to occur at home, at play or on the road?
It’s also important to choose first-aid brands you trust. Look for products that are hospital grade and clinically tested to help improve wound care and increase comfort.
“All bandages are not the same. CURAD’s new Truly Ouchless ™ line is specifically designed with an innovative release adhesive so bandage removal is less painful than typical bandages,” says Moore. “When you’re ready to take a peek at how a scrape or cut is healing, these bandages also allow for comfortable repositioning without disrupting the wound.”
3. Put the brakes on bike injuries
In the U.S., studies show that three out of four children ride a bicycle each month. Furthermore, bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product apart from automobiles. An easy way to not become a statistic: wear a helmet and have parents lead by example. Experts also recommend making sure the bike is the correct size for their child and includes reflectors. If your child wipes out and falls on gravel, Moore suggests soaking the area in warm water to help remove any fine gravel embedded under the skin.
Click to Tweet: Consider soaking hands or knees in warm water to remove gravel under the skin after wipeouts says #CURAD CNO Martie Moore
4. Ignite your insight
The American Burn Association says roughly 250,000 children under age 17 require medical attention for burn injuries each year. With more people firing up the grill or starting a campfire this time of year, parents need to use common sense to help prevent burns. Experts say to establish a three-foot “Keep Away Zone” for children around grills. Roasting marshmallows by the campfire is a fond summer memory, but you must be responsible to never leave a burning fire unattended. With all these activities, adult supervision is a must.
Learn more about Truly Ouchless and other bandage solutions by visiting www.curad.com.
About CURAD
Since being acquired by Medline in 2007, the CURAD brand has been re-energized – introducing many innovative solutions for a broad range of health concerns. With new Truly Ouchless™ adhesive technology, rugged Performance Series™ bandages and tapes, and advanced options like hydrocolloid and antibacterial bandages, CURAD remains at the forefront of creating hospital-quality products for home use. Learn more at www.curad.com.
About Medline
Medline, the parent company of CURAD, is a global manufacturer and distributor of quality medical products and clinical solutions across the continuum of care. The global manufacturer and distributor serves the healthcare industry and helps customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., the company offers 350,000+ medical devices and support services through more than 1,200 direct sales representatives who are dedicated points of contact for customers across the continuum of care. For more information on Medline, go to www.medline.com or http://mkt.medline.com/advancing-blog/social-media/ to connect with Medline on its social media channels.