To Grandmother’s (Dangerous?) House We Go

Later this week, holiday travels will draw families together for sumptuous feasts, giggles, gift exchanges and more.

And with so many loved ones milling about – crowding kitchens, sipping wine and getting caught up in the holiday cheer – it’s not uncommon the littlest guests to sneak off and find their way into trouble.

“We see too many toddlers suffer injuries while visiting grandparents, or while at holiday gatherings where their parents are otherwise distracted,” says Dr. Anne Brayer, an emergency department pediatrician at the University of Rochester Medical Center, who also co-directs the local Injury Free Coalition for Kids chapter.

So, how do you keep curious little fingers from finding danger – especially in a non-child-proofed home? Brayer offers the following tips:

• Before settling into the fun with friends and family, quickly scan the room that youngsters are in. Don’t let the munchkins toddle off without having made sure there are no open outlets, electric cords, or easy-to-swallow items in reach. Also pay special attention to pointy-edged coffee tables, wall corners that jut out, or any other sharp objects an infant could bump her head on – and watch out for kitchens, bathrooms, and other cabinets that might hold cleaning supplies.
• Don’t leave children without an adult. Well-meaning cousins or other grade-school-aged friends might not recognize potentially risky situations. What’s more, they often get so carried away in amusing one another, they forget to make babies’ and toddlers’ safety their first priority.
• Monitor a child’s interaction with pets. Little ones might be tempted to grab Fluffy’s tail, or even try to climb Fido, causing some pets to lash out. “Dog bites are especially problematic this time of year, since many dogs who aren’t used to toddlers horsing around the house,” Dr. Brayer warns. Even subdued pets can easily knock over little ones.

Remember, no one wants to spoil a holiday with a trip to the emergency room (or worse, carry the guilt of having a little guest injured at their house!) – so while it may seem cumbersome to pay extra attention to youngsters and prepare the house for their arrival, make the effort! It’s time well-spent.

Wishing you a most safe and happy holiday season!

Scripts will not publish next week, but returns Wednesday, Jan. 4. Happy New Year!

Get the Lead Out: Understanding – and Avoiding – Lead Poisoning

Big box home improvement stores have thrown down the gauntlet, holding summertime paint sales that practically beg you to renovate.

But don’t reach for that scraper just yet. If you’re living in a home built before 1978 (if you live in Rochester, the chances are good, considering a whopping 87 percent of the city’s housing was constructed prior to 1950), there are real, often under-appreciated health risks associated with stirring up dust from old, lead-based paints. Risks are especially concerning for children’s developing brains and nervous systems.  What’s more, symptoms of lead poisoning might not be obvious until effects surface later in life in the form of learning disabilities, difficulty concentrating, reproductive troubles, and more.

Wondering why lead was added to paint to begin with? Or how you can protect yourself and loved ones from exposure risks during your next renovation project? Watch the clip below to hear environmental health expert Dr. Katrina Korfmacher discuss some history, risks and safety considerations related to lead paints. (You also can learn more about URMC’s efforts to eliminate lead poisoning in the Rochester area, here.)

Remember: Lead poisoning is preventable, but its effects are irreversible. Practice prudence when you paint, sand or scrape.

For additional national and local resources, check out:

• http://www.epa.gov/lead/
• http://www.letsmakeleadhistory.org/
• http://www.cityofrochester.gov/lead/ (Alternately, you can call 585-428-LEAD with concerns.)
• http://www.monroecounty.gov/eh-leadpoisoning.php (Dial 585-753-5087 to learn more.)