MRSA Facts
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Bike Helmets: "A Necessity not Accessory"
More than 540,000 people are treated annually in emergency departments for bicycle related injuries. Child under the age of 14 are five times more likely to be injured in bicycle-related crash than older riders. Seventy percent of fatal bike crashes involve head injuries, yet only 20-25 percent of riders wear a helmet.
Here is some helpful information about bike helmets:
- Establish the helmet habit early.
Have your children wear helmets as soon as they begin using ride-on toys, so it becomes a habit at an early age.
Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride your bike, wear your helmet.
- Talk to your children about protecting their heads.
Tell your children bikes are vehicles, not toys, and that most professional athletes use helmets when participating in sports.
- Remind them it’s the law!
All children under age 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in Connecticut, and it is the parent or guardian, not the child, who gets the warning for noncompliance.
- Don’t let children ride their bikes unless they wear their helmets.
Be consistent. If you allow your children to ride occasionally without their helmets, they won’t believe that helmet use is really important.
A bicycle helmet should fit comfortably and snugly. It should sit on top of the head in a level position, and should not be able to rock from side to side. The straps must always be secured.
Bike riding is a fun activity that helps keep kids fit. We need to keep it safe as well. Remember, use your head, wear a helmet.
Resources: http://safekids.org/ and Brain Injury Association of Connecticut
**National Influenza Vaccination Week**
December 6-12, 2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of December 6-12, 2009, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. This event is designed to highlight the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine through the months of December, January and beyond.
CDC is recommending that people take this opportunity to be vaccinated and is hopeful that flu vaccine providers will use this time to enhance flu vaccine availability by scheduling additional clinics; extend clinic hours; and enabling a larger role for mass vaccination at places such as retail locations.
For more information on the seasonal flu or to find a flu clinic near you, you can visit the following websites:
The Official State of Connecticut www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/fluclinic
Connecticut Department of Public Health www.ct.gov/dph/
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
American Lung Association of CT http://www.flucliniclocator.org/
For more information on receiving the flu vaccine, please contact your physician.
Children and the Flu Vaccine
When to get children vaccinated:
The best time to get vaccinated is October or November. Children six months to 9 years of age getting a flu shot for the first time will need two doses of vaccine the first year they are vaccinated, with the first dose ideally in September. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose “primes” the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Keep this in mind if your child needs the two doses -begin the process early! It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.
Because flu viruses change every year, the vaccine is updated annually. So even if you or your children got a flu shot last year, you both still need to get a flu shot this season to be protected. If October and November slip by, and you haven ’t gotten your children or yourself vaccinated, you should get vaccinated in December or later. Flu season can occur anytime from November through April, so getting the vaccine in December or later still offers protection in most years.
Visit the CDC’s website for more information:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/parents/index.htm
Contact your child’s physician for help in deciding if the flu vaccine is right for your child.
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