Helpful Health, Safety Guidelines Issued To Help

Protect Students Of All Ages

By John Voket

Organizations from Connecticut’s electrical utilities to the American College of Emergency Physicians have issued important reminders to parents and caregivers of returning college students to be sure those young people remain as safe and healthy as possible while they are away from home.

According to statistics from The National Fire Protection Association, fire departments in the United States respond to an average of more than 5,600 structure fires every year on school and college campuses. Cooking equipment is among the leading cause of those fires, which are most common weekdays between 11 am and 8 pm.

“Often these buildings have older wiring which wasn’t designed to handle what students have in their rooms today,” said Denise Ducimo, manager, safety, Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P). “There are refrigerators, microwaves, TVs, audio equipment, and other appliances that can add to the problem.”

With students now returning to school and college campuses, CL&P offers these tips to help keep them safe:

*Use only one appliance per outlet. If an appliance cord or the outlet feels hot, the appliance should be disconnected immediately. Students should report any outlets that are damaged or that no longer grip plugs properly to their campus housing staff immediately.

*Keep things away from appliances that get hot. A toaster oven can get hot enough to burn you and can ignite notebooks and loose papers. Look for appliances with automatic shutoff features so they are not accidentally left on all day. Turn off lights, the computer, and the audio equipment when leaving a room.

*Replace that halogen lamp with a floor lamp that uses compact fluorescent bulbs. They run much cooler and use only a quarter of the energy. Never drape towels, clothing, or any item other than an approved lamp shade over light bulbs — otherwise, they could ignite.

*If you use an electric blanket, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure you turn it off and unplug it when not in use. Never tuck in an electrical blanket.

*Do not use extension cords for long-term situations or overload extension cords, power strips, or outlets. Doing so may cause them to overheat and deteriorate quickly, which could result in a potential shock and/or fire hazard.

*Keep all electrical cords away from water in a sink or tub. Even an appliance that is not turned on but plugged in can be hazardous, and if it falls into a tub or sink may cause electrocution.

*Never bend, file, or cut a grounding pin from a three-pronged plug. This disarms the protection meant to keep you safe and presents a tremendous shock hazard. Inspect all appliances and electronics for frayed cords, broken plugs, or other damage. If damaged, stop using it immediately and repair or replace it.

*Take all on-campus fire alarms and drills seriously. Memorize the number of doors to the two nearest exits in your dormitory. Make sure you know evacuation procedures and escape plans. Bring along a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector if these devices are not available.

Keeping Students Healthy

On the health front, an estimated 55 million students nationwide from prekindergarten through twelfth grade head back into the classrooms in only a couple of weeks. The nation’s emergency physicians want every student to get to school safely, remain safe and healthy throughout the year, and not end up in the emergency department or perhaps even worse.

“This should be an exciting time of year for every student, focused on starting a new chapter in their lives,” said Dr Angela Gardner, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “Parents need to take important steps now to protect their children’s health before sending them back to school.”

ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.

The organization has created a list of medical priorities that should go right along with those lists that include buying pencils, notebooks, and backpacks. This will help both parents and children start the school year right.

*Organize your child’s medical history records and emergency medical contact information. Provide a copy of this information to your child’s school or daycare provider with instructions to take it with them to the emergency department if your child is sick or injured. The form should include information related to prescription medications, medical problems, or previous surgeries as well as pertinent family history and emergency contacts.

*Fill out consent-to-treat forms and give one to the school or your daycare provider for them to keep in your child’s record and to take with them if your child goes to the emergency department. The form will allow caregivers to authorize treatment in an emergency situation.

*Schedule medical and dental check-ups before school starts. Some children may need immunizations.

*Review and do a dry run of your child’s route to school, explaining potential hazards along the way. This is a good time to discuss safety rules and what to be on the lookout for with your child.

*If your child takes the school bus, establish a safe, visible pick up/drop off spot, preferably with a group of additional children and in an area where they can be clearly watched by adults.

*If your child drives to school, make sure they obey all laws and wear seatbelts. Also remind them that more children are waiting outside for school buses at that time and that more cars are on the roadways and all drivers need to stay alert.

*Make sure the children understand potential traffic dangers, especially if they walk to school.

*Make sure your children know how to telephone for help. Post emergency-contact numbers by every telephone in your home. Have them practice how to call 911 or the local emergency number, and giving their name, address, and a brief description of the problem.

*Develop a family emergency plan in case something happens on the way to or while at school.

*Be aware of any emergency and evacuation plans your children’s schools may have established.

“Going back to school for children should be about learning, participating in extracurricular activities, and spending time with friends and peers,” said Dr Gardner. “Even though we are here whenever you need us, we’d rather not have any of these kids end up in our emergency departments because of something that could have been avoided.”

Any of the aforementioned necessary medical forms, and other information on back to school safety or any other health related topic can be located at www.EmergencyCareForYou.org.

To learn more about electrical safety, visit www.cl-p.com, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov, Electrical Safety Foundation International at www.esfi.org, or The National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org.