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Don't Forget About Holiday Poisoning Pitfalls

Poison experts see it every winter holiday season: Parents rush kids to the emergency room or call hotlines, panicking that their child has ingested something dangerous.

Between holiday breaks, visiting relatives' homes, attending festivities, and opening gifts galore, kids face extra risks for accidental exposure to poison.

In addition to heart felt season’s greetings, the <...

Most Parents Don't Ask About Unlocked Guns in Homes Their Kids Visit

Most parents haven’t considered the potential risk of an unlocked, poorly stored firearm in a house their child is visiting, a new study shows.

More than 60% of Illinois parents have never asked another parent about an unlocked gun in their home before allowing their child to visit for a playdate, researchers found.

Most said they never asked because it didn’t occur to t...

More Kids Having Seizures After Swallowing Rx Painkillers, Synthetic Pot

The number of U.S. children who suffer seizures after swallowing prescription medications or illicit drugs has doubled in recent years, a new study finds.

Drug poisonings among kids resulting in seizures increased from 1,418 in 2009 to 2,749 in 2023, steadily rising about 5% each year, results showed.

These cases doubled among children ages 6 to 19 during that 15-year period, resear...

Parents or Ambulance: How a Child Reaches an ER Could Matter

It’s natural for a parent to bundle an injured child into a car and rush their kid to the emergency room.

But that decision could actually delay their child’s emergency care, a new study shows.

Severely injured children brought to an ER by their parents aren’t treated as quickly as those who arrive via ambulance, the researchers discovered.

On average, a chil...

2 Million Fisher-Price Infant Swings Recalled After 5 Deaths

The Fisher-Price company is recalling more than 2 million of its Snuga infant swings, after the suffocation and deaths of five infants who went to sleep while in the swings.

"The swing should never be used for sleep and bedding materials should never be added to it," according to an alert from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 11, 2024
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  • EPA Finalizes Rule to Require Removal of Lead Pipes in U.S. Water System

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday finalized a rule that will require the removal of all lead pipes from the country's water systems.

    “We’ve known for decades that lead exposure has serious long-term impacts for children’s health. And yet, millions of lead service lines are still delivering drinking water to homes,” EPA Administrator

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 8, 2024
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  • Grandma, the Family Dog: Unexpected Sources of Opioid Tragedies for Young Kids

    Grandma's pill organizer. Fido's pain medication. A tossed-away tissue.

    All are potential sources of opioid poisoning for young children, researchers at the New Jersey Poison Control Center report.

    Their five-year look at 230 cases of opioid exposure in children between 1 month and 6 years of age shows how easily they get their hands on dangerous drugs.

    "I've seen too many kid...

    One Gun Law Reduces School Shooting Deaths

    Laws that ban assault weapons do indeed protect children from dying in mass shootings, but the same can't be said for more common types of gun restrictions and regulations, new research shows.

    “Mass shootings are horrific events. We found that large capacity magazine bans may have the biggest effect on reducing child deaths in mass shootings,” said senior study author

    Most Parents Are Moving Kids Out of Car Booster Seats Too Soon

    Most parents are placing their kids in harms’ way by moving them out of their car booster seat too soon, a new study warns.

    Four out of five parents moved their kid out of a booster seat before the child was big enough, according to the report, Boos...

    Gun Deaths to Children and Teens Have Risen in Almost All States

    As news of yet another senseless school shooting makes headlines, a new report finds the number of children who lose their lives to injury and gun violence has risen in almost all states since 2018.

    Rates of deaths caused by injuries overall have also risen, with firearms being the leading cause of those injuries in many states, report a team led by

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 6, 2024
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  • Experts Warn of Unsafe Fake Children's Car Seats Sold Online

    Jillian Davis was pleased to be gifted a car seat during her pregnancy, from a family member who bought it online from a major retailer.

    But following the delivery of her daughter in late June, a car seat tech at her Salt Lake City hospital informed her that the seat was an unsafe counterfeit.

    “It’s completely shocking because this is my fourth child and I’ve never...

    Child ER Visits Linked to Water Beads Doubled in One Year

    Child safety experts have warned about the sometimes lethal dangers of toy water beads.

    Now, a report finds a doubling in just one year of U.S. pediatric ER visits linked to the products.

    “The number of pediatric water bead-related emergency department visits is increasing rapidly,” said study senior author

  • Ernie Mundell HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 14, 2024
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  • Feds Issue Warnings on 'Copycat' Delta-8 Products That Mimic Popular Foods

    In a joint effort to curb the illegal sales of food products containing delta-8 THC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday they have warned five companies to stop marketing such products.

    Because the packaging for these THC edibles mimics that of popular snack foods, the FDA said it is concerned they can be easily mistaken for traditional food...

    Gun Laws Help Lower Suicides, not Murders, Among Children

    Restrictive gun laws can decrease suicide rates among children and teenagers, but they don't seem to lower their risk of being murdered, a new study says.

    States with laws requiring safe storage of firearms and mandatory waiting periods had lower suicide death rates among kids younger than 18, researchers report.

    However, no gun laws appeared to lower children's risk of being murder...

    Supreme Court to Hear Case Challenging FDA's Ban of Flavored Vapes

    In a case that will test the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's authority to approve or reject new vaping products, the U.S. Supreme Court said Tuesday it will weigh whether the agency was legally allowed to ban flavored e-cigarettes.

    In recent years, the FDA has declined to approve flavored vapes, saying they pose a health risk because they encourage young people to use e-cigarettes. Bu...

    Childhood Exposure to Air Pollution May Trigger Bronchitis Years Later

    Exposure to air pollution as a child increases an adult's risk of bronchitis, a new study warns.

    Young adults with bronchitis symptoms tended to have been exposed during childhood to two types of air pollutants, researchers found:

    • Particle pollution from dust, pollen, wi...

    Loaded, Unlocked Guns Common in American Homes, Study Finds

    In half of American homes containing a loaded gun, that gun is kept unsecured and ready for potential use, often with children in the home, new research shows.

    The finding is especially troubling given the link between gun accessibility and accidental child deaths, as well as rising rates of gun-related suicides in the United States, researchers said.

    "The presence of a firearm in t...

    U.S. Deaths Linked to ATVs Rose by a Third in One Year

    In just one year, U.S. deaths linked to the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) jumped by a third, according to the latest report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

    With another summer set to begi...

    Melatonin Gummies to Get Safety Labeling, Child-Safe Bottles After Poisonings

    In the wake of a sharp rise in the number of young children accidentally eating melatonin supplements, an industry group has called for tougher safety guidelines for packaging and labeling the sleep-aid supplements.

    Companies have 18 to 24 months to voluntarily add child-deterrent packaging and improve warning language on the labels of over-the-counter melatonin products, the Council...

    Don't Use 'Comfi' Baby Walkers Due to Injury Dangers

    Your baby could be endangered by now-recalled Comfi Baby Infant Walkers, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned Thursday.

    The walkers, sold on Amazon, "violate the federal safety regulations for infant walkers because they can fit through a standard doorway, are not designed to stop at the edge of a step and have leg openings that allow the child to slip down until the child...

    U.S. School Shootings Have Risen 12-fold Since 1970

    During the past half-century, the United States' annual number of school shootings has increased more than twelvefold, a new study finds.

    What's more, children are now four times more likely to be a school shooting victim, and the death rate from school shootings has risen more than sixfold.

    "Firearm violence is a public health crisis, and it needs to be addressed,"said lead researc...

    ER Visits for Infant, Child Melatonin Poisonings Are Soaring

    As more Americans pop over-the-counter melatonin to help them sleep, their young children are increasingly showing up in ERs after accidentally ingesting the supplements.

    A new report of data from 2012 through 2021 finds a 420% rise in such cases during that time, along with a 530% inc...

    Florida Surgeon General Defies CDC Guidance Amid School Measles Outbreak

    Amid an outbreak of measles at a Florida elementary school, the state's surgeon general has defied federal health guidance and told parents it's up to them whether they want to keep their unvaccinated child home to avoid infection.

    In a letter to parents of children attendin...

    School Lockdown Drills Help Students Feel Safer: Study

    Lockdown drills have become a shudder-inducing part of American life, preparing kids to lie low and keep quiet if a gunman chooses to roam their school.

    But a new study finds these drills help children who've been exposed to violence, helping them feel safer at school.

    The findings contradict claims that drills traumatize children rather than making them feel secure, researchers sai...

    Detergent Pod Poisoning Threat to Kids Hasn't Gone Away

    The health dangers posed by colorful detergent pods continues to plague young children, a new study warns.

    U.S. poison control centers still receive one call every 44 minutes about a young child who's been harmed through exposure to a liquid laundry detergent pod, researchers report.

    The steady stream of calls is evidence that voluntary standards adopted by detergent manufacturers i...

    Small Magnetic Balls Sold at Walmart Recalled Over Swallowing Dangers

    Tiny, powerful magnetic balls sold exclusively online at Walmart as building blocks and stress relievers have been recalled for swallowing dangers, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) said Thursday.

    In announcing the recall, the commission pointed to thousands of hospitalizations and at least seven deaths linked to similar products.

    Swallowing magnets is dangerous be...

    Stop Using 'Baby Loungers' Due to Suffocation Risk, Feds Warn

    A popular infant lounger violates U.S. safety standards because it poses a fall hazard and suffocation risk to babies, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns.

    Though a notice of violation has been issued to the seller, Poetint002 of China, the company has not agreed to recall the loungers or offer consumers a remedy, the CPSC said in a

  • Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter
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  • December 29, 2023
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  • Cases of Lead Poisoning Linked to Fruit Puree Pouches Reaches 251

    At least 251 cases of lead poisoning linked to tainted fruit puree pouches have now been reported in 34 states, U.S. health officials said.

    That's up from 205 cases reported in the last weekly tally, the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention noted in its latest update

    Too Often, Unlocked, Loaded Guns Are Fatal Playthings for America's Children

    A loaded revolver left out on a nightstand, a curious child -- and unimaginable tragedy.

    Moments like this have occurred in American homes hundreds of times over the past two decades, killing 1,262 children, according to a sobering new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    "Overall, firearms used in [these] unintentional injury deaths were often stored loa...

    Noisy Holiday Toys Are No Gift to a Child's Hearing

    Parents moaning over the noise from a new Christmas toy is a time-honored holiday tradition.

    But noisy playthings can do long-lasting damage to a child's hearing, the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) is warning parents.

    Tiny ears are particularly susceptible to hearing damage, the AAA says. The inner ear contains delicate hair cells that don't regrow, resulting in permanent heari...

    E-Scooter on Your Kids' Holiday Gift List? Experts Have Warnings, Safety Tips

    An electric scooter might be on your kid's wish list for Christmas, but pediatricians say parents should think twice before buying one.

    Even taking a child on a ride with an e-scooter is a dicey proposition, said Dr. Ashley Ebersole, a pediatrician with Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio.

    ...

    Baseball Puts Kids' Elbows at Risk, Study Shows

    FRIDAY, DEC. 1, 2023 (Healthday News) -- Millions of American kids and teens love to play the game of baseball, but the sport can leave many with elbow pain and injuries, new research finds.

    "When we look at the forces that baseball players, even Little League baseball players, deal with during routine practice and games, it becomes apparent why elbow injuries are so common amongst this g...

    EPA to Require Removal of All Lead Pipes From U.S. Water System

    THURSDAY, Nov. 30, 2023 (Healthday News) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it plans to require the removal of all lead pipes from the country's water systems.

    The proposed rule, an ambitious effort that will cost up to $30 billion over the next decade, would affect about 9 million pipes that send water to homes in countless communities across the United S...

    FDA Looking at Cinnamon as Source of Lead in Fruit Puree Products

    FRIDAY, Nov. 17, 2023 (Healthday News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday it has found early evidence that cinnamon may be the source of high levels of lead in fruit puree pouches that have now sickened 34 children.

    The agency, in partnership with the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, has been investigating illnesses linked to the consumption of Apple Cinna...

    FDA Moves Against Vape Products That Mimic Toys, Slushies and Appeal to Kids

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking action against e-cigarettes disguised to look like everyday items that appeal to young people.

    The FDA sent warning letters Thursday to seven online retailers that were selling unauthorized vape devices that look like drink containers, toys and phones.

    The products' design could appeal to young people and help them conceal e-cigarettes...

    CDC to Release Infants' RSV Shots to Help Ease Shortage

    To address a continuing nationwide shortage, more than 77,000 doses of RSV shots for infants were released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    The additional doses are of Beyfortus, a long-acting monoclonal antibody designed to protect infants too young for vaccination against RSV.

    They will be distributed immedi...

    CDC Tells Docs to Look for Lead Poisoning in Kids, as Fruit Puree Investigation Continues

    TUESDAY, Nov. 14, 2023 (Healthday News) -- Doctors need to be on the lookout for lead poisoning in children as the latest tally of kids exposed to the toxin after consuming pouches of cinnamon-flavored apple puree climbed to 22, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.

    In a

  • Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter
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  • November 14, 2023
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  • Baby Activity Centers Sold at Walmart Recalled Due to Injury Risk

    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Dorel Juvenile Group have announced a recall of an infant/toddler activity center due to injuries.

    The Cosco Jump, Spin & Play Activity Centers were sold exclusively at Walmart. Straps holding the seat can detach or break while a child is sitting in it, possibly causing a fall, according to the recall notice.

    The recall follows 141...

    Biometric Gun Safes Recalled After 12-Year-Old's Death

    More than 60,000 gun safes have been recalled following the death of a 12-year-old boy and dozens of reports that unauthorized people can open the Fortress Safe devices.

    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said a pr...

    America's Pediatricians Offer Tips for a Safe Halloween

    As pint-size witches, ghosts and superheroes roam the streets on Halloween, it's important for adults to keep their eyes on safety.

    "It's always best for an adult to accompany young children when they trick-or-treat,"said Dr. Sadiqa Kendi, chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Boston Medical Cen...

    Kids Still Getting Injured After Swallowing High-Powered Magnets

    Despite warnings and public education campaigns, kids continue to suffer injuries from swallowing small but strong magnets, according to a new study.

    Children are also inserting high-powered, rare-earth balls into their ears and noses, even in households where parents fully understand the dangers of the toys, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

    "High-powered, rare...

    Mom's Curling Iron Can Be Big Burn Hazard for Kids

    Tens of thousands of U.S. children received burns over a decade from beauty devices found in many homes: curling irons.

    "Hair styling tools are a timeless piece of our everyday routine, helping to create the picture-perfect look. Yet they have the greatest propensity to create a not so picture-perfect accident when not handled with care,"said Dr. Brandon Rozanski, lead author of a new stu...

    70 Million 'Slime Licker' Candies Recalled Due to Choking Risk

    Candy Dynamics Inc. said Thursday it is recalling 70 million of its candies because they can pose a choking hazard.

    The recall is for its "Slime Licker Sour Rolling Liquid Candies."

    Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled candy.

    It's a product that features a plastic bottle with a rolling ball that holds a sour liquid candy. The ball can come loose and potential...

    Big Rise Seen in Gun Deaths, Overdoses Among U.S. Kids

    America's kids are safer now than a decade ago when it comes to many types of injury, with two glaring exceptions: drugs and guns.

    That's the crux of a new study that looked at injury trends among U.S. children and teenagers between 2011 and 2021.

    It found that nonfatal injuries from accidents and assaults fell by 55% and 60%, respectively, during that time period. That included sub...

    Keeping Baby Safe: Follow These Tips to Lower Sleep Risks

    It's always a good time to check your baby's sleep space.

    The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released its annual report on the topic, showing that risks associated with nursery products continue to be high. More than 160 babi...

    Water Beads Can Expand Inside Body, Causing Kids Serious Harm. Should They Be Banned?

    Ashley Haugen's 13-month-old daughter, Kipley, woke up projectile vomiting in their Texas home one morning in July 2017.

    The Haugens took her to the doctor after it became apparent she wasn't keeping anything down. After not responding to medication, Kipley was whisked to a nearby children's hospital for emergency surgery.<...

    Unsafe Neighborhoods Have Higher Levels of Child Abuse

    Having safer neighborhoods, where families feel less stress, can help prevent child abuse, according to new research that supports this long-suspected theory.

    When parents feel higher levels of stress or hopelessness about their surroundings, they may have a harder time caring for their children,

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 25, 2023
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  • Another School Sports Season: How to Lower Your Child's Odds for Injury

    Playing sports can offer a lot of benefits for kids, but it's also important to help protect them from injuries.

    Parents and coaches can make a big difference in helping kids play safely, according to Nemours Kids Health.

    The medical organization suggests starting with proper equipment. Use it, but also make sure the safety gear is the right size, fits well and is right for the sp...

    ADHD Drug Errors Among Kids Have Quadrupled in 20 Years

    Over 3 million American children now take medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but new research shows medication errors have spiked nearly 300% in the past two decades for these kids.

    The increase in ADHD medication errors parallels the increase in ADHD diagnoses, said study co-author

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 18, 2023
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  • Parks, Playgrounds Built on Old Dump Sites Could Be Hotspots for Lead

    That beautiful park you walk through could be hiding dangerous levels of lead. So, too, could the soil under the play equipment where your children slide and swing.

    New research in the United States finds that urban parks built on sites where waste was incinerated could be hotspots for lead.

    "We found that city parks and playgrounds built on the site of a former waste incinera...