Concussions are a common occurrence in children – especially when engaging in play or sports. If you are a parent, teacher, or coach, it’s important to keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms indicative of a concussion. Dr. Chris Koutures, Pediatric and Sports Medicine Specialist at CHOC Children’s, describes the symptoms you should look for. Click here: http://www.choc.org/video/index.cfm?id=89

As an educator and literacy expert, I’ve often used books to help address events that life unexpectedly throws our way. Last week, I bought Teeth Are Not for Biting (by Elizabeth Verdick) for my grand-daughter, Ellie (age 2) who had pretty much been an angel until she suddenly bit her sister, twice!

Of course, Ellie’s mother talked to her in between bites, but we now have reinforcements with the rescue book for the no-biting regime. Written for toddlers, it’s informative with its brightly colored illustrations, clever descriptions of the functions of teeth, and clear instructions about chewing food slowly and using words instead of teeth! The publisher also carries other books that deal with socio-emotional issues (with some books for parents and professionals). For more on the series, visit Free Spirit Publishing at http://www.freespirit.com/.

I know there are many of you who have also reached for books along with band-aids. Which ones would you recommend for life’s little troubles?

A special contributor to the blog, Nancy Brashear, Ph.D., is a CHOC grandma and an expert specializing in literature for children and adolescents. You can read more at  www.grannywrites.com.

Taking a road trip can be a fun way for the family to spend a holiday weekend together. But it also can make for antsy passengers if they don’t have enough to keep them entertained. Here are a few tips to keep your family safe and content on the road this Labor Day weekend.

• Keep a first aid kit on hand hat contains antacids, throat lozenges, antiseptic cream, bandages, antibacterial wipes, insect repellant, sunscreen and aloe gel for sunburns. You also may want to include decongestants or antihistamines for allergies. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications family members regularly take.
• Stock up on plenty of nutritious snacks and drinks to supplement meal stops. Nonperishable items make the best and safest road food. Be sure to include water. Keeping your passengers hydrated will help them avoid fatigue and light-headedness.
• Bring a “fun bag” stuffed with favorite books, games, and other items your kids enjoy.
• Make sure your car is running well to avoid any roadside emergencies. Have your car checked for necessary repairs and, if necessary, have it serviced before leaving. Pack an emergency kit with jumper cables, a flashlight, flares and equipment for changing a tire, just in case.

Hope you and your loved ones enjoy a memorable – and safe – road trip!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently offered new guidelines to prevent heat illness and injury in young athletes. Before your kids start training for fall sports, please be sure to check out the following recommendations for those hot, humid days. By following the proper guidelines, you can ensure you and your athlete have a great – and safe – season!

• Ensure trained staff are available on-site to monitor for and promptly treat heat illness.
• Educate your children on how to prepare for the heat to improve safety and reduce the risk for heat illness.
• Allow children to gradually adapt to physical activity in the heat.
• Offer time for, and encourage sufficient fluid intake before, during and after exercise.
• Modify activity given the heat and limitations of individual athletes.
• Provide rest periods of at least two hours between same-day contests in warm to hot weather.
• Limit participation of children who have had a recent illness or have other risk factors that would reduce exercise-heat tolerance.

For more on this topic, please visit CHOC’s pediatric health library at: http://www.choc.org/healthlibrary/topic.cfm?PageID=P02822

Taking a road trip this summer? This can be so much fun for the entire family, but, it can also make for antsy kids if they don’t have enough to keep them entertained!

Before you head out, check out these helpful tips to keep your loved ones safe – and happy – on the road: 
http://www.choc.org/publications/articles.cfm?id=P00303&pub=KH&aid=517.

With year-round sports participation and an intense competitive environment, Orange County’s young athletes are at greater risk for injury, particularly overuse syndrome.

Comprehensive sports physical therapy services are now available much closer to home for South Orange County athletes. The CHOC Children’s Sports Medicine Program has opened a new office in Irvine to provide sports medicine physical therapy for school-age children and precollegiate teens.

“We are addressing the many issues associated with competitive youth sports, including preseason screening for injury prevention, nutrition, sports psychology and physical rehabilitation,” says CHOC Children’s pediatric orthopaedic surgeon John Schlechter, D.O. “Our goal is to work in conjunction with primary care physicians in order to provide the best care for athletes.”

The CHOC Children’s Sports Medicine Program, the only one of its kind in Orange County, is supported by CHOC cardiologists, pulmonologists, allergists, neurologists and neurosurgeons.

To learn more about the services available through the CHOC Children’s Sports Medicine Program in Orange and Irvine, please call 714-289-4054 or click here: http://www.choc.org/orthopaedics/index.cfm?id=P00184. 

The CHOC Children’s Sports Medicine Program Irvine office is located at 980 Roosevelt, Suite 100.

Do you have a new driver in your family? While it can be an exciting time, the latest teen driving statistics are pretty sobering.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, although teen drivers (ages of 15 and 20) constitute almost 10 percent of all licensed drivers, they are involved in 12 percent of fatal motor vehicle-related crashes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a 16-year-old driver is more than 20 times as likely to have a motor vehicle crash than any other licensed driver. In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 16- to 20-year olds?

Our CHOC Children’s Community Education Department has put together some safety tips for teen drivers, passengers and parents:

As a driver:
 Wear your seat belt and insist that passengers also wear theirs. In California, a driver can still get a ticket if their passenger is not buckled up.
 Crash risk is particularly high during the first year that teenagers are eligible to drive. New drivers have elevated crash risks, especially for teens younger than 18.  Young drivers are at greater risk for injury and death because they lack judgment that comes with maturity and skill that comes with practice.
 It is ok to tell passengers, “Please do not distract me while I’m driving.” Research shows that a teen’s risk of being involved in a crash increases greatly with each peer passenger in the car.
 Pull over to use your cell phone or have your passenger answer it instead.

As a passenger:
 Always wear your seat belt. As children get older, studies show their seat belt use rates tend to decline.  Parents tend to overestimate their teen’s seat belt use rate. 
 Respect your driver. Be helpful by reading directions, avoid talking loudly, or playing loud music.
 It is ok to refuse to get in a car if you think it is an unsafe situation. Develop a code word.  Calling or texting your parent with a previously agreed-upon code word that signals trouble can help teens get out of an unsafe situation. 

As a parent:
 Get involved! Involved parents who set rules and monitor their teens’ driving behavior in a supportive way can lower their teens’ crash risk by half.
 Know the law. Many youngsters are eager to know when they can get a driver’s license.  In California, they must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for a provisional driver’s license.  There are special restrictions and requirements for drivers under 18.  For more information, visit dmv.ca.gov 
 Be a good role model. Follow the rules of the road, do not talk or text on your phone while driving.  Make sure you’re not speeding or tailgating.
 Create a Passenger Agreement with your teen. By setting clear expectations, a Passenger Agreement can help reinforce key behaviors that keep teens safe as passengers now and as drivers later.

For more information from CHOC’s Community Outreach experts, please visit http://www.choc.org/community/

Summer is officially here – meaning summer vacation for most kids and teens! If you have a teen at home, he or she may be driving around more often than when in school. Talk openly with your kids about their cell phone use and the dangers of texting or calling while driving.

Did you know that drivers using cell phones to send text messages are six times more likely to crash than those concentrating only on driving, according to a study in the journal Human Factors? Know the Risks! For must-read tips for your teens, please click here: http://www.choc.org/publications/articles.cfm?id=P00303&pub=KH&aid=595