Ohio AAP Shares Common Mistakes Parents Make that Put Children at Risk

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) works to protect children of all ages and keep our communities safe and strong by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources to care for their children as they move from infancy through adolescence. As April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Ohio AAP would like to draw attention to a few common mistakes parents make that could ultimately endanger their children.

"As a mother, I know that there are things I may do that can unintentionally put my child at risk," said Melissa Wervey-Arnold, CEO of Ohio AAP. "No parent is perfect, which is why we must be vigilant in raising awareness of the dangers these common habits can cause, and promoting safe practices to parents and families."

"Just a few simple actions can make all the difference in the world," said Kristen Rost, executive director, Ohio Children's Trust Fund. "Ohio AAP is performing a vital service by letting parents know about these common but very dangerous mistakes."

The Ohio AAP is focusing on three things that parents often do without realizing their potential harm:

• Putting Children to Sleep in Unsafe Environments: Parents can protect babies by ensuring they are always sleeping in a safe environment.
  • Infant mortality is a huge public health problem in Ohio, where three babies die every week in an unsafe sleep environment.
  • In Franklin County alone, there were 14 infant deaths linked to unsafe sleep between January and July of 2015.
  • Babies should always be placed to sleep Alone, on their Back, in a Crib that is free from blankets, bumpers, pillows and soft toys. Sleep sacks are a safe way to keep babies warm while sleeping.
• Not Enforcing Bike Helmet Use: Parents who model wearing their bike helmet increase the likelihood of a child wearing their helmet.
  • 75 percent of bike-related fatalities would be prevented with a helmet.
  • Helmet use can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent and severe brain injury by 88 percent.
• Failure to lock up dangerous household products: Parents put their children at risk by not locking up products like household cleaners or liquid nicotine.
  • Contents of liquid nicotine are currently unregulated and contain high amounts of nicotine in small volumes. Even a very small volume consumed could be fatal.
  • Flavors like bubble gum and gummy bears make it very attractive to curious children.

For more safe sleep and injury prevention resources, visit www.ohioaap.org.

The Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) promotes the health, safety and well-being of children and adolescents so they may reach their full potential. The Ohio AAP works to accomplish this by addressing the needs of children, their families, and their communities, and by supporting Chapter members through advocacy, education, research, and improving the systems through which they deliver pediatric care.

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SOURCE The Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics

Related Links

http://www.ohioaap.org