HEALTHY HABITS
Saturday of each month, Rady Children’s child passenger safety technicians are available to inspect, educate and ensure correct installation and safe fit for your child. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit driventosafety.org . Children must remain in a rear-facing car seat until they’re at least two years old, but best practice is to keep children rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight and height of the car seat. Avoid the temptation to move your kid to a seatbelt too early. Children are required to use a booster seat until age 8, however, they must be able to sit back in the seat with their feet touching the ground and the seatbelt across their chest and hips. On the road, the same safety rules you’ve been following at home apply: Practice good hand hygiene, wear a mask when you’re outside your vehicle, and bring your own food and drinks to cut down on possible exposure. If you have to stop at a restaurant, dine outside if possible. In the Air Being in close quarters with people outside your household is unavoidable on an airplane. Wipe down high-touch surfaces like tray tables and armrests, use hand sanitizer, and wear a mask. Medina advises choosing a direct flight when possible, to help limit the number of people you’re exposed to. And although it’s an added cost, Lynn recommends booking an extra seat if you’re flying with an infant or toddler, to accommodate their carrier or convertible/ combination seat. “If you put them in their own seat that they’re used to, they often just fall asleep and are much more comfortable,” she says. It also protects against accidental falls during turbulence or rough landings. Find out the current COVID-19 case rate and test positivity percentage at your prospective destination so you can make an INFORMED DECISION
VACAT I ON
Safe Travels Keep health and safety in mind while away from home
N
ow that summer travel possibilities are starting to open up again, families are planning vacations to make up for lost time. Whether you
departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Johns Hopkins University’s online Coronavirus Resource Center are great resources for up-to-date information. Also, it’s imperative that you stay home if you, your child or someone else in your party becomes ill beforehand. “People never want to cancel a trip, but if someone isn’t feeling well, it’s best to stay home and avoid having contact with other people who might be at higher risk,” Medina says. On the Road If you’re planning a road trip with your little ones, car seat safety is key. Lorrie Lynn, manager of Injury Prevention Programs at Rady Children’s Center for Healthier Communities, says that about 70 percent of car seats are installed incorrectly. On the first and third
have a road trip or a destination getaway in mind, “it is really important that people continue to take all the same precautions that we’ve been doing up until this point,” says Megan Medina, RN, an infection preventionist at Rady Children’s. Before You Go First of all, if you can get vaccinated, do so before traveling. Find out the current COVID-19 case rate and test positivity percentage at your prospective destination so you can make an informed decision. Look for areas with lower rates, and if you choose an area where rates are high, prepare to be extra-vigilant. Local health
6 HEALTHY KIDS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021
Made with FlippingBook Online document maker