Avoiding Summer Hazards

 Publications >June E-Newsletter> Avoiding Summer Hazards

In partnership with Franciscan Hospital for Children, the non-profit organization WATCH (World Against Toys Causing Harm) conducted their annual Summer Safety press conference.  Highlighted at the event were the safety precautions parents and caregivers should take to make it an enjoyable summer. 

 
Mary Fortunato-Habib, Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer at the hospital, kicked off the press conference.  "While we've had many patient successes using the latest rehabilitative therapies, the best way to treat those injuries is to prevent them in the first place."  Last year alone 927 patient days were spent by children here at the hospital recovering from traumatic brain injuries. 
 
"We can't assume that just because an item is on the shelf it's going to be safe-it's going to protect our children adequately because it very well may not," said James Swartz, a director of W.A.T.C.H.  While recalls may decrease the number of dangerous toys on the market, child safety advocates say they don't replace vigilance by parents. 
 
In addition to unsafe toys, precautions for water play were also discussed.  Click here for a full list of the summer hazards to avoid.

Picture (l to r): Joan E. Siff, Director of WATCH; Mary Fortunato-Habib, V.P. Patient Services & Chief Nursing Officer; Edward M. Swartz, Founder and President of WATCH.

To learn more about WATCH, visit http://www.toysafety.org/.

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