July 2, 2010

Summer Camp Safety - What Precautions and Safety Measures Prevent Child Injuries?

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Summer is in full effect and many parents are considering whether or not to send their children off to summer camp. Parents want to ensure that their children are provide with a safe and healthy environment at summer camp. According to health experts, the main parental concerns include sunscreen application, hydration and preventing illnesses. However, parents also need to be concerned about the psychological health of their children - especially in the form of homesickness and bullying. One method parents can utilize to relieve some of their anxiety is to check whether or not a prospective summer camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). If a summer camp is accredited by the ACA, that is a key sign the camp is committed to the overall safety, health, and well being of a child. ACA accredited camps are required to follow more than 300 health and safety guidelines.

Parents who have children on medication to collaborate with their child's pediatrician as well as the camp's medical staff and create a medication plan for the child. ADHD is a common condition among children who attend summer camps. Because school is not in session, parents have a tendency to take their children off prescribed medications during the summer break - a practice often proves ineffective. One way to prepare for homesickness is to send children on overnight sleepovers, suggests Walton. Parents should not offer to come pick their children up because that option will be unavailable when the children are away at summer camp. By doing so, parents prepare their children to become more independent and camp ready for the overnight summer camp experience.

Although parents may, at first, have reservations about sending their children off to summer camps, the experience can be a very positive part of the child's development. It is suggested that summer camps accelerate childrens' development in areas such as independence and self esteem. To read more about this topic is Child Safety at Summer Camps.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Summer Camps / Day Camps

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May 27, 2010

Importance of Swimming Pool Safety and Adult Supervision

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In Florida, there are swimming pools in virtually every neighborhood. Each swimming pool is a danger zone to small children and those children who are not strong swimmers. Parents, teachers, summer camp counselors, babysitters, day care providers, and other child care providers should recognize that children have poor safety awareness and judgment especially when it comes to swimming pools, lakes, ponds, and other waterways. Swimming pools are "attractive nuisances" that intrigue children and make them explore further even though they are told not to and even though there may be a lack of parental or adult supervision. In a matter of a few seconds, a child can suffer serious personal injuries and even a tragic death as a result of a drowning incident.

In Orange County, Florida, the Orlando Sentinel recently reported that a child was transported to a hospital after being retrieved from a swimming pool. The incident took place in the Pine Hills area of Orange County. Fire Rescue was dispatched to the area and CPR was performed. The child was later taken to and treated at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital. See Small Child Rushed to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital After Being Pulled from Swimming Pool.

A personal injury to a child from a drowning incident is one too many especially if the drowning incident could have been prevented. Make sure to fence and appropriate secure all swimming pool areas.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Homeowner's Insurance / Injuries at a Home , Summer Camps / Day Camps , Swimming Pool & Aquatic Injuries

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April 7, 2010

Bonita Springs (Florida) Fire Control and Rescue District Promotes Water Safety and Drowning Prevention

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Florida has beautiful weather and virtual year round boating and swimming. Because of the weather and access to waters of the ocean, rivers, lakes, ponds, and pools, there is plenty of risk to children and those who do not know how to swim. In an effort to educate parent, child care givers, teachers, and others, the Bonita Springs (Florida) Fire Control and Rescue District published a safety packet that includes a CPR Instruction Sheet, Expert Water Safety Tips, and a Safety Survey.

The Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District personnel would certainly rather educate residents than respond to a tragedy. Safety precautions are paramount for children near any area of water. A drowning can happen in a matter of minutes and can take place in a mere inches of water. You can read more about the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District efforts at Safety Packet to Promote Water Safety.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Summer Camps / Day Camps , Swimming Pool & Aquatic Injuries

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March 31, 2010

Florida State Lawmakers Promote Bill that Would Support Liability Waivers Subject to Certain Conditions

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Florida lawmakers are supporting a bill that would address the validity of waiver of liability forms for children engaged in recreational, sports, and other activities. An important amendment to the bill would still allow a parent to file a lawsuit against the business if there was negligence on the part of the business. It appears that the bill as proposed would only apply to the inherent dangers of the activity rather than injuries suffered as a result of poor supervision, inadequate maintenance, or other negligence. You can read more about this bill at Lawmakers Considering Bill Regarding Liability Waivers for Children.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Attractions & Theme Parks , Child Safety , Playground & Recreation Injuries , Sport Related Injuries , Summer Camps / Day Camps

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November 12, 2009

Florida Lawmakers Urge Nonprofits to Check Backgrounds of Volunteers

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According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 62 million people volunteer at least one day a year. Those volunteering to work with the elderly, children or the disabled persons are likely to be screened for “red flags” in their criminal history, such as convictions for drugs, violent crimes, sex crimes and child abuse. The ability to use national criminal history checks to screen out volunteers with certain types of criminal records has been made possible by the National Child Protection Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

In Florida, a state law requires schools to check volunteers against the sexual predator and offender database. A proposed law would also require youth sports organizations to check the backgrounds of coaches and referees. Some Florida volunteers who have been turned away from positions have hired a lawyer and plan to argue that the background checks violate their rights to privacy.

Checking someone’s background only costs few dollars. That seems like a small price to pay to be able to ensure parents and caregivers that their loved-ones will not be in the care of a person with a known or reported criminal history.

Read more about national laws and policies for criminal background checks on volunteers at Volunteers screened before working with children, elderly.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Child Safety , Crimes Against Children , Day Camps / Summer Camps , Day Care Centers and Child Care , Education , Education Law , Negligent Security , School Safety , Sexual Offenders / Predators , Special Needs Children , Special Needs Children , Statutory References (Florida) , Summer Camps / Day Camps , Violent Crimes

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August 20, 2009

Tetherball Play Equipment Is Dangerous for Pre-School Children - 3 Year Old Seriously Injured in New Port Richey, Florida

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In New Port Richey, Florida, a terrible playground incident was recently reported involving a 3 year old girl. The incident took place at the Footprints Pre-School and Child Care Center. A teacher found the 3 year old girl unconscious with a tetherball rope wrapped tightly around the little girl's neck. I question why a tetherball set or rope was in place at a pre-school. The typical tetherball playset can be extremely dangerous to small children. This is especially true when the children are not properly supervised and use the equipment in a dangerous manner. It would be interesting to know what particular equipment was in place at the pre-school. In addition, what rules or protocols were in place at the day care center for sports equipment? What were the supervision procedures for playground activities?

A spokesman with the Department of Children and Families stated that DCF is investigating the incident to find out what happened and how a tetherball rope without a ball became wrapped around the child's neck. You can read more about this incident at Day Care Center Child Found With Rope Around Neck.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Child Safety , Day Camps / Summer Camps , Day Care Centers and Child Care , Sport Related Injuries , Summer Camps / Day Camps

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June 21, 2009

Central Florida Summer Camp Guide

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Parents should research summer camps before enrollment. Thereafter, it is important for parents to visit the summer camps frequently to make sure that the supervision is adequate and that the facility and fields are properly maintained. While summer camp is a time for fun, it is also a time for safety, education, and good supervision. The Orlando Sentinel has a Summer Camp Guide on its website that allows parents and caregivers to obtain information from various summer camps in the Central Florida region. You can access this helpful website at 2009 Central Florida Summer Camp Guide.

Unfortunately, children suffered serious personal injuries every summer in camps. Some personal injuries are unavoidable while others results from poor or inadequate supervision and negligence. If a Florida child has been injured in a summer camp, it is often times helpful to consult a Florida Child Injury lawyer / attorney for advice as to the child's rights to compensation.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Day Camps / Summer Camps , Summer Camps / Day Camps

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June 20, 2009

Group at Putnam County Boy Scout Camp Accused of Kidnapping and Forcing

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In Putnam County, Florida, one adult and three teenage boys have been charged with the kidnapping of a 12 year old boy. The incident took place at a boy scout camp where the criminal suspects held the 12 year old against his will. During the false and improper imprisonment of the child, the suspects forced the boy to drink urine. The suspects arrested were: Joseph W. Reid (age 21), Harris G. Reid (age 16), Nicholas A. Larsen (age 16), and Kyler Brower (age 15).

Undoubtedly, the 12 year old will be affected by these traumatic events for quite some time and possibly the rest of his life. You can read more about this story at Group at Putnam County Florida Boy Scout Camp Arrested.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Abuse & Neglect , Crimes Against Children , Day Camps / Summer Camps , Summer Camps / Day Camps , Violent Crimes

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