Keeping Children Safe with the Rourke Record

This is the second in a series of three articles reviewing recent recommendations on the Rourke record, an evidence-based guide to primary prevention for young children used by primary care practitioners in Canada. Updates can provide a snapshot of recent recommendations. In the last article we looked at updated nutrition guidelines. This time we will look at the guidelines around injury prevention and environmental health.

1. Exposures to pesticides is detrimental to neurodevelopmental health.
2. Well water is prone to contamination with chemicals and pathogens that particularly harm children. Well water should be tested regularly.
3. Things that can contribute to risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) are bed sharing or co-sleeping, sleeping on a sofa or cushioned chair, or in a car seat or swing. Overheating, second-hand smoke, alcohol use by mothers, and use of sedating drugs by parents can contribute to SIDS.
4. To lessen the risk of choking, avoid hard, small, smooth and gummy foods under the age of four. Latex balloons can also lead to choking. Always check the age label on toys to make sure they are safe for your child. Learning choking first aid is also very important for caregivers.
5. There has been an increase in injury from ingestion of button batteries and edible cannabis products. These should be kept out of reach of children

Keep the Canada wide number for poison control number on hand. They are excellent at advising course of action following an ingestion. The number is 844-POISON-X (844-764-7669).

 

Dr. Bhooma Bhayana is a family physician in London and the mother of two young men and proud grandmother of three! She continues to find wonder and enjoyment in family practice despite more than 30 years on the job!