Plus:Child Identity TheftWater SafetyCarseat InstallationHot Plate Fire Prevention

Q & A to get ahead of flu season

THINKSafety!

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The FLU AND YOU2019

2 THINK SAFETY! THINK SAFETY! 3

Children are 35 times more likely to become victims of identity theft than adults. Child Identity Theft occurs when someone uses a minor’s personal information, such as name, date of birth or social security number to fraudulently gain credit, create a false identity or incur other benefits.

At the moment, there is no official process for organizations, creditors or merchants to match a new line of credit to a child’s often unused social security number allowing thieves to attach the social security number to any name or birthdate.

Dear New York City Families,Welcome to the yearly 2019 edition of the Think Safety newsletter created by Safe Kids New York City. Safe Kids NYC is a coalition of educators, health care professionals and child advocates that are de-voted to helping you keep the children you care about healthy and free from unintentional injuries. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and hospitalization to children, but these injuries are preventable. There are many resources throughout this publication written by experts in the injury prevention field.

This edition of Think Safety includes articles on safety throughout the spring, summer, fall and winter. It also provides important information about how to reduce the incidence of unintentional injuries to your whole family as you play outside, travel, bike, swim, have fun at home and participate in sports. We want to you to enjoy time with your family all year long, but we want parents and children to

always Think Safety!

Cheryl Johnson & Maria Cruz

Directors, Safe Kids New York City

After getting injured handling a stove when he was responding to a gas leak, Lt. Mancuso decided that he wanted to try something different, which is how he ended up teaching fire safety. Since 2004 Lt. Mancuso has been teaching about fire safety all across the city, including at senior centers, with girl scouts and boy scouts, at schools, and tenant associations. He’s taught fire safety with a number of organizations, including the Department of Health and ACS, as well as Safe Kids. He teaches not only fire safety, but also teaches fire prevention. A week before his retirement Lt. Mancuso was distributing batteries in Brooklyn so people can make sure they have functioning smoke detectors.

After years of action, Lt. Mancuso doesn’t plan spending too much time off his feet during his retirement. He is excited about spending more time building model cars, and he and his wife have already made many travel plans. He must make sure not to get too involved in his original passion, geology, especially when he visits National Parks.

“My wife always says, ‘If you show me one more fossil we’ll never get out of here.’”

Current Safe Kids New York City members include:

AAA New York

Bellevue Hospital Center

Brookdale Hospital Medical Center

Elmhurst Hospital Center

Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield/ Healthplus

FedEx

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Kings County Hospital Center

Maimonides Medical Center

Millennium Development Corporation

New York Public Library

New York Presbyterian Hospital – Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital

NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical Center

NYC Administration for Children’s Services

NYC Department for the Aging

NYC Department of Education

NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

NYC Presbyterian Hospital Queens

NYC Department of Transportation

NYC Fire Department

NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation

NYC Poison Control Center

NYC Police Department

NYS Dept. of State Division of Consumer Protection

NYS Safe Kids Coalition

NYU Langone Medical Center Parent Education Program

NYU Langone Medical Center Concussion Center

NYU Lutheran Medical Center

Northwell Health

Northwell Health - Lenox Hill Hospital

Northwell Health - Staten Island University Hospital

Public Health Solutions/Sudden Infant and Child Death Resource Center

Richmond University Medical Center

PLEASE JOIN US IN OUR EFFORTS TO KEEP NEW YORK CITY CHILDREN

SAFER.

Call 212-839-4750 for more information

Retiring from the

FIREFIREFIRELieutenant Anthony Mancuso was a little boy when he decided he wanted to be a firefighter, just like his uncle. “I was always interested in helping people,” said Lt. Mancuso, who retired from the FDNY earlier this spring, after years of collaboration with Safe Kids New York City.

In 1981, after a few twists and turns, including graduating from Brooklyn College in 1977 with a degree in geology and also a stint on Wall Street, Lt. Mancuso was called to join the fire department. He was first assigned to Manhattan’s Engine 29 in the Garment District. He later worked at Ladder 9 in the Village. One of his most interesting experiences as a firefighter happened there, after the crew had just finished putting out a fire in a brownstone. “When the smoke cleared, they had a large collection of framed taxidermied bats up on the wall,” he recalled.

One of his most memorable experiences as a firefighter was also his most tragic. By September 11, 2001 Lt. Mancuso had already been promoted to lieutenant and had been transferred to a firehouse in Park Slope, just blocks away from where he was raised. Lt. Mancuso’s company was one of the first to respond. The company was on its way to the command post when the first tower fell.

He knew many of the brave fire fighters that perished when the towers fell, including sixteen from his old ladder and engine companies perished.

Luckily there are steps you can take to protect your child’s identity:

Keep birth certificates, social security cards and other sensitive personal information securely locked away.

Only provide social security numbers when absolutely necessary. Your child’s social security number may be requested for school enrollment, after-school activities and sports programs but ask how the number will be used and stored and if another identifier can be used instead.

Consider placing a free “protected consumer” security freeze on their credit report if your child is under the age of 16. A freeze prevents the credit reporting agency from releasing the child’s credit report to third parties and also prevents anyone from opening a credit account in the child’s name.

In 2017, over a million children were identified as being victims of identity theft, resulting in total losses over $2.6 billion and over $540 million in out-of-pocket expenses for families.

CHILD IDENTITY THEFT HILD IDENTITY THEFT

• Programs and fairs at schools, afterschool centers, community centers, camps, libraries and museums where children learn how to prevent injuries at home, at play and on the road

• Car safety seat inspection stations teach parents to correctly install car seats

• Workshops for pregnant and new parents help young families learn how to be safe from the start

• Professional training conferences for educators and others interested in learning more about injury prevention

Safe Kids - New York City

Our Activities

Safe Kids New York CityNYC DOT Safety Education and Outreach59 Maiden Lane, 34th Floor, New York, NY 10038Tel: (212) 839-4750, Fax: (212) 839-4783

Cheryl Johnson and Maria Cruz, Directors

Kim Wiley-Schwartz, Chair

Paula Gannon, Project Manager, Think Safety

Robin Kilmer, Editor, Think Safey

Megan Rakos, Designer, Think Safety

For additional information on Child Identity Theft prevention and other topics, visit the New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) website at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection or contact the Division’s hotline at (800) 697-1220.

led by

By Esther Hughest of the New York State Division of Consumer Protection Community Relations Specialist & Outreach Educator

Funded in part by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

THINK SAFETY! 5

Supervise your child at all times.

Be aware that waves are under constant change by weather and wind, which can influence water depth and rip currents.

Only take your child to beaches with lifeguards. Do not enter the water after lifeguards go off duty.

Teach your child what to do if they find themselves in trouble: remain calm, float and raise an arm to signal for help from a lifeguard.

With summer only a few short months away, the most popular summer activity may already be on kids’ minds: swim-ming. And while swimming is a great way to play, exercise or just cool off, it is important to keep water safety in the forefront. In fact, drowning is the second leading preventable cause of death for children younger than 10.

AT THE BEACH

AROUND

BACKYARD POOLS

No matter what the season, New Yorkers love celebrations and parades of all kinds. Here are some titles to help you slow down and get ready for the festivities.

The Race for the Chinese Zodiac by Gabrielle Wang, illustrated by Sally Rippin (2013)

The gorgeously illustrated book is a retelling of the mythological race that led to the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Hello Spring! by Shelley Rotner (2017)

Changes in plant and animal life mark the arrival of spring in this lyrical introduction to the season.

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson; illustrated by E.B. Lewis (2014)

A beautifully illustrated tribute to the first observance of African American Emancipation Day by the award-winning team of Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis.

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman; illustrated by Kristyna Litten (2014)

Bright colors and vivid illustrations help depict the fun and jubilant feelings associated with a pride parade for the LGBTQ community as well as their friends and family.

Pie is for Sharing by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard; illustrated by Jason Chin (2018)

Celebrating the Fourth of July with a picnic includes games, fireworks and, of course, lots of delicious food.

Saffron Ice Cream by Rashin Kheiriyeh (2018)

A young immigrant girl is excited to visit Coney Island for the first time and is amazed at the differences between beach customs in her native Iran and her new home.

Full of Fall by April Pulley Sayre (2017)

Beautiful photographs and simple text explain the science behind fall leaves.

First Snow by Peter McCarty (2015)

Pedro is having a hard time adjusting to the cold weather, but a snowball fight, a snow angel, and a sled ride make things better.

RESOURCES

Install a fence. Pool fencing is required by law for any swimming pool or spa and it must be at least four feet (48 inch-es) high. Make sure the safety latch is in good working order.

Don’t leave any items or equipment close to the pool fence that would allow your child to climb up and over the fence.

Don’t leave floating toys in the pool or your child may try to reach for them.

Empty wading pools immediately after use.

The Learn to Swim program offer free swimming lessons for young New Yorkers at pools around the city. Registration begins on Friday, June 14. Contact NYC Parks or 311 for more information.

The FDNY Free CPR Program offers New Yorkers a 30-minute class on compressions-only CPR. The free classes are taught throughout the year by certified FDNY EMS personnel at various locations.

The American Red Cross also offers CPR and Swimming + Water Safety classes. 800-RED CROSS

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Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk Red Hook Recreation Area NYC parks department

READERFun in the Sun,

Safe in the WaterBe A Year Round

By Julia Glauboch Staten Island University Hospital Trauma Prevention Coordinator

By Louise Lareau, New York City Public Library

4 THINK SAFETY! THINK SAFETY! 5

6 THINK SAFETY! THINK SAFETY! 7

THEFLUAND

Before the measles vaccine came out in 1963, there were 400 to 500 million cases a year, killing 400 to 500 people annually, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2000 the measles were declared eliminated from the United States. There have been outbreaks since then, however. The most recent started in late 2018.

Due to its highly contagious nature, any given population needs a 93 to 95 percent vaccination rate to prevent an outbreak of measles. According to the CDC almost everyone who has not been vaccinated against measles will get measles if they are exposed to the virus. It is so contagious that simply entering a room where someone was sick with

measles, even up to two hours after they left, will lead to infection. Many people are contagious even before they know they are sick.

Even a small drop in the number of people who receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) will lead to an outbreak, as has happened in five states throughout the country, including New York State. As of early March there are 121 reported cases of measles in nine zip codes in Brooklyn alone.

Protect your family from the measles. Make sure you and your child have received your MMR vaccines. Please call 311 for more information.

YOULike Halloween, Thanksgiving, apple cider and pumpkin pie, the flu is also seasonal. Flu is short for influenza, a viral respiratory infection that can cause serious complications or death. It spreads easily during fall and winter months and can be contagious 24 hours before symptoms even appear.

Here are some ?'s parents often have ahead of the flu season: How can I prevent the flu?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination as the single best way to prevent the flu, and the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children 6 months and older be vaccinated. There is more than one type of flu shot available. Speak with your family doctor or pediatrician to choose what’s best for you and your family.

The flu shot only protects against specific strands of the flu. Even if you have been vaccinated, you still have to keep your immune system strong with regular exercise (at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week). Drinking plenty of water, eating a nutrition-rich diet, and managing your stress levels also helps.

A person sick with the flu is contagious for about one week. Limit close personal contact and clean your hands frequently. If you already have the flu and don’t want to spread it to others, cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze and stay home from work and school when possible..

What are the risks and benefits of the flu vaccine?

A: Like any medication, there are possible risks. Most are mild, but can range from a minor irritation at the injection site to a severe allergic reaction. Though local clinics and pharmacies offer the vaccine, the CDC advises that anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or any of its ingredients be vaccinated by a doctor. Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a condition in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nerves, is another possible, albeit rare, side effect possibly triggered by the flu vaccine. Speak with your family doctor or pediatrician before getting vaccinated.

The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. In people between 18 and 64 years of age who have received the flu shot there is a 40-60 percent reduction in reported flu cases. If you do get sick, your symptoms will likely be milder than if you were not vaccinated.

By Dekeya Slaughter, Injury Prevention Coordinator Bellevue Hospital Center

Who’s most vulnerable for getting the flu?

A: Children born prematurely and people with chronic medical conditions are vulnerable to deadly complications from the flu. Pregnant women and adults 65 and older are also vulnerable.

Are there medications that treat the flu?

A: Yes. Tamiflu, Zanamivir, Peramivir and Baloxavir are antiviral medications are available by prescription only. Please consult with your doctor about which is best for you or your children.

How will I pay for my flu vaccine?

A: Most people whose health insurance complies with the Affordable Care Act will not have to pay. Check with your insurance carrier. Otherwise, out-of-pocket costs vary by location and type of vaccine.

An Old Foe Strikes BackAn

8 THINK SAFETY!

4 - 7 Years Old:

Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seats manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

8 - 12 Years

Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.

Ride Safe with Your Child in the Right Place

Age (years)1Birth 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13+

Rear Facing Seat

Rear Facing Car Seat

Forward Facing Car Seat

Booster Seat Seat Belt

Foward Facing Seat

Booster Seat

Seat Belt

car seats are not installed properly. A properly installed car seat can be the difference between life and death. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting and installing a car seat for your loved one. 9/10

Rear Facing Seat

Birth - 2 years Old:

Your baby under age two should always ride in a rear-facing seat – a rear-facing only or convertible car seat.

birth – 3 Years Old:

Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the safest way for him or her to ride. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness.

THIS WINTERSTAY COZY BUT STAY SAFEBy Gia Ramsey, Injury Prevention/Educator Outreach Coordinator, Maimonides Medical Center

LET’S PLAY IN THE SNOW!Children under 8 years of age should not play outside alone.

Check on children often to ensure they are warm, dry, and hydrated.

Make sure kids use the proper gear, like helmets, when they are snowboarding or skiing.

Children should avoid sledding or playing near a street, parking lot, pond, trees, fences, or other hazards.

When sledding, make sure there is a clear path and that children sit up, facing forward down the hill.

Make sure that children are using soft snow to make snowballs, and throwing them at children their own size. Facial injuries can occur when children are hit by snowballs that are heavy or icy.

Assist children with making large snowmen. Lifting top sections could cause injuries if the section is too heavy.

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDEDress in loose fitting layers of breathable clothing to stay warm and prevent sweating.

To prevent hypothermia and frostbite wear water-resistant coats and boots, and be sure to remove wet clothing as soon as possible.

Be sure to cover the nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin, and fingers.

WATCH OUT, IT MIGHT BE SLIPPERY!

Footwear should have good tread to provide better traction on snow and ice

Try to stay on cleared paths that have been treated with salt or sand and keep an eye out for black ice

Take time while walking, taking smaller steps, and shuffling on slippery surfaces

Keep arms free to help keep and restore balance and have your cell phone handy in case of a fall

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 years one hour or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily—and not just when the weather is nice. Check out some tips for safe exercise in the colder months.

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By Marjorie Marciano, NYC Department of Transportation Office of Safety Education and Outreach

Is Your Car Seat Installed Correctly?Most car seats are installed incorrectly. Check to see if yours is in right. From March to November the NYC Department of Transportation operates car seat inspection stations in all five boroughs. Call 212-839-4750 for more information about making an appointment for a free car seat check by nationally certified child passenger safety technicians.

Reminder The temperature inside a car can increase 20 degrees in just ten minutes and about 38 children in the United States die from heat stroke each year after being trapped in a car in hot weather. That said, you should not leave your child unattended in a car in any weather.

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Is your stove not working? Did the landlord turn off the heat? Just trying to keep food warm? Many new Yorkers treat the small, affordable hot plate as a solution to their most basic needs. However, while the hot plate solves some problems, it can create an even bigger one, often with deadly results. Many New Yorkers remember the January 2015 house fire that swept through the Brooklyn home of an Orthodox Jewish family, killing seven children and severely injuring their mother and another child. The NYPD suspected that the fire, which started in the wee hours of a Saturday morning, was sparked by a hot plate that was used to keep food warm while the family observed the Sabbath.

By Lauren Schwartz and Maria Mercurio-Zappala, NYC Poison Control Center

Hot plates have been suspected in other fires, and the NYPD estimates of 50% apartment fires begin in the kitchen. 25% of house fires begin in the kitchen. While it would be good to limit hot plate use as much as possible, the FDNY does offer guidelines for New Yorkers who feel the need to use them.

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Hot plates were turned off and properly used after this FDNY cook-off

Nearly half of apartment fires in New York City begin in the kitchen

HOT PLATE TIPSNo towels should be touching the hotplate (sometimes people cover food with towels to keep it warm).

The wire and plug should be inspected for cracks and other signs of wear and tear (nothing lasts forever).

Check the junction box where the wire enters the unit. It should not be discolored or open.

No extension cords should be used.

Do not let power cord rest on top of the plates.

When using timers, they should be rated for use with the appliance they are controlling.

If the legs or any other portion of the appliance is broken or cracked, it should be professionally repaired or discarded.

A Treat for All to Eat

INSTRUCTIONSPreheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat an 8x8 glass or stoneware dish with non-stick baking spray or butter.

In a large bowl, combine the oat flour, tapioca starch and salt and whisk well.

In a separate medium-size bowl, combine the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth, then stir in the chocolate chips.

Pour liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour the batter evenly into the pan. Place extra chocolate chips on top.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until firm and golden. A fork should come out clean. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

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INGREDIENTS1 ¾ cup certified gluten-free oat flour.

¼ cup tapioca starch/flour

½ teaspoon fine sea salt (to taste)

½ cup pure maple syrup

¼ cup + 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

½ cup unsweetened applesauce

½ cup sunbutter, which derives from sunflower seeds

1 ½ tablespoons of vanilla extract

½ heaping cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks, plus extra to put on top

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Want to celebrate your child’s birthday at school? Be careful before you concoct your dessert. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four to six percent of children in the United States have a food allergy. Many desserts include eggs, gluten and dairy, which are some of the most common allergens, leaving caretakers to wonder what they can bring to class.

Here are common poisionous plants that can be found in New York City and New York State: Capsicum Annuum (Chili Pepper), holly, mistletoe, philodendron/dieffenbachia, deadly nightshade and pokeweed. Please visit www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/poison-plants.page for more information. The NYC Poison Control Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (212-POISONS or 212-764-7667) for questions regarding any poison inside or outside the home.

Last year, NYC Poison Control Center received approximately 1,500 calls involving exposures to plants. Children and pets often find plants appealing and may eat the leaves, stems, and flowers etc. Even plants that are non-toxic may cause a reaction in some people. Some common poisonous pants are also often found inside and outside homes, offices and buildings. Never eat mushrooms, berries, fruit or leaves from plants that are grown outdoors and may not be safe. Always check with the Poison Control Center or local florist when you buy or give plants. Keep plants up high and out-of-reach and label them by name. Many common plants cause minor irritation, others can be fatal.

This is a slightly modified version of recipe created by Brandi Domer, found on her blog The Vegan 8. It is gluten, egg, nut and dairy free—and very yummy!

Blondies –

Deadly Nightshade Pokeweed

Mistletoe with berries Holly

By Lieutenant Mancuso, FDNY

Step Up to the plate with Hot Plate Safety

BIKE PROGRAMSWe want everyone using the road to be safe, including cyclists. There is an 85 percent chance that your helmet will protect your head during a crash. SEO operates helmet fittings and give-aways throughout the five boroughs. We also help distribute bike lights, hold delivery cyclist forums, and have a Bike to School program to encourage students to use their bikes as a mode of transportation.

CAR SEAT CHECKS

SEO does free car seat checks from March through November, doing 52 car seat checks per year. Please read our article on page 8 for more information.

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY CERTIFICATION

SEO, along with the Safe Kids organization offers classes to for people interested in becoming certified car seat technicians. On average, SEO and Safe Kids New York City train 15 new car seat technicians annually.

SCHOOL SAFETY PRESENTATIONS Safety educators at SEO visit an average of 650 schools a year, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, to do fun interactive traffic safety workshops.

BRONX SAFETY CITY

SEO offers interactive traffic safety workshops at Bronx Safety City. Safety City has an indoor learning center, as well as an outdoor streetscape for students to learn pedestrian safety and bike safety. Last year students from 75 schools visited Bronx Safety City.

PARENT WORKSHOPSAt parent workshops held throughout New York City SEO safety educators inform parents about best practices to follow with regards to bike, passenger and pedestrian safety so that parents can help keep their children safe. Last year educators held 100 parent workshops in all five boroughs.

COLLABORATION WITH SAFE KIDS NEW YORK CITYCar crashes has been a leading cause of childhood death for many years. In 2018 61 percent of childhood fatalities were caused by injuries. Most of those injuries were caused by crashes, followed by firearms. SEO has long been a member of Safe Kids New York City due to the outsized and impact that traffic crashes have on child mortality. SEO hosts Safe Kids New York City meetings, and is involved in the group’s other health and safety related efforts, including Halloween Safety Day, September School Safety, Safe Kids Day, Walk to School Day, and much more.

CONTACT

If you are interested in collaborating with SEO, or would like to learn more about our outreach and education efforts, please call (212) 839-4750.

SAFETY STARTS WITH

NYC DOT Safety Education and Outreach

12 THINK SAFETY!