Safety Newsletter June 2010

• Safety Rules for the Beach and Pool page 1

• How Safe Is Your Playground? page 2

• Keeping Teen Drivers Safe on the Road page 3

• Don’t Get Tripped Up: 5 Ways to Prevent Falls page 3

In this issue:

Safety Newsletter

Safety Rules for the Beach and PoolSome rules are not made to be broken, especially when they can prevent tragedy. Make sure your family knows the rules for the pool or beach before anyone sets foot in the water.Whether you choose the ocean, a lake or the local pool, you’ll probably need to take a dip this summer to get relief from the heat. No matter how inviting the waters, though, tragedy can happen. Now is a good time to review the rules.

From toddlers who wander into family pools to swimmers caught up in the ocean’s currents, neglecting to take the proper precautions can lead to deadly results.

Drowning

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death, averaging approximately 8,000 deaths per year in the U.S. Forty percent of these deaths occur in children younger than 5 years of age, with the majority being age 2. Half of all drownings occur between May and June, then in August.

Backyard pools are especially hazardous to young children. Above-ground pools are less dangerous because the height of the pool itself is a barrier, as well as the fence at the top of the steps that comes with many of these pools.

Children who can’t swim should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I personal floatation device (PFD) when playing in or near water. When the child has more control in the water, he or she can move into a type II PFD.

“Water wings” or “floaties” are not a replacement for a PFD and will not keep a child who falls into the water afloat. Don’t let the idea of floaties give you or your child a false sense of security. A Coast Guard-approved PFD is the only safe option for a child who can’t swim.

Rules for home pools:

Learn to swim. y

Teach children to swim at the earliest yage possible.

Never leave a young child unattended near the ypool. Don’t take your eyes off the child, not even for a few seconds.

When near the pool, have children who can’t yswim wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs.

Don’t allow running near the pool. y

Don’t allow anyone to swim alone. y

Keep a phone by the pool for yemergencies.

Know how to do CPR. y

Install a fence around your pool at yleast four-feet high (local laws and ordinances may vary) with a self-closing and self-locking gate, with latches out of reach of a child.

Keep lifesaving equipment near ythe pool.

Don’t allow inflatable toys or floats yto replace parental supervision. Such devices often fail.

Don’t drink alcohol while swimming yor supervising children.

Rules for lakes, rivers and the ocean:

Swim within visibility of a lifeguard. y

Supervise children y at all times.

Have children who can’t swim wear Coast yGuard-approved PFDs.

Don’t allow anyone to swim alone. y

Never dive without knowing the depth of the ywater and never dive into shallow water.

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Safety Newsletter June 2010

Don’t swim so far that you don’t have the energy to swim back yto shore.

Don’t drink alcohol while swimming or supervising children. y

Don’t swim against the ocean’s current. If caught in a current, yswim across — not against — it. You will gradually swim out of it.

Safety devices

Finally, if you have your own backyard pool, invest in a safety device to protect young children. Safety devices include poolside alarms and alarms for doors, gates and children’s wrists.

No device, though, can substitute for parental supervision. The best way to protect your children is to always know where they are and to never assume that someone else is watching them.

By Diane Griffith, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

How Safe Is Your Playground?Learn important safety tips for playgrounds to help prevent playground injuries.We tend to think of playgrounds as the perfect opportunity for our children to have fun while developing physical and social skills. But, we don’t think about them being dangerous. Yet, just how safe is your backyard or neighborhood playground?

Each year about 200,000 children get emergency treatment for playground injuries. Here are some tips on making sure your children’s playground continues to be a fun place.

Supervise your children. Accidents tend to happen when adults are not there to watch over children. Regardless of age, all children require some form of adult supervision. Preschool-aged children need close watching, older children less so. Adults need to be on the lookout for potential hazards, bullying or other problem behaviors and be available in case of injury.

Consider whether playground equipment suits your child’s age. Playground equipment is designed for specific age groups because children develop more advanced skills as they age. Do not allow younger children to try equipment that has not been designed for them. Likewise, do not allow older children to play hazardously on equipment that has not been designed for an older pack.

Inspect the playground area. Before allowing your children to use playground equipment, closely look over the area. Is all equipment properly anchored into the ground? Do you see any exposed sharp edges or corners? Are nuts and bolts covered and are all S-hooks closed? Are climbing ropes anchored at both ends? Is there anything on the ground, such as broken glass, rocks, or tree roots that could injure a child?

Make sure there is a soft material under the play equipment. Most playground injuries result from a fall onto the playground surface. These injures, including head trauma and broken bones, can be quite serious and even deadly. Hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete are dangerous. Likewise, grass and turf are poor shock absorbers and also unsafe. Some examples of recommended surfaces include: wood chips, double-shredded bark mulch, fine sand, shredded tires, engineered wood fibers and fine gravel. Usually a depth of between 6 and 12 inches of surfacing material is recommended.

Remove drawstrings from hoods, necks and children’s outerwear. Never allow children to wear anything around their neck, including purses, necklaces or clothing while on the playground. These items can easily get caught on equipment and hardware. resulting in choking and injury.

Review playground rules with your children before they begin to play.

Instruct children never to jump off a moving swing. y

Tell children not to walk in front or behind a swing that is yin motion.

Require that children go up and down the slide appropriately, yand not climb up and over the sides.

Reinforce the importance of taking turns. y

Encourage children to seek out an adult when problems arise. y

By Nancy Reid, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

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Safety Newsletter

Safety Newsletter June 2010

Keeping Teen Drivers Safe on the RoadHelp your teenager stay safe on the road.Ask any parent. One of the scariest things about raising a child may be letting him or her drive. With proms, graduations and beach trips, you may feel more nervous than ever about your child’s safety on the road — and with good reason.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), teen driving may be the greatest risk someone will ever face. The chance of a car

crash is at a lifetime high in the first two years of driving.

Why is this? Teen drivers do not have experience. They don’t notice and respond to possible driving problems. They don’t control the car

well, especially at high speeds. Teens also tend to take chances. They tend

to give in to peer pressure. They may overestimate their abilities.

They may have mood swings. They are easily distracted. All these factors can increase their risk of accidents.

There is good news, though. Based on the principles of

Graduated Driver Licensing, adopted by most states, the NSC

has put together some guidelines. Their Family Guide to Teen Driver Safety may help reduce driving risks for teenagers.

The NCS says the best way to improve driving safety is to work together. They suggest writing a Parent/Teen Agreement. It should set clear expectations for everyone. You and your teen should list:

Privileges, such as getting the family car for a Friday night yfootball game or a Saturday trip to the mall

Restrictions, such as obeying a curfew, or driving with only yone passenger

What things a teen must do to show parents he or she is ready yfor more driving independence

Key messages you may want to include are to:

Know and follow your state’s requirements for teen driving. y

Select a safe vehicle, based on factors like size and safety yfeatures (visit www.nsc.org for tips).

Note that the two conditions that make driving more dangerous yfor teenagers are: – Driving with passengers – Driving at night

Engage in safe behaviors, such as: y– Wearing a seatbelt – Not drinking and driving – Not talking or texting on a cell phone while driving – Not eating or drinking while driving – Not speeding – Not driving when tired or while taking medication

Get a lot of driving practice before getting a license y

You can make an impact on your teen’s driving safety. Sit down with your teenager and write up a contract you all can live with — especially behind the wheel.

By Laurie Sammeth, Contributing Writer, myOptumHealth

Don’t Get Tripped Up: 5 Ways to Prevent FallsIs your house or apartment fall-proof? Here are some home safety tips for older adults.For many elderly people, the home can be a hazardous place. Homes with loose throw rugs, runners and mats, curled carpet edges, poor lighting, electrical cords, slippery uncarpeted floors and stairs can turn into booby traps.

Each year, falls are responsible for 11,000 deaths in the United States among people 65 and older. One in three people in the 65+ age group will take a tumble each year; 20 to 30 percent of them will suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce their mobility and independence, and increase their risk of premature death, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Falls are a contributing factor in 40 percent of admissions to nursing homes.

Older people are more likely to have health problems, to be taking medications that can impair their balance, strength, or vision, and to have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition that produces brittleness and softness of the bones and makes older people susceptible to breaks. Hip fractures, a major complication of falls in the elderly, account for 300,000 hospitalizations annually and can be fatal.

A Yale School of Medicine study of people ages 72 and older living in and around New Haven, Conn., found that the most dangerous part of the house was the floor in living rooms, bedrooms and hallways. In nearly 80 percent of homes, the floor was filled with “little dangers” that are major hazards, such as throw rugs, carpet edges, small objects, electrical cords and slippery floors.

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Safety Newsletter

Safety Newsletter June 2010

Stairways were the second most dangerous zone, according to the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health. Night lights and light switches at the top and bottom of stairways were missing, as were handrails. Uneven steps spelled further trouble.

The bathroom was determined to be the most dangerous room. That’s because tubs and showers usually lack nonskid mats or abrasive strips and grab bars. In addition to poor lighting, toilets were typically too wobbly or too low for an older person to rise from safely.

Kitchens were next on the list, with poor lighting, unstable step stools and storage areas that required an older person to reach high or bend low.

Preventing falls

Preventing falls is key to avoiding injury from osteoporosis. Weak bones are slow to heal; even a minor fracture can disable an elderly person and lead to complications such as pneumonia or blood clots. To prevent falls, the American Federation for Aging Research offers the following advice for older people:

1. Do a safety check around your home. Get rid of rugs or cords that might trip you. Have someone install sturdy handrails on all stairways and grab bars in bathrooms. Cover stairs with lightly woven carpet or nonslip treads. Do not wax floors. Always clean up spills as soon as they happen. Avoid climbing and reaching up to high shelves. Use a step stool with handrails. Better yet, get someone to help you change light bulbs in the ceiling. If you are elderly, NEVER get on a ladder.

2. Take an exercise class that will increase your strength and improve your balance. Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta found the Chinese martial art of tai chi improved balance in older people after just a few weeks and cut the risk of falling nearly in half. Before taking any exercise class, check with your doctor.

3. Check your medications. Any time you get a new prescription for any condition, ask your pharmacist or health care provider about side effects such as dizziness or blurred vision that may upset your balance. Drugs that can cause sleepiness, such as anti-anxiety medicines or narcotic pain medicines, can also be a problem. Drug interactions can cause loss of balance, so make sure you give your health care provider a list of all medicines you are on and ask if any new medicines could interact with what you are already taking.

4. Dress for safety. Wear low-heeled shoes with rubber soles for good traction. Never wear slippers, shoes with leather soles or high heels. Ask your doctor about protective gear, such as gel-filled clothing and accessories that protect your limbs and hips in case you do fall.

5. If you drink, do so moderately. Not only does alcohol interfere with healthy bone formation, but drinking can make you unsteady and put you in danger of falling and fracturing your bones.

M47576-C 5/10 © 2010 United HealthCare Services, Inc.

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Safety Newsletter

UV Safety Newsletter

• How to Protect Your Body from Sun Damage page 1

• Sunglasses: A Must for Adults and Children page 2

• Making Sense of Sunscreen page 3

In this issue:

UV Safety Newsletter

Don’t Get Burned! How to Protect Your Body From Sun DamageSunburn doesn’t just cause pain and redness. It can also have immediate dangers and long-term effects. Learn the risks and find out how to protect yourself.

Between the beach, the pool and the weekend cookouts, you may be having too much fun to worry about sunburn – until that telltale stinging and redness set in. Sunburn isn’t just painful – it’s also bad for your health.

The dangers of sunburnThe sun’s rays contain two types of ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet A (UV-A) causes tanning, aging skin and wrinkles. Ultraviolet B (UV-B) causes sunburn. Both can cause skin cancer. You can burn on sunny days, cloudy days and cold days. The white sand on the beach and the white snow of winter both reflect the sun’s rays. You can burn whether you’re skiing on water or snow.

Signs of sunburn are redness, pain, swelling and blistering. Get medical attention right away if you have a severe burn that covers your body, or if you have chills, vomiting, an upset stomach or confusion.

Long-term effectsEvery time you tan or burn, DNA damage builds up in the deeper levels of your skin. Having five or more burns over a lifetime – even in childhood – doubles your chances of getting skin cancer.

Other side effects of tanning and burning include premature wrinkles and age (pigment) spots. Over time the sun can age your skin, making it tough and leathery.

Remember that your eyes can burn, too. Too much sun can burn your corneas and lead to various eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. It can even cause blindness.

The truth about sunscreenWearing sunscreen doesn’t always keep you from burning. No sunscreen can completely protect you from UV (ultraviolet) rays.

A sunscreen labeled “waterproof” or “water resistant” will not protect you all day. When you swim or sweat, reapply your sunscreen. Waterproof sunscreens last about 80 minutes in the water. Those labeled “water resistant” last about 40 minutes.

The UV indexYour local news may broadcast daily heat index reports. The higher the index, the less time it will take to burn. Here is your risk for overexposure to the damaging UV rays. The number indicates the daily UV index, followed by the degree of risk. The higher the index on a given day, the greater the need to protect yourself.• 0-2:low• 3-4:moderate• 5-6:high• 7-10:veryhigh• 11+:extreme

Preventing sunburnFollowthesepreventiontips:• Use only water-resistant or waterproof

sunscreen. It should protect against both UVA and UVB rays and have an SPF of at least15.Reapplyeverytwohoursandafterswimming or sweating.

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• Wear protective clothing when possible. Always include a hat and sunglasses.

• Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when UV rays are strongest. If your shadow is shorter than you are, get out of the sun.

• Keep children in the shade and in protective clothing. If shade or protective clothing are not available, apply a minimal amountofsunscreenwithatleastanSPFof15tosmallareas like the cheeks and backs of the hands. If a child under age1getssunburn,applycoolcompressesandcallyourpediatrician right away. Also call if an older child has a sunburn with fever, blistering, severe pain or lethargy.

• Be aware that water, snow and sand all reflect UV rays and increase your chances for sunburn.

TreatmentCool wet compresses, lotions and baths may help relieve sunburn pain. For serious burns, call your doctor. Medication may prevent infection and help with the swelling and pain.

Sunglasses: A Must for Children and AdultsOver-exposure to UV rays is bad for eyes of any age, but can be especially harmful for the very young. Learn ways to protect the eye health of all of your loved ones.

Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory or something that adults need to wear on sunny days. Wearing sunglasses, from birth through old age, can help save your eyesight.

Thelensinachild’seyeisclearfrombirththroughaboutage10.It can’t filter out as much sunlight as an adult lens. That means sunexposurecancausemoredamagebeforeage10thanafter,when the lens begins to get cloudy.

Early exposure, long-term damageSome studies suggest that 80 percent of sun damage occurs byage18.Long-termexposuretothesun’sUVraysisabigfactor in vision loss. Studies indicate that too much sunlight mayleadto:• Cataractsandage-relatedmaculardegeneration,whichrob

adults of eyesight • Skincanceraroundtheeyelids• Pterygia(benigngrowthsontheeye’ssurfacethatcan

block vision)

TherearethreetypesofUVradiation:UV-A,UV-BandUV-C.• UV-Acandamagethemacula,thepartoftheretinathat

controls central vision. • UV-Baffectsthefrontpartoftheeye–thecorneaandlens–

and can cause even more damage than UV-A. • UV-Cisabsorbedbytheozonelayerandisnotdangerous.

Over-exposure to UV-B rays for short periods can lead to corneal sunburn. This can cause pain, a feeling of grit in the eyes and even short-term vision loss. You can get this kind of exposure at the beach or on a ski slope without proper eye protection. For children, this can cause long-term vision problems.

Bright sun and glare also cause immediate problems. Bright sunlight interferes with your vision and ability to see clearly. It causes you to squint and makes your eyes water.

Since proper eye protection helps prevent future vision loss, makesure:• Yourkidswearsunglasses,andtheyunderstandwhy.• Theykeepwearingsunglassesintoadulthood.• Youwearsunglasses,too.Ifyousetagoodexample,your

children will be more likely to get into the habit of wearing sunglasses as well.

When to wear sunglassesSunglasses are not just for sunny summer days, when UV rays are at least three times higher than in winter. Reflections from snow, water, sand or pavement can intensify UV rays to extremely high levels.

Don’t be fooled by a cloudy day. The sun’s rays pass right throughthehazeandthinclouds.Whenoutside,wearsunglasses. Be sure to wear them in the early afternoon when UV radiation is strongest.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says you should wear sunglasses when you take part in winter sports. You should also wear them at high altitudes, where UV light is more intense. Keep your sunglasses on when you take medications that can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.

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UV Safety Newsletter

UV Safety Newsletter

Are sunglasses enough?• Have your child wear a hat along with sunglasses – and

do the same yourself. When you wear a hat and sunglasses outside, your child will more likely follow your lead.

• Give your child a wide-brimmed hat to wear. It will block about half of UV rays and provide extra protection. Even a baseball cap can limit UV rays that hit the eyes from above or around glasses.

• Teach your children to never look directly into or stare at the sun. Looking at the sun for too long, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent blindness.

• Try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun’s rays are strongest.

• Keep children younger than six months old out of direct sunlight. Baby strollers with a canopy or umbrella can help shield them from direct sunlight.

The AAO suggests that children should have a complete eye exam before the age of five

Making Sense of SunscreenLearn more about UV rays and how to choose a good sunscreen and use it properly Sunscreens promise protection from the sun’s UV rays, which can cause sunburn and skin cancer. But how effective are they?

Studies prove that sunscreen lowers the incidence of skin cancer. But sunscreen doesn’t give complete protection, and using it doesn’t mean you can sit in the sun for long periods without damage.

To protect yourself, it helps to know more about UV rays and sunscreens.

Sun factsSunlight contains two types of ultraviolet rays that can reach theearthandcauseskindamage:ultravioletA(UVA)andultraviolet B (UVB).• UVA rays account for the bulk of our sun exposure, so they

cause most aging of the skin. They are also linked to some skin cancers.

• UVB rays directly damage the DNA of the skin cells. They cause most sunburns and most skin cancers.

There are no “safe” UV rays. Both types can cause skin cancer, including melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Selecting the right sunscreenThe goal of a sunscreen is to protect the skin from UV rays. When sorting through your choices at the drugstore, focus on the SPF (sun protection factor) number on the labels. Experts recommendusingsunscreenwithanSPFof15orhigher.

SPF is an indicator of how well the sunscreen protects against UVBrays.Forexample,withanSPF15sunscreen,yougetaboutoneminuteofUVBraysforeach15minutesyouspendinthesun.AnhourinthesunwearingSPF15sunscreengivesyou about the same UVB exposure as four minutes without sunscreen.

A good sunscreen should protect against both types of UV rays. Make sure the label says “broad-spectrum” or that it provides both UVA and UVB protection. To provide broad-spectrum protection,mostsunscreenswillincludesomeofthefollowing:• Chemical ingredients: These absorb both UVA and UVB radiation.Thesemayincludeavobenzoneorbenzophenones.Some,especiallybenzophenones,cancauseskinreactions.

• Physical ingredients: These can physically block and reflect away both types of UV radiation. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are two of the more common physical compounds found in sunscreens. These are less likely to cause allergic skin reactions than some chemical ingredients.

It’s important to remember that no sunscreen provides complete protection. Even if you don’t burn, too much time in the sun can still damage and age the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer.

ManymoisturizersandothercosmeticproductshaveanSPF.These products may be fine if you only spend a few minutes in the sun each day. But if you work or play outdoors, you need a stronger, water-resistant sunscreen.

How to use sunscreenTofendoffthesun’sdamagingrays:• Use a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15. Apply it at least30minutesbeforesunexposuretogiveittimetobind to your skin.

• Apply sunscreen generously. You should use about one ounce (a palmful) each time you apply it. Coat all skin not covered by clothing. Don’t miss easy-to-forget areas, such as tops of the feet and the ears.

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors and after swimming, sweating heavily and toweling off.

• Use sunscreen every day. UV rays reach the earth even on cloudy days, and UVA rays can pass through glass.

• Don’t rely on sunscreen alone to protect your skin. Cover up when outside. Wear a brimmed hat, UV-protection sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt, pants or skirt.

Children need extra attention because they often spend a lot of time in the sun and their delicate skin can burn easily.• Don’t use sunscreen on children younger than 6

months. Babies should be kept out of the sun and covered or shaded when they’re outside.

• Protect children older than 6 months by using sunscreen, dressing them in protective clothes and urging them to play in the shade

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UV Safety Newsletter

© 2010 United HealthCare Services, Inc. UHCEW483751-000