1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8645 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee
Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

Vanda Easley
State Farm Insurance
Companies

Cindy Hermes
State Capitol Area
Firefighters Association

Ami Hyten
Kansas Trial Lawyers
Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshall's Office

Rosanne Rutkowski
Kansas State Nurses
Association

Cindy Yelkin
Kansas Hospital
Association

Keep Children Safe at Grandparents House

The holiday season is a popular time to families to visit grandparents. In addition, as costs for child care increasingly get more expensive and issues of security continue to loom large, parents may look to extended family members to assist with child care responsibilities.

"A grandparent's lifestyle may result in added dangers for young children. For instance, they have more vitamins and medicines around the house or may have never used a booster seat before," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator for Kansas SAFE KIDS. " Whether grandchildren come for the occasional visit, or are members of the household, grandparents need to know the most up-to-date safety information."

Kansas SAFE KIDS offers the following safety tips designed specifically for grandparents:

• Supervise your grandchildren at all times when they are in your care. Never leave them alone - even for a second - especially in kitchens or bathrooms, around playground equipment, or near water.
• Buckle up your grandchildren correctly every time they ride in your car. Use age-appropriate restraints, including booster seats for children ages 4-8.
• Keep all medications, vitamins and household products in their original containers, locked up and out of sight and reach of children.
• Install and maintain a smoke alarm on every level of your home and near all sleeping areas.
• Set your water thermostat to 120º F or below to prevent scald burns.
• Don't allow children under age 10 to cross streets alone.
• Make sure grandchildren always wear safety gear (helmets, pads, etc.) when riding bikes, using scooters, skating and playing sports.
• If there are firearms in the home, store them unloaded and locked up, with ammunition locked in a separate location, out of grandchildren's reach.
• Keep poison control center (1-800-222-1222) and emergency medical service numbers listed near every telephone in the home. Have a first aid kit readily available.
• Take a class to become certified in CPR and first aid.

For more information to help older Americans learn about these and other ways to prevent injury, visit www.safekids.org.

Kansas SAFE KIDS, Inc. is a nonprofit coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Anderson, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ford, Franklin, Johnson, Marion, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Rice, Saline, and Shawnee Counties, as well as Chanute, Hutchinson, Junction City, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Pittsburg, and Wichita. Kansas SAFE KIDS is affiliated with the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.