Summer 2014 Newsletter
Keep Kids Healthy and Safe this Summer
It’s summer, and for kids that means it’s time for sports, swimming,
biking and picnics. And while active outdoor time is healthy and
fun, experts say it’s crucial for parents and kids to brush up on some
seasonal safety tips.
According to the experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP), the summer poses its own set of risks. In order to help parents
keep kids happy, healthy and safe all summer long, they are
offering these timely tips:
Sun Safety
Sunburns are not only unpleasant,
they are damaging to skin health.
Minimize your family’s exposure
to harmful ultraviolet radiation
by dressing your children (and
yourself for that matter) in
cotton clothing with a tight
weave, sunglasses and hats
with a brim or bill. Stay in the
shade whenever possible and
use a sunscreen with an SPF 15
or greater, even on cloudy days,
and reapply it every two hours,
or after swimming or sweating.
Always keep plenty of water on
hand when you’re playing or exercising
outside. Unless kids are exercising
vigorously for extended periods, plain water—
not sports drinks—is the best way to rehydrate.
Water Safety
Drowning is a leading cause of death among children, including
infants and toddlers, but parents can make swimming safer for kids
with the right safety equipment, instruction and supervision.
“While swimming lessons are helpful, they are not a foolproof plan.
Parents should never—even for a moment—leave children alone
near open bodies of water,” says Dr. Thomas K. McInerny, the 2013
president of the AAP.
Home swimming pools should be surrounded by a four foot-high,
non-climbable, four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Parents, caregivers, and pool owners should learn CPR and keep
equipment approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, such as life preservers
and life jackets at poolside.
Trampolines
Even with netting, padding and adult supervision, experts say
that home trampolines are dangerous.
“Trampoline injuries are common, and can be
potentially catastrophic,” says Dr. McInerny.
“From temporarily debilitating sprains,
strains and contusions to cervical spine
injuries with lasting consequences,
the risks associated with recreational
trampoline use are easily avoided.”
Thousands of people are injured
on trampolines annually. Encourage
your child to get exercise in
safer ways.
Bike Safety
Children should wear a helmet on
every bike ride. Accidents can happen
anywhere, anytime. Get your child a
helmet specific for biking. Football helmets,
for example, are made to protect the head
from other types of injuries.
Teach your children traffic and bike safety before allowing
them to bike in the street. For example, they should always ride
with traffic and use hand signals. If your child doesn’t have the skills
necessary to use hand signals without swerving, he or she shouldn’t
be riding in the street.
For more summer safety tips, visit the AAP’s website for parents,
www.HealthyChildren.org.
By taking proper precautions, you can maximize the fun this
summer by keeping kids healthy, safe and sound.
Beating Heat Illness by Being S.M.A.R.T.
Exposure to heat can lead to serious, and even life threatening
illness. Heat illness ranges in severity from heat rashes, and cramps
to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Fatalities in organized sports
continue to raise awareness of heat stroke in athletes at all levels.
Early recognition and fast treatment can help save lives. Follow these
S.M.A.R.T. tips to beat the summer heat and prevent heat illness.
SCHEDULE practices and workouts during the early morning or
evening hours to avoid the highest temperatures.
MONITOR for symptoms and identify persons at high risk for
heat illness.
• High risk individuals: prior history of heat illness, history of recent
illness or muscle injury, those not acclimated to heat exercise,
and highly motivated athletes.
Welcome Yelena V. Pyatov, MD, MHA, –
Family Physician and Women’s Health Specialist
Dr. Pyatov joined Advocare Vernon Pediatrics in
2014. After receiving both her bachelor’s degree
in Nursing and her master’s degree in Health
Management and Policy from The University of
Iowa, she earned her medical degree from the
College of Medicine at The University of Vermont,
Burlington. She completed her pediatric internship at Cohen
Children’s Medical Center of New York and her family medicine
residency at Overlook Medical Center, Atlantic Health System.
With the addition of Dr. Pyatov, we are now able to treat the
entire family and expand our evening availability. With her unique
background and training in pediatrics, family practice, and
breastfeeding, Dr. Pyatov’s interests include:
• Adult sick and well care, including adult vaccines
• Signs of heat exhaustion: rapid pulse, headache, dizziness,
fainting, nausea, vomiting, unsteady walk, weakness, muscle
cramps, chills.
• Adolescent care
• Signs of heat stroke: weak or rapid pulse, confusion,
disorientation, agitation, aggressiveness, blank stare, staggering
gait, delirium, convulsions, unresponsiveness, hot and wet or dry
skin, vomiting, hyperventilation, involuntary bowel movement.
• Young adults with special medical needs
ACCLIMATE and ADJUST by gradually increasing exercise time and
intensity in the heat over 8-14 days. Reduce intensity in hot and
humid conditions. Wear light colored and loose fitted clothing
during workouts.
RECOVER and REPLENISH by staying in cool conditions long
enough to reduce body temperature and remember to drink during
exercise to replenish fluids and electrolytes.
THINK about emergency procedures for cooling anyone suffering
from heat illness. Rapid cooling procedures by immersing the athlete
in cold water or ice water are needed to administer effective cooling.
Carter, R., Cheuvront, S.N. and M.N. Sawka (2006). Heat Related Illness. Gatorade Sports
Science Institute, 19(3): 1-6.
• Breast feeding support
• Women’s health
• Family planning
•Asthma
•Hypertension
• Disease prevention and health promotion
• Integrative medicine
Dr. Pyatov’s goal is to help patients heal, partner with them to take better
care of their health and help prevent chronic diseases using the simplest,
safest and most effective methods. She loves sharing what she learns with
patients to help them find solutions that work for their lifestyle.
Dr. Pyatov is fluent in Russian. Away from the office, she finds
comfort in nature and enjoys exploring art museums and attending
theater and dance performances.
Summer Physicals
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine checkups
annually starting at three years of age. As we accommodate
these requests for physicals, we suggest that you try to make the
appointments as early in the summer as possible to avoid the “back
to school” rush. Most insurance companies allow one exam per
calendar year after the age of three. Thus you don’t necessarily have
to wait a full 365 days for your well exam. Please check with your
insurance carrier to verify your benefits.
249 Route 94, PO Box 739, Vernon, NJ 07462 • 973.827.4550 • advocaredoctors.com/vernon