p o o c S On Summer
ThE mineR
Be a superhero of summer safety
Summer is a time for playground fun, camping, boating, swimming, biking and other fun outdoor activities. Playground falls, lawnmower accidents, campfire and fire pit burns are some common and potentially life-altering childhood injuries that happen during summer months. Darren Rottmann knows first-hand how easily accidents can happen, particularly in the summer months when outdoor activities increase. He lost his leg in a lawn mower accident when he was 3 1/2 years old. He was treated at Shriners Hospitals for Children – St. Louis, where he was fitted for different prosthetic legs as he grew. Despite his injury, Rottmann was able to walk then run, and eventually, play baseball, basketball and football. Now 37 years old, Rottmann is a certified prosthetist at the same hospital where he was treated. He was inspired to help children the same way he was helped as a boy. “I started out as a technician building the prosthetic legs, but have worked my way into patient care,” he said. “I think it puts the kids’ minds and their parents’ minds at ease to see that somebody else has been through it.” Today, Rottmann is helping Shriners Hospitals for Children encourage kids to become “Superheroes of Summer Safety” by learning and following a few simple rules of safe summer play. “We’re here to help kids who need us, but we’d prefer that a child isn’t injured in the first place,” Rottmann said. “These tips, like keeping children inside while mowing the lawn, are good reminders for all of us.” There are 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children in the United States, Canada and Mexico, including Spokane, that provide specialized care to children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. The Spokane Shriners Hospital regularly holds clinics at Newport Hospital and Health Services. “Sustaining a serious injury can be a life-altering event for a child,” said Jerry Gantt, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hospitals for Children. “We see patients every day with injuries caused by accidents and we are committed to raising awareness about how to stay safe.” Here are some tips from Rottmann and Shriners Hospitals for Children to help your family enjoy a fun, injury-free summer.
June 15, 2016 |
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RECREATION CLOSE TO HOME
Hiking • Fishing • Paddling • ORV Riding • Camping • Horseback Riding
P.O.C. Parks & Recreation 509-447-6457
P.O.C. Community Development Department www.pendoreille.co.org/your-government/parks-and-recreation/
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• Safe - Fun • Educational • Family Orientated • DSHS & ICCP School Bus Transportation To and From Newport School & Headstart Welcome • Summer Fieldtrips • Cooking • Arts & Crafts Flexible Hours • Homestyle Meals Available
School Age Infants - Toddlers Preschoolers
Children’s Learning World, LLC 208-448-4482 • 4797 Hwy 2 Priest River, ID
Introducing Elizabeth Jacobsen PA-C 16 years of dermatology experience
Blue Jeans & Country Dreams
Pend Oreille County Fair Aug 18-21
Now seeing patients in our Spokane Valley
Fair Admission
office and in
13 yrs & Up $700 • 4-12 $200 - 3 & Under FREE
Colville.
13 yrs & Up w/Fair Button $700 • 4-12 w/Fair Button $200 • 3 & Under FREE
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The physical and mental health benefits of outdoor play are great for children. It provides opportunities for exercise, creative expression, stress reduction and access to a free and natural source of vitamin D – sunlight. Before sending kids out to play, make sure they always wear shoes to protect feet from cuts, scrapes and splinters, and wear sunscreen to protect from sunburns and harmful ultra-violet rays.
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Playground 101
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SUMMER MEALS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger every year for playground-related injuries. Before your kids head to the playground, keep these precautions in mind: Choose parks and playgrounds that are appropriate for their age and offer shock-absorbing surfaces. Teach children that pushing and shoving on the playground can result in accidents and injuries. Remind kids to go down the slide one at a time and to wait until the slide is completely clear before taking their turn. Teach them to always sit facing forward with their legs straight in front of them and to never slide down headfirst. Remind children to swing sitting down. Encourage them to wait until the swing stops before getting off and to be careful when walking in front of moving swings.
(no income requirements)
Open site available to all kids 1 - 18 years old Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Sadie Halstead Middle School Cafeteria Breakfast 7:45 - 8:15 • Lunch 11:30 - 12:15
June 27th - July 27th
Make a safe splash While playing poolside may be a blast, Safe Kids Worldwide reports that drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 4 and it is the third-leading cause of injury-related death among those under 19. Additionally, the University of Michigan Health Systems estimate that
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