Goodbye winter, and hello spring! We hope each of you had a wonderful Spring Break and are enjoying being back in your schools. We are officially in the home stretch now, so let the countdown to summer begin! Mark your calendars with the dates for our summer school nurse workshops - we will be opening registration for both of these very soon, so stay tuned! As always, on behalf of everyone at Children’s of Alabama, thank you for your continued commitment to your students. | | Distracted Driving Awareness Month | | | |
In 2022, there were 3,308 people killed and an estimated additional 289,310 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.1 Texting is the most alarming distraction, as reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. When traveling at 55 mph, that is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.2 It's important to note that cell phones are not the only cause of distracted driving; it is anything that takes your attention away from driving, whether it be visually, cognitively, or manually.3 Some groups are more at risk, such as teen and young adult drivers.4 However, the good news is that distracted driving is preventable.3 We can all play a role in the fight to end distracted driving. In the school setting, spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving to your students.2 As adults, we must first lead by example, by never driving distracted.
- Traffic Safety Marketing - Distracted Driving
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Distracted Driving
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Distracted Driving
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Distracted Driving Risk Factors
| | | Severe Weather Preparedness | | |
Alabama is no stranger to severe weather, as we are part of "Dixie Alley" - an area in the Southeast that is known for tornadoes.1 Though it's most likely to occur between November and May, severe weather can happen any time of the year.1 Because of that, it's important to be prepared and have a severe weather plan. Make sure you have a reliable way of receiving severe weather warnings.2 Know where your safe place is in your home, and have your family practice going to your safe place to help everyone become comfortable with the process.2,3 It's also a good idea to prepare a severe weather bag for each member of the family.3 This should include essential items such as a helmet, flashlight, and hard-soled shoes. For children, include a name band or white t-shirt for parents to write the child's name, emergency contact information, and any of the child's medical conditions to assist first responders in the event you are separated from your child.3,4 Having a plan and being prepared can help make the idea of storms less stressful for the entire family.2
- Children's of Alabama - Weather Awareness
- The Official Blog of Children's of Alabama - Tornadoes: Helping Your Family Be Prepared
- The Official Blog of Children's of Alabama - Severe Weather Preparedness
- Children's of Alabama - Severe Weather Readiness
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Spring is Here, and Pollen is Near
Allergy Season has Arrived
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 | | As the birds begin to chirp and the flowers begin to bloom, the pollen too begins to fall. Because of that, the lovely spring weather also brings one common foe to roughly 36 million Americans - seasonal allergies - as pollen is the biggest culprit to allergies in the spring.1,2 Seasonal allergies can have many symptoms including sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy eyes.1,2 Duration of symptoms is dependent on specifically what you are allergic to.1 Though allergy symptoms typically display in seasonal variances, understanding the difference in allergy symptoms and those of other illnesses is important, as allergies do not commonly present with a fever or flu-like symptoms.1 Many treatments for seasonal allergies are available, but there are also steps you can take in the home to provide symptomatic relief. One suggestion is to take hot showers, as the shower removes any pollen and allergens from the body, while the heat and steam helps loosen and drain mucus.1 Other suggestions include limiting spring allergy exposure - this can be done by closing all windows and doors in your home, and taking off your shoes at the door to prevent allergens from spreading.2
- UAB News - Allergies attaching? Avoid the pollen panic this spring with these tips
- UAB Medical West Blogs & News - Allergy Season!
| | Need help educating your students and parents? | | |
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Check out KidsHealth
- NEW Homework Help (Topic Center)
- Printable resources with advice on children's health, behavior, and growth from before birth through the teenage years
- Information on a variety of topics including how the body works, homework help, and more
- Approved by doctors, and has separate sections written specifically for parents, teens, and kids
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Inside Pediatrics
Inside Pediatrics is a free monthly podcast series featuring specialists at Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Episodes cover topics related to child health and wellness, research and treatment, and frequently complement articles appearing in Inside Pediatrics magazine.
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