Safe Kids Georgia

Keeping Your Summer Fun

SafeKidsGeorgia — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:39:13 +0000

Safe Kids Georgia offers safety tips to protect all children

With summer just around the corner, the amount of time that children spend outdoors playing and on the go will be increasing which means that the number of injuries to children can also increase. Therefore, each year during April, Safe Kids Georgia strives to remind people of ways to keep children safe at home, at play, and on the way by celebrating Safe Kids Week during the 21^st – 28^th. With more than 30 local coalitions throughout the state of Georgia, Safe Kids will be hosting several local events, such as the Baby Expo™, bike rodeos, car seat inspection stations, fire safety demonstrations, sports clinics and water safety events.

Did you know that 9 out of 10 injuries to children are preventable? Safe Kids Georgia is providing this list of questions for parents and caregivers to ask themselves in order to empower them with the answers to prevent traumatic injuries. Each day this week, we will answer these questions to help you keep the kids in your life safe and having a fun summer.

Are you aware of the recent changes in Georgia’s law about children riding in cars?
What’s the best way to protect your child from a water injury?
Are you sure you have the correct helmet for your child to wear every time when riding a bike, scooter, skateboard, or ATV?
Do you know how long it takes to raise the temperature inside a car 20 degrees?
Do you know the steps to take to properly prepare your child for sports?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions or want more information, consider attending a Safe Kids’ event or educational class by contacting your local coalition. Safe Kids Georgia is dedicated to providing opportunities for families to learn about accidental injuries and steps they can take to keep their families safe while having fun this spring and summer.

Looking forward to Safe Kids Georgia Gala: Atlanta Falcons | Auction Getaways | Diamonds and Pampering | Nascar

SafeKidsGeorgia — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:54:29 +0000

The Inaugural Safe Kids Georgia Gala on Friday, May 4th is shaping up to be an evening to remember! Confirmed celebrities include Atlanta Falcons football players Kevin Cone and Andrew Jackson, Lori Geary (WSB-TV) and Christi Paul (CNN). The fabulous W Hotel at Midown will be filled with music from the Dekalb Youth Symphony Orchestra and the auction items are out of this world! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the hot ticket items…

Need to Get Away?

Enjoy an evening at the Ritz Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee in a resort view room for one night. General Motors will provide luxury ride for the weekend to get you to The Ritz for your getaway.
Enjoy a one night stay at Chateau Elan with a wine tour and tasting for two along with a General Motors vehicle get you there.
Or how about a one week stay at a Villa in Tuscany, Italy?!

Tuscany Villa

Nice view...

If international travel isn’t your thing, how about a weekend trip to Wild Dunes in Charleston with complimentary breakfast, golf round and 2 day bike rental along with a General Motors vehicle?

Like your SEC Football?

4 tickets on the 45 yard line only 14 rows from the field for the University of Florida vs. LSU game at The Swamp in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October, 6 2012.
4 tickets on the 45 yard line only 14 rows from the field to University of Florida vs. South Carolina game at The Swamp in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October, 20 2012.

Diamonds, Glam, Escalades & Tea Parties!

Ascot Diamonds has provided us a unique diamond pendant custom made just for the Gala!
Look out for a genuine leather designer bag from Henri Bendel valued at over $450 along with a fabulous cut, color and facial from Atlanta’s Vis-à-vis the salon.
Have Tea Party with the First Lady of Georgia along with a private tour of the Governor’s mansion.
Enjoy a week of cruising in style with a General Motors Escalade AND gas card!

Are you into Fast Cars?

2 tickets to the Nascar World Truck Series Night Race, food provided, behind the scenes tours, attending a non-public drivers crew meeting, Seat in the pit box & meet and greet with drivers

The fun doesn’t stop there…look for spa packages, beauty treatments, fitness fun, date night packages, and so much more! Visit www.eventbee.com/v/safekidsgeorgia to purchase tickets.

Many thanks to our fabulous sponsors!

All proceeds will benefit the Safe Kids Georgia mission of preventing injury among children ages 0-14, which is the number one cause of death.

Safe Kids Georgia on My Fox Atlanta News

SafeKidsGeorgia — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:12:07 +0000

Safe Kids Georgia Fellow, Megan Popielarczyk spoke to My Fox Atlanta.

FOX MEDICAL TEAM: Stairs Injuries: MyFoxATLANTA.com

FOX MEDICAL TEAM: Stairs Injuries

Published : Monday, 12 Mar 2012, 5:56 PM EDT

By BETH GALVIN/myfoxatlanta

DECATUR, Ga. – Every six minutes, a child ends up in the emergency room because of a stair-related injury.

A new study shows younger children are the most likely to be seriously hurt in a fall.

A quarter of the toddlers that were injured fell while being carried on the stairs. Researchers think that parents might be multitasking.

If 15-month-old Rigby Johnson wants up the stairs of his neighborhood jungle gym, he goes for it. No fear, no hesitation, no memory — he just fell off the stairs and busted his lip a couple of weeks ago,

His dad, Brandon, is right behind him wherever he goes.

“He’s at that age where he doesn’t know his boundaries,” said Randy Johnson.

A new study in journal “pediatrics” shows the smaller the child, the bigger the risk, when it comes to stair falls. Most kids get hurt not on the playground or school, but in their own home.

FOX 5 asked Safe Kids Georgia fellow Megan Popielarczyk to show us how to fall-proof your stairs.

The first step: clear the clutter.

Popielarczyk says if you have a toddler, you need baby gates at both top and the bottom of the stairs.

The safest way to use the stairs is to steady yourself with one hand. Check your handrails to make sure they’re wide enough, and firm enough.

If you’re carrying a child, don’t try to multitask. Keep one hand free.

Landon Barger’s mom, Melissa, says they’ve got two sets of stairs at home.

Her message: no stairs by yourself.

“We’ve just trained him he has to go with mommy and daddy. We don’t have gate, actually, at our home. So he just understands he’s not supposed to go down without mom or dad,” said Melissa Barger.

Researchers found that the children who fell while being carried on the stairs were three times more likely to be seriously injured than the kids who fell on their own.

About 10,000 children were hurt in carriage or stroller accidents on the stairs.

Many were strapped in, but that didn’t protect them.

Save the Date – Safe Kids Georgia Gala

SafeKidsGeorgia — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:59:20 +0000

Welcome Mary Record to Safe Kids Georgia

SafeKidsGeorgia — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:56:58 +0000

My name is Mary Record and I am the new Administrative Assistant for Safe Kids Georgia. I am 23 years old and recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from The University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion. I am the youngest of five children and live in Atlanta, close to my family. I am certified in Adult and Child CPR, AED and First Aid and plan to continue my certifications in CHES and Car Seat Safety. My work with the Safe Kids Georgia Team began in the fall when I interned for them through UGA’s undergraduate internship program. I fell in love with the people we work with and the cause that Safe Kids Georgia advocates for; unintentional injuries in children 14 and under. I am looking forward to putting the knowledge and experience I gained during my internship into my new work and am excited to assist everyone involved with Safe Kids Georgia. Thanks for having me!

Coordinator Holiday Luncheon 2011

SafeKidsGeorgia — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:10:44 +0000

Tomorrow is the Annual Coordinator Holiday Lunch being held at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta office park. Lunch is being provided by the Hungry Peach at a special price for Safe Kids. Many thanks to the Hungry Peach team!

More about the Hungry Peach:
The Hungry Peach is owned and operated by Conor Hubbard and Chef Suzanne Vizethann; two high school friends that shared a dream that eventually turned into reality. Together they infuse southern hospitality with gourmet dishes using the highest quality of ingredients.

Drug Free Coalition of Hall County

SafeKidsGeorgia — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:30:12 +0000

A Safe Kids Gainesville/Hall County Partner:

Meet Megan Popielarczyk, Safe Kids Georgia Fellow

admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:21:43 +0000

I wanted to take to opportunity to introduce myself and give you a brief summary of my background as I will be working with you all and Safe Kids GA over the next two years. I received my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Kentucky, while there I worked as a research intern focused on the effectiveness of farm safety day camps.

Upon graduation I worked with Indian Health Service in Washington State for about 3.5 years. While on the reservation I had the opportunity to care for patients across the lifespan during routine visits to the clinic as well as during urgent and emergent situations. As you can imagine while working on the reservation I observed and treated both intentional and unintentional injuries. This experience shaped me as a nurse and influenced me to continue my education in public health.

While pursuing an MPH from 2008-2010 at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, I worked at UNC’s Hospital. This time caring for adults seeing a variety of both surgical and medical patients in what is best described as an ER overflow unit. During the summer between my first and second years of grad school I had the opportunity to work with UNICEF India, in Hyderabad. As part of this I worked with a small international team of graduate students to evaluate/ document a case study of a statewide Adolescent Education Program. Upon return from India I responded to H1N1 assisting the county health department with mass vaccination clinics.

I began the Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Public Health Prevention Service (PHPS) Fellowship, in the fall of 2010. During the first year of the fellowship I did a 6 month stent in the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control’s, Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation. The second 6 month rotation I was placed in the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response, working with the Division of the Strategic National Stockpile. In other words, the people you want to know if there is ever a biological terrorist attack. Now rounding out my fellowship rotations I am beginning my two years with Safe Kids GA.

I’m looking forward to a wide range of experiences over the next two years and am excited to be working with the local coalitions and making an impact on communities within Georgia to save lives and decrease unintentional injuries to children across the state.

Safe Kids Georgia Launches New Website!

SafeKidsGeorgia — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:42:36 +0000

We are very excited to announce our new website. We hope you’ll browse around and provide feedback to dannamb@me.com. Thanks for visiting!