Unwrap Safety for the Holidays: Put a Lid on Your Kid

Give your child the joy of opening an additional holiday present and give yourself peace of mind if you get them a bike, skateboard or scooter.

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Rady Children’s Hospital and Racers and Chasers are teaming up to remind people that those gifts need to be accompanied by a properly-fitted helmet, as well as wrist guards and elbow and knee pads if it’s a skateboard.

“Riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter are great ways for kids to get exercise and encourages them to choose healthy, physical activities over things like video games and television,” said Nick Macchione, HHSA Director. “ But it's important to keep safety in mind at all times and a proper helmet should be essential equipment for riders of any age."

“During the past year, 222 children under the age of 15 were injured riding their bikes, scooter or skateboards in San Diego County,” said County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H. “It’s estimated that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by approximately 85 to 90 percent.”

Any helmet should be labeled to indicate that it meets the standards set by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. For more information about injuries in children, see the County website at:sdhealthstatistics.com.

Avoid gift card scams

Be careful when selecting gift cards for your friends and loved ones. Crooks have learned how to exploit this popular form of gift-giving through tampering, trickery and outright theft.

Even when the Holiday season is over, gift card sales are a year round business for many retailers. Because of this we want to bring gift card scams to your attention. These scams can drain the value right out of your card before you get to use it.

Whether you choose a gift card from a store display or have a clerk hand it to you, always take the time to examine both side of the packaging before paying for it. Better yet, remove the packaging before you leave the store. If you can see the PIN number or detect signs of tampering, don’t pay for the card or ask for another. Let the store’s management know why. If the card can’t be used for online or “card not present” purchases you don’t have to worry as much because the thief would need the card in hand to use it.

National Influenza Vaccination Week 2015.

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? If not, you should before influenza starts to spread in the next weeks and months.

“Everyone should get a flu shot,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “The vaccine is the most effective way to prevent getting sick.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every year. The vaccine is safe and effective. It takes two weeks for immunity to develop.

Vaccination is especially important for people who are at high risk of developing serious complications from influenza. In addition to getting vaccinated, people should also avoid getting sick.

The flu vaccine is available at doctors’ offices and retail pharmacies. If you don’t have medical insurance, you can go to a Community Health Center or County public health center to get vaccinated. For a list of locations, visit www.sdiz.org or call 2-1-1.

West Nile Virus Remains a Risk

The colder temperatures and rain season have arrived. But that hasn’t closed the door on the 2015 West Nile virus season.

The total number of “confirmed” and “probable” human West Nile virus cases has increased from 35 in mid-November to 41 as of this week. At the same time, County environmental health officials said they are still collecting dead infected birds: 47 since Nov. 1, bringing this year’s total to 362. Because of that, County public health and environmental health officials said people should still remember to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

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Norovirus outbreak has sickened people in nine states.

The outbreak of norovirus at a Chipotle about half a mile from campus has sickened 141 Boston College students, according to Jack Dunn, a spokesperson for the school.

Officials said an employee at the restaurant was sick during a shift last week and may have caused the outbreak of norovirus, which is very contagious and causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Chipotle says it offers employees paid sick days and that the employee in question would have been eligible for the benefit.In addition, 12 students who did not eat at Chipotle have also come down with norovirus symptoms," Dunn said. "We expect that number will continue to grow considering the highly contagious nature of the norovirus.

Norovirus can be transmitted by eating contaminated food, or by touching infected surfaces, then putting your fingers in your mouth. The best way to stop norovirus in its tracks is to wash your hands, especially after using the bathroom and changing diapers, but also before eating and when preparing food.

Chris Arnold, a Chipotle spokesman, also said an employee coming in sick was in violation of the company's policies. Before reopening the restaurant in Boston, Arnold said all the employees are being tested for norovirus, and that they will not return to work until they are cleared.

Five Penalties You Face for Giving Alcohol to Minors

According to the latest California Healthy Kids Survey, 13 percent of 7th graders, 24 percent of 9th graders and 33 percent of 11th graders had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days. Furthermore, 6 percent, 14 percent and 22 percent of those respective groups of students indicated they had binged on alcohol, defined as drinking five or more drinks in a row to become intoxicated quickly.

In an effort to keep alcohol away from minors, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is reminding adults that it is against the law to host underage drinking parties and to allow minors to drink.

“Minors drink because they get alcohol from parents, older siblings, relatives and friends who are willing to give alcohol to them,” said Alfredo Aguirre, director for HHSA’s Behavioral Health Services division. “Minors drink because there are people willing to accept a bribe and buy them alcohol or store clerks fail to check IDs.”

A study from the American Medical Association shows underage drinking is a factor in nearly half of all teen car crashes, the leading cause of death among teenagers. Fights, assaults and sexual assaults also occur.

“Underage drinking is dangerous and binge drinking even more so. Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can result in alcohol poisoning which can be fatal,” Aguirre added.

To report underage drinking parties, contact your local police department, the Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers Anonymous Tip Line at (888) 580-8477.

Parents who suspect their child might have a drinking problem are encouraged to call the County Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240.

Fall Prevention Awareness

Each year, more than 12,000 older adults in San Diego County arrive at the hospital after a fall. You are more likely to fall if you take multiple medications, have low Vitamin D, get dizzy, have problems seeing, or have trouble walking and getting around. However, there are many things you can do to stay active, independent, and fall-free. That is why the California State Legislature has designated the first week of autumn each year to be Fall Prevention Awareness Week.

The San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force has been leading the way locally in education and resources to keep older adults from this type of harm.For more information or to participe please call 1-800-827-1008

Fall Prevention Awareness

Each year, more than 12,000 older adults in San Diego County arrive at the hospital after a fall. You are more likely to fall if you take multiple medications, have low Vitamin D, get dizzy, have problems seeing, or have trouble walking and getting around. However, there are many things you can do to stay active, independent, and fall-free. That is why the California State Legislature has designated the first week of autumn each year to be Fall Prevention Awareness Week.

The San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force has been leading the way locally in education and resources to keep older adults from this type of harm.For more information or to participe please call 1-800-827-1008