Notes from the Nurse: June

Helmet Safety

This month is all about every child’s favorite thing … helmets! While most children really don’t like to wear them, they are an essential part of keeping your child safe. Here is what you should know about helmets and how to encourage your child to wear one.

Why It Matters

According to the CDC, bicycle helmets reduce the risk for head injuries from bicycle crashes by 85%. There is no concussion-proof helmet, but a helmet can help protect your child or teen from a serious brain or head injury. It is important for your child or teen to avoid hits to the head, even with a helmet. It's also very important that helmets fit properly by being well maintained, age appropriate, certified for use, and worn consistently and correctly.

When to Wear a Helmet

Common activities that require a helmet are:

•Bicycling

•Skateboarding

•Skating

•Scootering

•Football

•Baseball

•Horseback riding

•Snowboarding

•Skiing

•Lacrosse

•Hockey

•Wakeboarding/ Water skiing

Choosing a Helmet

You can use the SAFE method recommended by the CDC to select the right helmet for your child.

What You Can Do

•Stay consistent with helmet rules.
•Get a helmet that fits correctly.
•Allow your child to help pick out their helmet.
•Model good behavior. Let your child see you wearing a helmet as well.
•Helmets can be expensive. Check local hospitals for helmet giveaways and fittings.

Most manufacturers and safety organizations recommend replacing helmets every 5 years.

Here are some fun things to do over the summer!

🍦 Eat ice cream
🏊‍♂️ Swim in a lake
🏖️ Play in the sand
🚲 Go on a bike ride (wear your helmet)
📖 Read a new book
🧺 Have a picnic outdoors
🏛️ Visit a local museum
🪁 Fly a kite
⛺ Camp under the stars
🌄 Watch a sunset
🥾 Explore a nature trail
🍋 Make lemonade
🍅 Visit a farmer’s market
🏰 Build a sandcastle
🍖 Have a BBQ party
🎣 Go fishing
🎡 Have a family game night
⛳ Play mini golf
💦 Water balloon fights
🌱 Start a garden
🧤 Lend a helping hand
🐛 Go on a scavenger hunt

Illness

When can students return to school after illness?

When symptoms of illness have improved
Symptoms of fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, should be resolved for at least 24 hours without medication before returning to school
If an antibiotic is warranted (such as for strep throat) the individual may return 24 hours after starting the antibiotic and symptoms have improved

For more information about the flu, go to: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flu.html

Reach out to Ms. Peterson if you have any questions.