Heat Advisory Warning for DC This Weekend – What to Know

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 19, 2019

This weekend, temperatures in DC will soar to over 100 degrees, with some areas forecast to be over 110 degrees. The extreme heat has prompted the city to enact its heat emergency plan to mediate the effects of the weather. The DC City Government advises people to be cautious of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The high temperatures combined with the summer humidity create conditions that are dangerous for those who are outside too long and don’t stay properly hydrated. In order to beat the heat, the city is offering several options for those in need of relief: Cooling centers…

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Electric Scooter Safety in the District

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 08, 2019

It’s nearly impossible to walk around the streets of DC today and not encounter people riding electric scooters. This relatively new addition to transportation has changed the way transit in the city operates. Here are some guidelines about safety practices around electric scooters, whether you’re riding one or you encounter them on a daily basis. New Technology, Old Problem Functionally, electric scooter safety is similar to bike safety. However, electric scooters are novel, easy to use, and widely accessible, which has opened up scooter use to many more casual commuters who might not apprecaite the risks associated with electric  Electric…

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How Conflicts Between Nurses And Doctors May Place You at Risk

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 03, 2019

Conflict pervades nearly every workplace imaginable. In some offices, it’s simply annoying. In the health care industry, however, it can prove lethal. Unfortunately, such conflicts are far more common than most patients suspect. Below, we explain why these conflicts occur and how they can lead to negative health care outcomes: How Conflicts Play Out — And Why Conflicts between medical professionals typically involve health care workers with different job titles. For example, doctors may disagree with nurses, or nurses may butt heads with nursing assistants. These conflicts involve an inherent imbalance of power, in which one party holds far greater…

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Outdoor Fire Pit Maintenance and Precautions

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 03, 2019

Fire pits—whether they are portable or permanent—can provide warmth, ambiance, and style to outdoor gatherings. Since summertime is often associated with fire pit get-togethers, owners should be careful about the potential dangers if they fail to perform maintenance and take proper precautions. Necessary Maintenance Routine basic upkeep of outdoor fire pits is required just like an indoor fireplace would need. If you do not use your fire pit year round, thoroughly clean it at the beginning of each heavy-use season and remove excess ash buildup from previous use. During winter and spring months when fire pits are not used as…

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Stay Safe and Have Fun This 4th of July

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 02, 2019

Washington, DC is one of the best cities to celebrate our nation’s founding. Some of the celebrations, however, can result in easily preventable injuries. Here’s how to celebrate 4th of July this year while making sure you don’t get hurt enjoying the holiday. BBQ’ing and Picnics If you’re going to be cooking outdoors this holiday, make sure you follow basic safety tips when grilling. Over 7,000 people a year in the U.S. get injured by simple backyard grills. Making sure your grill station is prepared and safe is the best way to prevent unfortunate injuries from interrupting your celebrations. Grill…

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Local Fire Caused by Charcoal Highlights the Risks of Cooking without Precautions

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 02, 2019

Charcoal briquettes that were still hot after a family was finished grilling caused a fire on Sunday in Prince George’s County. Grilling is a fun activity for the whole family, but includes inherent risks of injury and property damage. In this case, there were luckily no reported injuries; however the property damage was estimated to be around $100,000. Education and hazard awareness help to mitigate risks so that this type of suffering does not need to occur. The Prince George’s County Fire Department provides the following tips for grilling in their Summer Safety First series: Never use a grill indoors…

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Vaping: Safer than Cigarettes, but Still Not Safe for Teens

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jul 02, 2019

In the past few decades, smoking rates have decreased drastically, especially among young people. Unfortunately, new ways of nicotine consumption are replacing traditional tobacco use among teens and young people. Vaping Over Cigarettes: Not Great, Not Terrible Either While cigarettes burns tobacco, a ‘vape’ instead heats concentrated nicotine juice which is then turned to steam and inhaled by the user. E-cigarettes and vapes have been around for more than a decade, but the NIH says their use has skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to popular vape brands like Juul. Most vape and e-cigarette companies present themselves as healthier alternatives to…

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American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Reminds Parents that Napping in Car Seats Can Result in Death

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 28, 2019

A recent recall of an inclined Fisher-Price crib, due to dozens of infant deaths, highlighted concerns over safe infant sleeping practices. The recall comes at a time when infant sleeping safety is already well-known in the pediatrics community, following the release of a long-term study published in Pediatrics that looked at infant mortality. The study found that most infant deaths in a seated position occurred in car seats where infants had been sleeping. Safest Sleeping Position for Infants? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that the most safe sleeping position for infants is on their back using a firm,…

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Updated Sports Physical Recommendations: What You Need to Know

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 28, 2019

The sports physical is a rite of passage for any child or teen looking to participate in school-based athletics. Over the years, however, this essential — also referred to as the preparticipation physical evaluation — has evolved. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics and several other authorities have updated sports physical recommendations to reflect growing concerns regarding transgender athletes, bullying in athletics, and other issues largely overlooked in the past. A few takeaways from these updates are outlined below: The Role of Mental Health The updated sports physical guidelines acknowledge the prominent role that mental health concerns play in the…

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Concussion Risk Affects Student Athletes of All Ages

Posted By Regan Zambri Long | Posted on: Jun 26, 2019

Student Athlete Concussions Concussions are often associated with professional level athletes, but the risk factors are present at any level of intense physical exercise. The consequences of a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) for student athletes are arguably higher than paid athletes since the recovery time is longer at a younger age. Recovery requires both physical and mental rest—which may be harder to achieve while keeping up with school work. Concussions at All Ages Most sports injury research focuses on High School and Collegiate level student athletes. However, athletes of all ages are at risk of getting a concussion that…

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