Safety Information
Your child's safety and well being is our top priority. On this page you'll discover important information on creating a safe environment for your child, including guidelines for safe sleep, the proper use of helmets, and car seat safety.
Safe Sleep
Vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. They work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens without causing the illness itself. Vaccination helps prevent outbreaks, protect vulnerable populations, and contributes to herd immunity, which reduces the spread of disease in the community.
If you have concerns about the vaccine schedule or specific vaccines, please discuss them with one of our providers. We are committed to addressing your concerns and providing evidence-based information to help you make informed decisions about your child's health.
While we strongly recommend following the standard vaccine schedule set by the AAP and CDC for optimal protection, we understand that some families may have unique circumstances. If you are considering an alternate vaccine schedule, please discuss this with us. We will work with you to understand your concerns and ensure that any adjustments do not compromise your child’s health and safety.
If you choose not to follow the recommended vaccine schedule, we will work with you to understand your decision and provide guidance on alternative approaches. However, it is important to be aware that deviations from the recommended schedule may increase the risk of your child contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. We will support you in making informed decisions and monitor your child’s health closely.
We will keep you informed about any updates or changes in vaccine guidelines through regular communications and educational materials. You can also visit the AAP and CDC websites for the latest information on vaccines and immunization schedules. If you have specific questions or need clarification, please feel free to contact our office.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, usually during sleep. The exact cause of SIDS is unknown, but certain sleep practices and environmental factors can increase the risk.
To help reduce the risk of SIDS, follow these safe sleep guidelines for infants under 1 year old:
Place your baby on their back to sleep, for every sleep, including naps.
Use a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or play yard. Avoid soft bedding, pillows, and stuffed toys in the sleep area.
Keep your baby’s sleep area clear of loose bedding, bumper pads, and toys.
Share a room, not a bed: Keep your baby’s sleep area in your room, but not in your bed.
Avoid overheating: Dress your baby in light sleep clothing and keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
Avoid exposure to smoke: Do not smoke around your baby and ensure your baby is in a smoke-free environment.
It is safest for your baby to sleep in a crib, bassinet, or play yard designed for sleep. Sleeping in swings, car seats, or other devices can increase the risk of SIDS due to potential airway obstruction or positional asphyxia. Use these devices only when your baby is supervised and awake.
Offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime may reduce the risk of SIDS. If you choose to use a pacifier, wait until breastfeeding is well established (usually around 3-4 weeks) and avoid attaching the pacifier to your baby’s clothing or crib with cords.
Safe sleep practices should be followed for the first year of your baby’s life. After the first year, you can transition to more flexible sleep arrangements, but maintaining a safe sleep environment is always important.
If you have any concerns about your baby's sleep patterns or health, please contact our office for guidance. We can provide personalized advice and address any specific questions or issues you may have.
Car Seats
The AAP provides the following guidelines for car seat safety:
Rear-Facing Seats: Keep your child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, typically until they reach the highest weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. This is usually around 2 years of age or more.
Forward-Facing Seats: Once your child outgrows the rear-facing seat, transition to a forward-facing car seat with a harness. Continue using this seat until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit set by the manufacturer, usually around 4 years of age.
Booster Seats: After outgrowing the forward-facing seat, use a booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly. This typically happens when your child is between 8 and 12 years old and at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Seat Belts: Children should use a seat belt alone only when they are tall enough to sit with their back against the vehicle seat, knees bent at the edge of the seat, and the seat belt crossing the shoulder and lap properly.
Transition your child to a forward-facing car seat only when they have outgrown the rear-facing seat according to the car seat manufacturer’s height and weight limits. The AAP recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible for maximum safety.
Your child is ready for a booster seat when they have outgrown their forward-facing car seat with a harness. They should be able to sit with their back against the vehicle seat, knees bent comfortably over the edge, and the seat belt fitting across their shoulder and lap correctly without the booster seat.
To ensure proper installation of a car seat:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Carefully read and follow both the car seat and vehicle owner’s manuals.
Use the correct installation method: Depending on the car seat, use either the seat belt or LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system. Ensure it’s tightly secured with minimal movement.
Check the angle: Make sure the car seat is reclined at the correct angle, as specified by the manufacturer.
Ensure harness fit: The harness should be snug and at or below your child’s shoulders for rear-facing, and at or above the shoulders for forward-facing.
Replace a car seat if it has been involved in a moderate to severe crash, has expired (most car seats have a 6-10 year lifespan), or if it has any visible damage. Additionally, replace the seat if it no longer fits your child according to the manufacturer’s weight and height limits.
For assistance with car seat installation or fitting, you can visit a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) listed below. In addition to the locations listed below, many local police or fire departments, hospitals, and community organizations offer car seat checks.
Laurinburg
Laurinburg City Fire Department Station 1 PCS 501 North Main Street 910-276-1811 Seven days a week by appointment only.
Laurinburg City Fire Department Station 6 PCS 1547 Hickory Street 910-276-1811 Seven days a week by appointment only.
Hamlet
Hamlet Fire Department 302 Champlain St. 910-582-2441 By appointment only.
Rockingham
Rockingham Fire Department PCS 231 S. Lawrence Street
910-997-4002
Wednesday: 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Helmets, Sports, and Recreational Safety
Vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. They work by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens without causing the illness itself. Vaccination helps prevent outbreaks, protect vulnerable populations, and contributes to herd immunity, which reduces the spread of disease in the community.
If you have concerns about the vaccine schedule or specific vaccines, please discuss them with one of our providers. We are committed to addressing your concerns and providing evidence-based information to help you make informed decisions about your child's health.
While we strongly recommend following the standard vaccine schedule set by the AAP and CDC for optimal protection, we understand that some families may have unique circumstances. If you are considering an alternate vaccine schedule, please discuss this with us. We will work with you to understand your concerns and ensure that any adjustments do not compromise your child’s health and safety.
If you choose not to follow the recommended vaccine schedule, we will work with you to understand your decision and provide guidance on alternative approaches. However, it is important to be aware that deviations from the recommended schedule may increase the risk of your child contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. We will support you in making informed decisions and monitor your child’s health closely.
We will keep you informed about any updates or changes in vaccine guidelines through regular communications and educational materials. You can also visit the AAP and CDC websites for the latest information on vaccines and immunization schedules. If you have specific questions or need clarification, please feel free to contact our office.
Helmets should be worn during activities with a risk of head injury. This includes biking, skateboarding, roller skating, scootering, and certain sports like baseball or hockey. Make sure the helmet fits properly and is worn correctly for maximum protection.
Choose a helmet that fits snugly but comfortably. It should sit level on your child’s head and not move more than an inch in any direction. Look for helmets that meet safety standards such as those certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for bicycles, or specific standards for other sports. Replace the helmet if it has been involved in a significant impact, or if it becomes damaged.
To fit a helmet correctly:
Place the helmet on your child’s head and ensure it sits level, covering the forehead.
Adjust the straps so they form a “V” shape just below the ears.
The helmet should be snug but not overly tight. You should be able to fit only one or two fingers between the helmet and your child’s chin strap when the strap is fastened.
Conduct a test by gently shaking your child’s head to check if the helmet shifts. It should stay in place.
Ensure your child wears appropriate safety gear for their specific sport, follows the rules of the game, and receives proper training and conditioning. Encourage hydration, regular breaks, and good sportsmanship. Additionally, make sure your child’s coach and team are adhering to safety protocols and guidelines.
Symptoms of a concussion may include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, balance problems, or changes in mood or behavior. If your child has sustained a head injury and shows any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
If you suspect a concussion, remove your child from the activity immediately and seek medical evaluation. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for rest and gradual return to activities. Ensure your child avoids physical activity until cleared by a healthcare professional to prevent further injury.
Return to sports should only occur when your child has been cleared by a healthcare professional and is symptom-free. Follow a gradual return-to-play protocol, which typically involves a step-by-step process to reintroduce physical activity. Each step should be completed without recurrence of symptoms before progressing to the next.
Always supervise your child around water, including pools, lakes, and beaches. Ensure they wear appropriate flotation devices if needed and are taught basic swimming skills. Make sure any water recreational areas are equipped with safety features such as lifeguards and safety barriers.
Ensure your child is supervised during outdoor play. Use appropriate safety gear for activities such as knee pads and elbow pads for skateboarding or biking. Apply sunscreen to protect against sunburn, and make sure your child stays hydrated. Check play equipment regularly for safety and ensure your child plays in a safe environment.
Make sure playground equipment is age-appropriate for your child. Supervise your child to prevent risky behavior such as climbing on unsafe structures or pushing other children. Ensure the playground has a soft surface like mulch or rubber underneath to cushion falls. Regularly inspect equipment for damage and ensure it is maintained properly.