• Water safety starts with one easy rule - learn to swim.  Take lessons offered by a registered lifeguard or instructor at your local pool.  Remember, always swim in supervised areas always and with a buddy.  Obey all rules and signs.  Don’t mix alcohol and drugs with swimming.  This can affect your coordination and impair your judgment and balance.  Also, avoid swimming in bad weather.

• Boating safety should be followed whether you are the captain of a large yacht or a small dingy.  Check the weather forecast.  Sudden shifts in wind, lightning flashes and choppy water all can mean a storm is coming.  If possible, carry a portable or marine radio.  Always carry extra gear that you may need in an emergency including food, water, flashlight, batteries, matches, flares, sun screen and a first aid kit.  Keep a watertight pouch accessible for storage.  Remember to tell someone where you are going and how long you will be gone.  Don’t drink and boat.  Boating while intoxicated is dangerous to you and other boaters around you.

• Sun safety is more than just protecting yourself from sunburn.  Remember to always drink plenty of fluids and take breaks often when working or playing in the hot weather.  Dress appropriately, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing.  Hats and umbrellas are also a good idea.  Sun tan lotion is a must for protection against the suns harmful rays and to help prevent skin cancer.

• Hiking and camping offers a way to enjoy the great outdoors through our national parks and forests.  Make sure you review all equipment, supplies and skills you will need on your adventure.  If your trip involves strenuous activity, make sure you are in good physical condition before setting out.  Always hike or camp with a group and avoid restricted areas.  Tell someone where you are going, your itinerary and include important information such as the make, year and license plate number of your car.

Rehabilitation: Scissor Activities

Halloween can also be a time for children to explore arts and crafts.  When scissors are held correctly and fit a child's hand well, cutting activities will exercise the same muscles needed to manipulate a pencil in a mature tripod grasp.  The correct scissor position is with the thumb and middle finger in the handles of the scissors, the index finger on the outside of the handle to stabilize, with fingers four and five curled into the palm.

Some activities for practice:

• Cutting up junk mail

• Making fringe on the edge of a piece of construction paper

• Cutting playdough

• Cutting straws or shredded paper

• Cutting out large pictures from a coloring book

For more information, call Good Samaritan's Rehabilitation Services at (631) 376-4444.

Medically Complex Children's Center

Some children, because of an accident, illness or congenital disorder, have been left in stable condition but dependent on life-sustaining medications, treatments and equipment.  These medically complex children often need assistance with activities of daily living.  Good Samaritan’s Medically Complex Children’s Center coordinates the services required in situations such as these.

In this outpatient program, a physician completes a thorough evaluation of the pediatric patient and family to coordinate services with the primary physician and/or specialists.  A care management plan is formulated to include any additional evaluation or treatment the child may need.  The specialized care provided by the Medically Complex Children’s Center for pediatric patients with specific needs is a unique service in the region.

Children who may benefit from the services offered include but are not limited to those with:

• Multiple chronic medical conditions requiring coordination of medical care and/or social work services.
• Medical technology dependence such as:
  • Apnea monitors
  • Pulse oximeter
  • End-tidal CO² monitors
  • CPAP or BIPAP ventilation
  • Tracheotomy
  • Cough-assist device
  • Mechanical ventilators
  • Gastrostomy or nasogastric tube feeding

For information on any of these services, please call (631) 376-4444 or visit www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.

Useful Links:

American Academy of Pediatrics

Center for Pediatric Specialty Care

Good Samaritan Department of Pediatrics

Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Department