March 28, 2024 March 2024 Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of March 2024 recalls collected from the following major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to stop using Tuladuo Water Bead sets and Jangostor Water Beads. The CPSC warns of a chemical toxicity hazard, which is in violation of a federal ban of hazardous substances. Fisher-Price Little People Mickey and Friends Figures were recalled due to the heads of figures posing choking hazards to young children. Twenty Four Six Foods Happiness USA Roller Ball Candy was recalled. The candy’s rolling ball can dislodge from the product into a child’s mouth, posing a choking hazard. Fossil Group Bracelet sold with Skechers Jewelry Gift Sets were recalled due to high levels of lead and cadmium, which are toxic and can cause adverse health effects in children. Getallfun High-Powered Magnetic Ball sets were recalled due to ingestion hazard and failure to meet federal safety regulation for toy magnet sets. When swallowed, the magnets can become lodged in the digestive system. Jool Baby Infant Swings were recalled due to suffocation hazard in violation of federal safety regulations. High-Powered Magnetic Ball sets were recalled due to ingestion hazard in violation of federal safety regulations for toy magnet sets. TJX Children’s Brown Stretch Twill Pants sets were recalled due to choking hazard. Singles 3-in-1 High Chair and Booster Seats were recalled due to fall hazard in violation of federal safety regulations for high chairs and booster seats. Bubble Bear Crib Mattresses were recalled due to fire hazard for children in violation of federal safety regulations. The mattresses failed to meet flammability and labeling requirements. More Information For recall details, visit the links above or review the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websites.
July 27, 2023 Resources for August Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for August observances: Month-Long Observances Summer Sun Safety Month CDC Shares Sun Safety Tips for Schools, Trying Together Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance, Trying Together Summer Safety Brochure, Allegheny County Health Department, Trying Together Sun Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Be Safe in the Sun, American Cancer Society Sun Protection, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Sun Protection Tips for Those with Black and Brown Skin, Boston University Sun Safety and Prevention, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) August is National Immunization Awareness Month, Trying Together National Immunization Awareness Month, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommended Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Parent-Friendly Version, Birth through 6 Years, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccines for Your Children By Age, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Spanish / Español Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month National Center Releases Guide on Children’s Eye Health, Trying Together An Eye Health Information Tool Kit for Parents and Caregivers, National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health Eye Health and Safety for Kids, National Eye Institute (NEI) Get Free or Low-Cost Eye Care For Children, National Eye Institute (NEI) Eye Conditions and Diseases, National Eye Institute (NEI) Spanish / Español 6 Ways to Be Proactive About Your Child’s Eye Health, John Hopkins Medicine Keep an Eye on Your Child’s Vision, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources for Parents of Blind and Low-Vision Children, Library of Congress: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Parenting Without Sight: What Attorneys and Social Workers Should Know About Blindness, National Federation of the Blind How to Get Free Audio Books for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Braille Institute 25+ Children’s Books Featuring Visually Impaired Characters, WonderBaby Back to School Month Allegheny Child Care What is Allegheny Child Care? 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Information, Trying Together Top 10 Skills for Children Entering Kindergarten, Trying Together Your Child is Going to Kindergarten: Family Guide (ECLKC), Trying Together Kindergarten Transition: A Guide for Families, Trying Together National Breastfeeding Month Breastfeeding Resources, Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh, Trying Together Breastfeeding Classes August is National Breastfeeding Month: This is Our Why, U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) Lactation Support, Healthy Start Center for Urban Breastfeeding (HSCUB) Breastfeeding, Kids Plus Pediatrics Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle (PBBC) Breast Feeding Resources, Birth Doulas of Pittsburgh Weeks of Recognition August 6 – 12 is Exercise with Your Child Week Childhood Physical Health: Resources, Trying Together Play and Physical Activity Guide for Educators & Families, Trying Together Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families: The Importance of Exercise, Trying Together Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Trying Together Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators, Trying Together Physical Education Vocabulary for Kids, Trying Together Resources for Supporting Physical Activity, Nutrition, Play and More, Action for Healthy Kids Promoting the Physical Health of Boys (and Girls), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Days of Recognition August 1 is National Night Out (NNO) National Night Out Returns to Pittsburgh, Trying Together City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety About National Night Out National Night Out Resources August 9 is National Book Lovers Day Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List, Trying Together Toolkit: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success, Trying Together 2023 Virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, Trying Together Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Books to Celebrate Gender Expression, Inclusion, and Pride, Trying Together Children’s Books About Transitions, Trying Together Children’s Books About Mental Health, Trying Together Restaurants Add Books to the Menu with Summer Reading Programs, Trying Together August 15 is National Back To School Prep Day 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Information, Trying Together 101 Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Kids, Care.com Back-to-School Tips, HealthyChildren.org 10 Considerations Before Going Back to School as a Parent, Parents Magazine August 26 is Women’s Equality Day Family Guide: Gender and Gender Identity, Trying Together Women’s Equality Day, The National Women’s History Alliance Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) The Pittsburgh Women’s Alliance Women’s Issues Support Groups in Pittsburgh, Psychology Today The Women and Girls Foundation
June 13, 2023 Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators To better protect adults and children during air quality alerts, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and Environmental Health Capacity (EHC) Program are offering tips and training to help families and children stay healthy. About Air Quality Dangers & Alerts Current weather patterns are pushing smoke from wildfires in eastern Canada into communities across the Commonwealth, increasing the average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the air. Air quality can affect your health, especially people who may be at greater risk, including: people with heart disease people with lung disease (including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD]) older adults children and teenagers (because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their size) people who are pregnant people who work outdoors If you experience symptoms like trouble breathing or dizziness, you should seek medical attention. If you know a family member or neighbor who has one of the above conditions, remember to check in on them. Tips from DHS During air quality alerts, all Pennsylvanians should: avoid strenuous outdoor activities keep outdoor activities short consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them Additionally, to help keep particle pollution lower indoors during air quality alerts: don’t use candles or smoke indoors keep windows and doors closed use an air filter in your home, if you have one clean or replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations make your own portable air cleaner, if you don’t have one (the EPA offers DIY information on how to do so) Training from the EHC Program The EHC Program invites child care professionals to participate in a short nano learning course on air quality. About the EHC Program The EHC Program is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded program under the Division of Environmental Health Epidemiology (DEHE) with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. EHC seeks to provide outreach and education on topics related to children’s environmental health. About the Learning Course on Air Quality The nano learning course should take a few minutes minutes to complete and provides an overview of what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) is, why it is important, and how it can be included in your classroom plans and activities. After completing the training, please complete a survey to inform future outreach efforts to childcare providers. The survey is a total of four questions. If you have comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the EHC Program at dehe@pa.gov. Access the Learning Course on Air Quality Interested ECE educators can access the EHC Program learning course on air quality on YouTube. Resources to Support the Course Resources to support the learning course include: Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution Air Quality Guide for Ozone Air Quality and Outdoor Activity Guidance for Schools What Color is Your Air Today? Activity Sheet Air Quality Activity Coloring Sheet Why is Coco Orange book Learn More Visit www.airnow.gov to find the latest air quality levels and recommendations for your location. To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key Tips or Pennsylvania Key Training webpages.
June 7, 2023 Organizations Publish New Child Safety and Development Resources for Families and Educators Sesame Workshop and Trying Together have recently published new child development or safety resources for parents, caregivers, teachers, policy makers, and child care providers. Find a list of these resources below. Recently Published Resources on Child Development & Safety School Readiness: Simple Ways to Lay the Foundation for Learning – Sesame Workshop In an effort to bridge the gap between home and school and to help children feel safe and secure in the classroom, Sesame Workshop has curated a list of articles, activities, videos, and more. This guide can help children learn to celebrate classroom communities and support families as they get ready for school and life with their children. Access the interactive guide on the Sesame Workshop website. Lead Remediation Resources for Child Care Providers – Trying Together In November 2021, the city of Pittsburgh adopted a lead safety ordinance that aims to prevent potential lead exposure in young children. Recognizing the significant health and developmental concerns linked to lead exposure in young children and the potential financial cost for providers, Trying Together compiled a list of lead remediation resources for child care programs. Access the list on the Trying Together website. Learn More To learn more, visit the Sesame Workshop and Trying Together websites.
June 5, 2023 Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance The Allegheny County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) and Department of Health (ACDOH) have published a Summer Safety Guide and Video to help families implement protective practices in the coming months. About the Summer Safety Guide and Video Warmer, sunny days encourage adults and children to get out and enjoy their surroundings. The Summer Safety Guide and Video offer some simple tips that make summer more fun and safe. These resources include information on: basic safety car safety sun safety bug bites and stings safety on wheels (bikes, skateboards, in-line skates, motorcycles, etc.) play safety campfires, grills, and fireworks fire safety water safety open windows/doors chemical/poison safety Access the Summer Safety Guide and Video Access the Summer Safety Guide Access the Summer Safety Video Learn More To learn more, visit the ACDHS website.
October 12, 2021 New Resources for Parents and Caregivers New resources have been added to the Trying Together website for families and caregivers. These resources further Trying Together’s mission to supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. New Resources DAP Series Parts VII, VIII, and IX As an early childhood nonprofit, Trying Together recognizes that a child’s parent is their first and most important caregiver. That’s why we created the Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Series to assist parents and caregivers in creating high-quality learning experiences at the earliest stages of their child’s life. The series features digital and print content that provides information on critical early childhood topics. New topics in the DAP Series include Part VII: Childhood Mental Health; Part VIII: Race and Equity; and Part IX: Transitions & Routines. Families and caregivers may also access previous parts of the DAP Series: Part I: Developmentally Appropriate Practice; Part II: Childhood Physical Health; Part III: Child Care; Part IV: Early Intervention and Inclusion; Part V: Safety and Emergencies; and Part VI: Social-Emotional Development. Resources will continue to be added through 2022 as additional Parts are finalized. Additionally, families and caregivers may now request a set of cards in the mail at no cost. These cards provide an overview of each part of the DAP series with a quick reference to local and regional organizations. Parenting Together Pathway The Parenting Together Pathway is a video-based learning series to provide high-quality information on early childhood development to parents and caregivers in Allegheny County and surrounding areas. Launched in April 2021, the Parenting Together Pathway provides families the opportunity to learn more about: brain development; play; interactions and relationships; technology; child care; and advocacy to better support their children’s healthy growth. Two additional videos have been added to the Parenting Together Pathway: Early Intervention and Safety and Emergencies.
September 22, 2021 Ask a Health Care Provider Join the Pittsburgh Learning Collaborative and the Pittsburgh Community Vaccine Collaborative for an evening with medical professionals to discuss back-to-school questions surrounding COVID-19 safety, mitigation, and vaccines. More Information The presentation will be multilingual in Spanish, French, Russian, Swahili, Arabic, and English. If you need a different language/interpreter please email Dr. Kait Brennan at kaitlynbrennan88@gmail.com who can assist with accommodations. To register for this virtual event, please complete the online registration form.
December 16, 2020 Safe and Healthy Homes Program in Allegheny County Would you like to receive a free visual inspection of your home to check for potential health or safety hazards? Apply for the Allegheny County Health Department’s Safe and Healthy Homes Program! About The Allegheny County Health Department’s Safe and Healthy Homes (SHHP) Program provides free in-home health and safety assessments to qualified participants in Allegheny County, as well as Beaver, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. The purpose of this program is to reduce hospitalizations, injuries, illnesses, or deaths from preventable home health or safety hazards. The program will include a free visual inspection for potential dangers in the home such as asthma triggers, allergens, mold, moisture, inadequate ventilation, lead-based paint, pest infestations, fall hazards, and child safety hazards. The program will also offer educational materials, information on follow-up medical care if threats to health are identified, and referrals to community organizations that can offer further assistance. Eligibility To qualify, households must: include at least one pregnant woman or a child/dependent under the age of 22, meet applicable income limits, and live in Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, or Westmoreland counties. Application To apply, complete the online application. Individuals may also apply by calling 412.350.4048. More Information For more information, visit the Allegheny County Health Department website. A Healthy Homes Maintenance Checklist is also available. Share this brochure with your network. Information provided by the Allegheny County Health Department.
October 7, 2020 Update: COVID-19 Child Care Operations On September 29, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) issued an announcement to provide certified child care facilities with interim guidance for operating a facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. This announcement replaces C-20-06-Revised. About The announcement includes guidance on a range of health and safety considerations. Early learning professionals can review the guidance document in its entirety online. For examples of this guidance, continue reading below. Reopening The CDC developed a decision tool to assist in operating and reopening decisions. Providers should review and plan for the implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines before reopening. It is suggested that child care providers develop and publicly post their implementation strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and inform parents of new procedures. Practices, Policies, and Procedures Implement drop-off and arrival procedures: post signage to maintain social distancing; encourage the same designated person to drop off and pick up the child every day; set up hand hygiene stations; keep hand sanitizer out of children’s reach and supervise use; stagger arrival and pick up times; transport infants in their car seats; etc. Implement daily screening procedures: conduct a screening of any person entering the building; do not allow people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are showing symptoms to enter the building; ask caregivers to take their child’s temperature before coming to the facility and check their temperature again upon arrival; maintain at least six feet of distance from the parent and child; ask the child’s caregiver if any symptoms are present; put on disposable gloves; etc. Implement disinfecting and sanitation procedures: clean and sanitize toys; develop a schedule for routinely cleaning and disinfecting; keep cleaning materials out of the reach of children; don’t use products near children; ensure adequate ventilation; etc. Social Distancing in Child Care Settings If possible, child care classes should include the same group each day, and the same child care providers should remain with the same group each day. If your child care program remains open, consider creating a separate classroom or group for the children of healthcare workers and other first responders. Consider whether to alter or halt daily group activities that may promote transmission. Cancel or postpone special events such as festivals, holiday events, and special performances. Limit the mixing of children, such as staggering playground times and keeping groups separate for special activities such as art, music, and exercising. Keep each group of children in a separate room. If possible, at nap time, ensure that children’s naptime mats (or cribs) are spaced out as much as possible, ideally 6 feet apart. Consider placing children head to toe in order to further reduce the potential for viral spread. Face Coverings With the exception of children two years old and younger, all persons in a childcare facility are required to wear a face covering pursuant to the Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Order for Universal Face Coverings, unless one of the exceptions included in Section Three of the Order applies. If a child is outdoors and able to consistently maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from individuals who are not a part of their household, they do not need to wear a face covering. If a parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place a face covering safely on the child’s face, they should not do so. If a child two years old or older is unable to remove a face covering without assistance, the child is not required to wear one. If experiencing issues with getting younger children comfortable wearing face coverings and keeping them on, parents, guardians, licensed child care providers in community-based and school settings or responsible persons may consider prioritizing the wearing of face coverings to times when it is difficult for the child to maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from others who are not a part of their household (drop-off, pick-up, standing in line, etc.). Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Exposure The facility must develop a process to inform facility persons of possible exposure to a positive COVID-19 case. The operator shall inform parents of enrolled children when there is a suspected outbreak of a communicable disease or an outbreak of an unusual illness that represents a public health emergency in the opinion of the Department of Health. If the child is in care when the test results are confirmed positive, the child must be isolated until the appropriate party arrives to pick them up. The child’s parent must be notified as soon as possible. If a facility person or child tests positive for COVID-19, areas used by the person who tested positive must be closed for a period of 24 hours following the confirmed positive COVID-19 case of a child or facility person in attendance so that the facility can be cleaned and disinfected properly. Close contacts must self-quarantine. If a facility person, household member, or a child is exposed to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19, they shall self-quarantine for a period of 14 days based on the CDC guidance. Reporting If a facility person/child is a potential exposure AND has COVID-19 like symptoms, please report to the Department of Health or your local health department. The facility must report positive COVID-19 cases to the Department of Health. Facilities within the counties listed on page 13 of the announcement must report positive cases to their local health department, who will in turn report this information to the Department of Health. The facility must report positive COVID-19 cases and positive COVID-19 cases that result in death to their Department of Human Services (DHS) Certification Representative. Facilities must utilize the DHS Licensed Facility COVID Data Collection Tool. Timeline for Returning to Care Individuals with COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home: discontinue isolation after at least 24 hours have passed since recovery (defined as the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medication and the improvement of symptoms), AND at least 10 days after symptoms first appeared. Persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home: discontinue isolation after no less than 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test, provided no symptoms have developed during that 10-day period. Symptomatic child/facility persons who are not tested: exclude for 10 days from symptom onset AND at least 24 hours after fever resolution (if present) without the use of fever-reducing medication AND improved respiratory symptoms. Symptomatic child/facility persons determined by a health care provider to have an illness other than COVID-19: exclude until without a fever for 24 hours (if fever present) without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms improve. Symptomatic child/facility persons with test negative: exclude until without a fever for 24 hours (if fever present) without the use of fever-reducing medication AND improved respiratory symptoms. Follow the “discontinuing at-home isolation” guidance in the announcement for timelines on returning to the child care setting. Additional Resources DHS Provider Resources Pennsylvania Key Resources on COVID-19 Pennsylvania Businesses Selling Supplies More Information This information was provided by OCDEL. For questions or concerns, please contact the regional OCDEL office at 800.222.2149. For more information, read the full announcement.
October 5, 2020 Pittsburgh Welcomes Trick-or-Treating with Precautions On October 5, the City of Pittsburgh announced that it welcomes trick-or-treating this Halloween but urges residents to follow safety protocols to reduce risk and avoid the spread of COVID-19 in Pittsburgh communities. About The official trick-or-treating hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many behaviors will have to change this year to meet safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Residents are urged to: trick-or-treat only with family members; wear cloth facemasks, in addition to Halloween masks; carry and regularly use hand sanitizer; distribute candy by leaving it outside, and avoid in-person, face-to-face interactions at the door; follow social distancing guidelines (at least six feet from others) on sidewalks and when approaching homes where others are getting candy; and avoid indoor costume parties. Like any other year, motorists are asked to be especially vigilant on Halloween night, decrease speeds, and increase awareness of trick-or-treating children and families. Read the Full Release This information was provided by the City of Pittsburgh. To learn more, read the full press release.
