News

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.

News

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

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Back to School Month

National Breastfeeding Month

Weeks of Recognition

August 6 – 12 is Exercise with Your Child Week

Days of Recognition

August 1 is National Night Out (NNO)

August 9 is National Book Lovers Day

August 15 is National Back To School Prep Day

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day

News

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:

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.

News

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.

News

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.

News

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 InclusionPart 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.

News

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.

News

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,
    • 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. 

News

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

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

    • 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.

Additional Resources

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.

News

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.