The office of Dr. Christopher B. Lin and Dr. Kenson Lo is located in Mission Viejo. They are a family oriented pediatric office that believes in providing complete care to their patients and families. With dedication, determination, and compassion, Dr. Lin and Dr. Lo will do everything in the child's best interest.

Dr. Lin and Dr. Lo believe that SCIPP is an "integral part of service for children. As pediatricians, you want to prevent children from getting sick and injured." SCIPP brochures are distributed during physical exams or parents can ask for brochures in the waiting room. Dr. Lin and Lo believe in promoting health and safety to all their patients.

WHAT CAN SCIPP DO FOR YOU:

• Help save time on counseling
• Provide car seat information
• Supply you with free injury prevention materials and resources
• Conduct injury prevention presentations for your staff

To become a SCIPP site, please contact Annelee Gallegos at 949-752-2787 or via email at amgallegos@sbcglobal.net. If you are already a SCIPP site, consider becoming a Connected Kids provider, Dr. Lin and Lo did! As a Connected Kids provider you can address violence prevention issues as well.

Groundbreaking research has documented the increased protection of children in the rear facing position. According to an article published in the December issue of Injury Prevention, "during the second year of life, children are five times less likely to die or sustain serious injuries when they ride in rear-facing car seats compared to forward-facing car seats." This research applies to all types of crashes including side impact, which are typically the most severe.

"This is the most exciting and significant research to emerge regarding car seat safety in recent years," Dr. Bull said, co-author and member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pediatricians should recommend to families that convertible car safety seats continue to be used rear-facing until the child weighs 30 to 35 pounds.

An article published in the February 15, 2008 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describes an activity called "The Choking Game", which has led to the death of at least 82 children and adolescents since 1995. Researchers from CDC's Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention analyzed media reports of deaths of children and adolescents from the choking game. Highlights from their findings address some common questions about this public health threat.

Effective January 1, 2008, California's Health and Safety Code 118947, prohibits smoking in cars carrying minors (children under 18 years old). The passage of this new law provides us with an opportunity to remind and educate parents about the consequences of tobacco exposure on young lungs.

Pediatricians are all too familiar with the consequences children can suffer from exposure to secondhand smoke: sudden infant death syndrome; earaches; asthma attacks; bronchitis; and pneumonia, just to name a few. The U.S. Surgeon General states there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, and the California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board names secondhand smoke as a toxic air contaminant.

The best scenario is for children to have adults around them who don't smoke. Orange County residents who would like help quitting smoking can call 1-866-New-Lung (639-5864). Non-Orange County residents in California can contact the California Smokers' Helpline for a free quitting plan at 1-800-NO-BUTTS or 1-800-45-NO-FUME (Spanish).

Please help make parents and caregivers aware of this new law to protect children from exposure to secondhand smoke. Contact Cynthia Schafer at 714-824-2521 with questions regarding this law or other tobacco related subjects.

Unintentional injuries cause most childhood deaths. Parents/care providers may not know when someone in their family, or the children they care for, will face a life-threatening emergency and need immediate care. If parents/care providers are prepared, they can make a difference and help children survive a life-threatening event, such as choking or serious bleeding.

The American Red Cross strongly advocates that everyone complete CPR and first aid training so that they have the skills and knowledge to respond in an emergency. With training, parents/care providers will learn who to call and how to give first aid and CPR until emergency medical help arrives. The ability to respond may help save the lives of children they love.