As summer winds down and school approaches, beach bags give way to book bags. According to emergency medicine physicians across the nation, parents should use this transition as an opportunity to review their child’s health information, schedule necessary medical visits, and prepare for potential emergencies.
“We all know about reading, writing and arithmetic. Let’s consider adding a fourth ‘R’ for parents – establishing routine healthy behaviors,” explained Paul Kivela, MD, MBA, FACEP, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). “Now is the perfect time to catch up on doctor visits and update your child’s health information. Taking these actions, before an emergency occurs, can help avoid a trip to the ER and possibly save your child’s life.”
Parents should consider the following preparations before the school year begins:
- Compile your child’s medical history and emergency contact information in one place.
- Complete and distribute a consent-to-treat form to your school nurse and any childcare providers. This document should include prescription medications, medical conditions, surgical history, and relevant family medical background. Update all emergency contact details as needed. Free templates are available at http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/Be-Prepared/Organize-Your-Important-Medical-Information/.
- Collaborate with your school nurse and healthcare providers to create management plans for conditions like asthma or food allergies. Confirm that your child has been evaluated for allergies and that all required vaccines and immunizations are up to date.
- Arrange medical and dental appointments before school begins or at the earliest opportunity. Beyond a standard physical, include vision and hearing evaluations, as these can impact academic performance. If your child plays sports, schedule a sports physical as well.
- If your child will walk or take the bus to school, walk the route together and identify potential traffic hazards or other risks. For bus riders, establish a safe, easily identifiable pickup and drop-off location, ideally with other children present.
- For children who drive to school, reinforce the importance of following traffic laws and wearing seatbelts at all times. Remind them never to text while driving.
- Teach your child how to contact emergency services. Post emergency numbers near every phone in your home. Help your child understand when to call 911 and practice providing their name, address, and a brief description of the situation.
Heavy backpacks can cause back and shoulder problems, so monitor weight carefully. Packing nutritious meals supports healthy eating habits that can prevent childhood obesity and related health complications. Additionally, maintaining a regular sleep schedule—particularly important for teenagers—contributes to overall wellness.
Additional health and safety information can be found at www.emergencycareforyou.org.
ACEP represents emergency physicians nationwide and works to improve emergency care through education, research, and public awareness initiatives. Based in Dallas, Texas, the organization includes 53 chapters covering all states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, plus a Government Services Chapter for military and government emergency physicians.