Unit 9 – An Overview of Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Unit 9 Seminar Topics  Choking, suffocation, strangulation  Drowning  Residential fire injuries  Firearm injuries FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Choking, Suffocation, Strangulation  Between 5,000 to 6,000 people of all ages suffocate, choke, or strangle to death annually.  90% are Children (65% of these are infants)  The elderly (over 70) are the next highest incident category FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Choking, Suffocation, Strangulation, and Drowning Choking: Blocking the airway internally by a foreign body or object Suffocation: Obstruction of the airway from an external object that blocks the nose and mouth Strangulation: External compression of the airway from an object FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

4 Types of Choking 1. Type 0: Everyone has experienced this type of choking—the sensation of something in the airway that is relieved by coughing. This situation is not life threatening, but potentially could be if the object becomes dislodged and aspirated. 2. Type 1: Obstruction is on the mouth side of the epiglottis (also known as the “lid” type because it may hold the epiglottis down over the larynx like a lid); it is life threatening. 3. Type 2: Obstruction is on the lung side of the epiglottis (also known as the “plug” type because the obstruction closes up the trachea like a plug). A reflex laryngospasm may complicate the situation; it is life threatening. 4. Type 3: Subacute choking—a foreign body or object resides in the bronch but is not life threatening FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Choking Ñ Choking-related episodes are highest for infants less than 1 year of age and decreased with age; the rate for boys and girls are similar. Ñ Of the 17,000 children treated in emergency departments—more than 100 visits occurred for every choking-related death—about 60 percent were treated for choking on a food substance, 30 percent were associated with nonfood objects including coins, and in about 10 percent the substance was unknown. Ñ Candy is associated with about 20 percent of all choking-related emergency department visits by children 14 years and younger. Of these cases, 65 percent were related to hard candy and about 12 percent were related to other specified types (e.g., chocolate candy, gummy candy, chewing gum); the type of candy is not always reported. Ñ Of those aged 14 and younger treated in an emergency department for choking, about 10 percent are admitted to the hospital. FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Choking  Number 1 is food. The following types should be avoided in children under 4: Hot dogs  Nuts and seeds  Chunks of meat or cheese  Whole grapes  Hard, gooey, or sticky candy  Popcorn  Chunks of peanut butter  Raw vegetables  Raisins  Chewing gum Parents need to be cognizant on what they feed their children. Education!!! FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Suffocation in Children 4 TYPES 1. Overlay : a person who is sleeping with a child rolls onto the child and unintentionally smothers the child. Researchers from the CPSC and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development report that infants sleeping in adult beds are 20 times more likely to suffocate than infants who sleep alone in cribs 2. Positional asphyxia: a child’s face becomes trapped in soft bedding or wedged in a small space, such as between a mattress and a wall or between couch cushions. FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Suffocation in Children 3. Covering of face or chest: an object covers a child’s face or compresses the chest, such as plastic bags, heavy blankets, pillows, comforters, sheets, or furniture. 4. Confinement: a child is trapped in an airtight place such as an unused refrigerator or freezer, coolers, or toy chest. Again, How do we impact this? Education!!! FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Strangulation Obviously, most strangulation deaths in toddlers are accidental.  Cribs  Blinds  Ribbons  Playground equipment  Heavy objects Prevention? Once again- Public Education FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Choking, Suffocation, and Strangulation Interventions  Education Counseling (educating) parents and caregivers about hazards Teaching the public how to manage a choking victim  Legislation and Product Modification FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Public Education  Education efforts have focused on two activities: counseling parents and caregivers about hazards and teaching the public how to manage a choking victim. Good Topic for a Public Safety Program! FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Drowning  Drowning: The process of experiencing respiratory impairment form submersion/immersion in liquid  Between 3,000 and 4,000 people drown annually making this a significant public safety concern. (5 th leading cause of injury death) FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Risk Factors  Age  Gender (Males)  Race  Swimming Ability  Drugs and Alcohol  Fatigue  Full Stomach (that’s right- Your mother was right) FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Drowning Interventions Drowning is a major cause of death, disability, and loss quality of life. Some of the reasons for drowning are due to:  Adult Supervision  Boating Safety Education  Alcohol Restriction  Lifeguards “Few drowning interventions have been properly evaluated. In fact, only isolation fencing of swimming pools have been well researched and proven effective”. Doll et. Al., 2006 FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions Personal Flotation Devices Pool Fencing Swimming Ability Resuscitation

Residential Fire Injuries  The US has one of the highest fire fatality rates in the developed world, and over 80% of these deaths occur in residential fires. More than 4,000 American die each year and more than 20,000 are injured.  Risk factors that should be considered and discussed when designing a risk reduction program. FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Risk Factors  Age (Young and Old)  Gender (Why?)  Socioeconomics  Alcohol  Smoking  Time of Day Generally the cause of death is smoke inhalation. FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Residential Fire Injuries  Interventions Public Education- Legislation Inspection- Building Design Product Design- Smoke Alarms Sprinklers- Escape Planning Extinguishers Fire statistics highlight the importance of smoke detectors, sprinkler systems and escape plans!! One again, education of the public and code development and enforcement! FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Firearm Injuries  Unintentional incidents resulted in 730 fatal deals in a recent year.  Risk factors include hunting activities and access in the residence. FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Firearm Injuries  Interventions Safe Storage Safer Firearms Child Access Prevention Education Hunters Clothing Color FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

Summary So, we can see there are many types of ways in which we lose people. The vast majority of these fatal injuries are preventable. The whole basis of this course is to learn about community risk reduction. The topics we discussed this evening are real issues. Any efforts to introduce risk reduction for these topics in your community are efforts well spent! We know the fire service has an advantage in spreading the word. We are subject matter experts! FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions

That’s’ It! I appreciate all your efforts and commitment in making this class a success and it has been my honor working with each of you! I wish you all the best and hope to see you down the road. Now go to work on reducing the risk in your communities!!! FS304:Unit 9 - Community Risk Reduction Interventions