Current Events in May 2006

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Health Experts Step Up Trampoline Warnings

Bouncing up and down on a backyard trampoline may seem to personify the joy and freedom of summer. But bouncing can lead to big trouble for kids if proper safety precautions aren't taken.

"Bouncing on a trampoline is a lot of fun for kids," says Marie M. Lozon, M.D., director of Children's Emergency Services at the University of Michigan Health System.

"But over the past 10 to 15 years, we've seen a significant increase in trampoline injuries, ranging from horribly broken legs to ankle sprains, or in some cases, serious head and spine injuries. And kids age 15 and under account for nearly two-thirds of all trampoline injuries."

While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that trampolines never be used at home, school or on outdoor playgrounds, Lozon and other experts recognize that many families with children will continue to allow the recreational use of trampolines at home.

To keep those children and teens safely bouncing this summer, Lozon offers some tips to help prevent injury while using a trampoline.

Lozon's 7 tips for safe trampoline fun for kids and teens:

• Don't forget mom and dad. Lozon says that adult supervision is the most important safety measure for trampolines. "Children will come up with very imaginative and create ways to injury themselves on trampolines, so constant supervision is a must," she notes.

• One jumper at a time. Multiple jumpers can multiply the risk for injury. Children doing flips and other stunts have an increased likelihood of colliding with others too, causing serious injury, she says.

• Age matters. Children under the age of 6 should not be allowed on trampolines. Lozon notes that several expert panels have determined that children 6 years or older may be safer on trampolines.

• Leave the gymnastics to the professionals. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Counsel cautions against doing somersaults on trampolines because landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis.

• Location, location, location. Lozon cautions to never place trampolines on concrete or near power lines, trees or any other obstacle that could come into contact with a bouncing child.

• Use a safety net. Trampoline enclosures can help prevent injuries from falls.

• Pad it for protection. "Other ways to make trampoline use more safe is to cover the springs, hooks and frame that suspend the mat of the trampoline with a soft material, or completely cover them with a mat around the edge to avoid injury," says Lozon.

"A lot of people say well gosh, I don't want to have a backyard trampoline, but isn't there any way my kid could participate?' Well, there are opportunities that include adult supervision and appropriate spotters in athletic environments, such as gymnastics training or diving training, where a lot of fun can be had," recommends Lozon.

Not convinced that trampoline safety should be taken seriously? Here are some of the top injuries that can occur when proper safety measures aren't taken when using a trampoline.

Common trampoline injuries:

• Sprains and strains of the ankles, feet, wrists and arms
• Broken ankles, legs or arms
• Minor head injuries
• In some cases, broken necks, spinal cord injuries and disabling head traumas occur, which could result in permanent paralysis

Causes of trampoline injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
• Colliding with another person on the trampoline
• Landing improperly while jumping or doing stunts
• Falling or jumping off the trampoline
• Falling on the trampoline springs or frame

Bouncing up and down on backyard trampoline may seem to personify the joy and freedom of summer but it can lead to big trouble for kids if proper safety pr...

05/01/2006

By Unknown Author

Aetna Loses Laptop Containing Customer Data

An employee of health insurance giant Aetna lost a laptop containing data on 38,000 customers, the company said.

The information included names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, but no financial information. The individuals were employees of companies who bought group health coverage from Aetna. The companies asked not to be identified.

Aetna spokesperson Cynthia Michener declined to verify where the theft took place, or if any of the information had been used.

In a subsequent statement, Aetna CEO Ronald Michener claimed the laptop had been secured with "strong password protection," and that the employee responsible "did not follow corporate policies."

"We have offered to pay for credit monitoring services for our affected members to help prevent any potential misuse of the information, and we are contacting each affected individual directly with information on how to access this service," Michener said.

The Aetna CEO also claimed that the company would be augmenting its data security structure to ensure all their employees followed proper procedure in the future.

Michener also said that Aetna was contacting all affected individuals, and would be offering them free credit monitoring for an unspecified period of time, to ensure they were protected from possible fraud or identity theft.

The theft or loss of laptops has been the latest trend in data breaches, with over 500,000 individuals potentially affected as a result of laptops being stolen or misplaced in the last six months. Companies affected have included Hewlett-Packard, Verizon, Ameriprise, and Ford.

The common thread in virtually all of these incidents is an employee or employees downloading confidential data onto laptops, and either leaving them physically vulnerable or failing to encrypt them.

Stealing laptops from vehicles in order to resell them has often led to customers' information being exposed.

Companies typically offer free credit monitoring to employees or consumers affected by data breaches, but many affected individuals often fail to utilize the service. Some don't follow the procedures necessary to sign up for it, while others are suspicious of providing more personal information to companies that have already jeopardized their customers' financial privacy.

Aetna Loses Laptop Containing Customer Data...