Hold off on new Fleet Peeples bathroom

Winter Park quick on repairs

Loud kudos to the city of Winter Park utilities and Bright House for prompt, careful and excellent clean-up and repair — amid pouring rain — of terrible electrical damage occurring from a falling tree limb bringing down three telephone poles of live wires and cables onto Sylvan Boulevard on Aug. 15.

—Louis Roney

Winter Park

Hold off on dog park additions

Here is the latest $100,000 budget line item for 2012 for Winter Park taxpayers: a new bathroom and lift station for our non-resident dog club at Fleet Peeples Park. Two years ago, the dog “friends” agreed to raise all funds for improvements to the park, starting with amenities for the on-leash section. They only raised $45,000 in the first couple months two years ago.

Before the city invests in a new bathroom at Fleet Peeples Park, there needs to be a neighborhood community meeting to decide the total future use of this 23-acre waterfront park, priorities for improvements, starting with structured parking near the boat dock and moving the fence so the general public can again use the large pavilion. Speak out. This is your park and your tax dollars.

—Nancy Shutts

Winter Park

Playing it safe

Every year, thousands of children sustain head injuries playing sports, in car and bicycle accidents, fights and even minor falls. Most childhood head injuries are not serious and affect only the outside of the head; however, children may experience a temporary loss of brain function, known as a concussion. Although some accidents can’t be avoided, simple safety precautions — and common sense — can go a long way in preventing concussions.

With the busy back-to-school season fast approaching, now is a great time for parents to discuss safety with their children.

At home – Childproofing your home is vital to keep young children safe from concussions. Toddlers, for instance, may pull themselves up using table legs or use dressers as jungle gyms, which can lead to a fall. Create a safe place to play and explore at home, and never leave a child unattended.

Enjoying activities – Be sure children wear properly fitting, appropriate headgear and safety equipment when biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, snowboarding or skiing, and playing contact sports.

On-the-go – If your child drives, remind them to be attentive at all times, and obey speed limits, signs, and safe-driving laws to reduce the chances of having an accident. Talk about the effects of drugs and alcohol, which slow reaction time and impair judgment, making teens much more likely to have an accident. Teens also should never text while driving.

Signs of a concussion

Anyone who sustains a head injury should stop participating and be removed from the activity or sport. Even without a loss of consciousness, it’s important to watch for these symptoms of a concussion. Concussion symptoms may not appear initially and can develop up to 72 hours after the initial injury:

• A change in level of alertness, feeling confused or dazed

• Sleepiness or difficulty falling asleep

• A bad headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness or difficulty with coordination and/or balance

• Blurred vision

• Slurred speech or saying things that don’t make sense

• Feeling anxious or irritable for no apparent reason

• Convulsions or seizures

The severity of a concussion is determined by how long symptoms last and is only known after someone has recovered. The longer the symptoms of changes in brain function continue, the more severe the concussion. Kids who sustain concussions usually recover within a week or two without lasting health problems, but some children with more severe concussions can be at risk for brain damage and even disability.

Treating concussions

After a concussion, the brain needs time to heal. While your child has symptoms, he or she should not:

• Attend school or have a normal workload

• Take any high-stakes testing (for example, state testing or SATs)

• Participate in physical activity including gym class, recess and sports

• Participate in wheel activities (for example, biking, rollerblading or skateboarding)

• Drive or operate heavy machinery

• Return to work

Some children will report feeling better even though their thinking, behavior and/or balance have not yet returned to normal. It’s important for parents to wait until all symptoms have ended and your doctor has given the OK before resuming normal activities.

For information on preventing and treating concussions, please visit www.KidsHealth.org

—Dr. Lisa Barkley

Nemours Children’s Clinic, Orlando