Contact us with any questions or to schedule an appointment for your child.
Many parents, especially first-time parents, experience anxiety while welcoming a new baby into the world. We often receive questions at Shults Pediatrics like:
- How do I keep my baby safe during the first year of life?
- What’s the best car seat to buy?
- Should I keep a carbon monoxide detector in the nursery?
- What should I do if my baby starts choking?
Luckily for new parents, not only can you depend on the staff at Shults Pediatrics, but September is the official National Baby Safety Awareness Month, meaning there are many parents out there looking for answers as well. You aren’t alone, and there’s comfort in knowing you’re learning together.
In this article we’ve included some safety tips, reminders, and local resources to help you keep your little ones safe.
Car Seat Safety
Children in Tennessee must be secured in a child restraint when riding in an automobile from birth to nine years of age. Installing and using a car seat or booster can be intimidating.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s car seat, the Knoxville Police Department hosts monthly Child Safety Seat Checkpoints at 917 E. Fifth Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In addition to hosting a checkpoint on the second Saturday of every month, a checkpoint will now also be offered on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
The Child Safety Seat Checkpoints are a completely free-of-charge service offered by the KPD for parents, grandparents, or other guardians. During the checkpoint, child car seats are inspected by a certified car seat technician to ensure proper use or installation. Additionally, car seat technicians provide valuable safety tips and recommendations for those utilizing child safety seats. The checkpoints are led by KPD personnel who have completed the 32-hour Child Passenger Safety Technician Standardized Training.
Drive-ups are welcome for the checkpoints hosted on Saturdays, but checks will be conducted by appointment-only on Tuesdays.
For more information or to make an appointment, call (865) 215-1300 or email: carseatcheckpoint@knoxvilletn.gov
A list of upcoming Child Safety Seat Checkpoint dates and times can be found below:
Saturday, October 8, 2022 – 10 am – 1 pm
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 – 5 pm – 8 pm (appointment only)
Saturday, November 12, 2022 – 10 am – 1 pm
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 – 5 pm – 8 pm (appointment only)
December 10, 2022 – 10 am – 1 pm
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 – 5 pm – 8 pm (appointment only)
Click here for more info on Child Safety Seat Rules
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke detectors are only effective if they are functioning when needed. Remembering to check them regularly can be something easily forgotten or overlooked. One trick we suggest to keep things simple is to check twice a year when the time changes, so the fall and spring time. The next time change will be here in October, so mark you calendars!
For residents of the City of Knoxville:
“The City of Knoxville Fire Department recognizes working smoke alarms save lives; therefore, it created the Smoke Alarm Program. This program provides smoke alarms and replacement batteries free of charge to residents of single-family dwellings who cannot afford to purchase them or who are unable to perform these tasks safely.
Residents living in rental properties or condominiums should contact their landlord or property owner’s association for smoke alarms and/or batteries.
Each engine company will install smoke alarms and batteries in residences within its primary
response territory. This will ensure the alarms are properly installed and residents understand how to perform monthly tests.
For more information on receiving or replacing smoke alarms (or to obtain battery replacements), please call 3-1-1 or (865) 215-4311 during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm) or email: smokealarm@knoxvilletn.gov.
Knox County residents (outside city limits) are serviced by Rural Metro. Please visit their website for information on membership and services, and to see if your home is their service area.
The state of Tennessee also participates in “Get Alarmed, TN!,” a grant-funded fire safety education and smoke alarm installation program administered by the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). Launched in November 2012, the program distributes fire safety education and 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms to participating fire departments. The fire departments then deliver the education and install smoke alarms in at-risk homes across the state. Visit here for more information.
CPR
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) refers to a procedure performed when the heart stops beating and can literally be the difference between life and death.
Who can benefit from CPR courses? Parents, elderly caregivers, co-workers, healthcare workers, teachers, babysitters- in a nutshell, everyone.
We are so fortunate to have East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH) in our community. They offer classes in CPR and a program called Safe Sitter. Check their website for the calendar.
The American Red Cross is another valuable resource. They conveniently offer online courses so you can complete them at your own speed. The American Heart Association’s (AHA) website has more information on CPR and locator tool to find courses near you as well.
In Conclusion
We hope that these tips and resources will help you breathe a little easier as a new (or even experienced) parent. Our mission at Shults Pediatrics is to provide state of the art medicine with a caring touch in an environment where patient care is first and foremost, including your child.
Give us a call at (865) 670-1560 if you ever have any questions or concerns.