Spring and summer are almost here. That means your children will be spending more time outside riding bicycles, in-line skating and playing sports. That's a good thing. What's not so good is that some of them will end up making unexpected trips to the Emergency Room (ER) for sprains, strains, deep cuts and broken bones.

If your child needs emergency care, staff at the Pediatric ER at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center can help. Our Pediatric ER is the only facility along the Western Beltway and in the north Las Vegas area dedicated to providing emergency services to kids.

"There has been a tremendous response from the community since the Pediatric ER opened in August 2005," says Audra Somes, RN, BSN, Clinical Supervisor of Summerlin Hospital's Pediatric ER. "Kids, and their parents, seem to feel more comfortable when they receive care from specialists who are trained to handle kids' needs."

The Pediatric ER is a four-bed unit that has the capacity to expand to 16 beds. Pediatricians on staff are board certified in emergency medicine, and pediatric ER nurses provide advanced emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week in a kid- and family-friendly environment.

"A trip to the ER can be scary for kids and their parents," Somes says. "We do all we can to put families at ease while we give kids the medical attention they need. We also reassure parents that kids are resilient. Most of them heal very quickly."

Tips to Help Your Children Avoid Trips to the ER

• Teach your children to wash their hands thoroughly and often. It's one of the best ways to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
• Make sure your children use appropriate protective gear. Kids should wear helmets when riding bikes or scooters and playing certain sports, including football, hockey and lacrosse. Insist on kids wearing pads, mouth guards and other protective gear recommended for each sport.
• Have your children drink plenty of fluids. By the time they're thirsty, kids may be partially dehydrated.
• Have your kids dress appropriately for outside play. Kids are more likely to overdress and become overheated when the seasons change and the temperatures fluctuate daily.
• Teach your children the basics of water safety. Never leave young children alone near water. Make sure older kids never swim alone.
• Keep small children away from open windows. Screens are designed to keep insects out, not children in.

For more information about Summerlin Hospital's Pediatric ER, please visit www.summerlinhospital.org.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106