Anticipate Hazards, Health Experts Urge After 2 Babies Die

A baby found entangled in a plastic bag inadvertently left in his crib has died from lack of oxygen to the brain, authorities said Friday.

The death of the 4-month-old boy on Thursday came only four days after another Orange County baby died of injuries suffered when she got tangled in a dangling Venetian blind cord.

The two deaths were especially tragic, medical authorities said, because they were preventable.

Experts say the recent deaths should serve as a warning to parents that such a tragedy could happen to anyone and should underscore the need to continually scrutinize children’s surroundings.

“It’s their job as children to explore the world and learn about it,” said Mary Marlin, a community education manager at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. “It’s our job as adults to be responsible and remove all those potentially dangerous objects.”

Marlin, who coordinates CHOC programs promoting childhood safety, points out that preventing access to such common household items as bags and small toys is one of the most important things a parent can do.

“First prevent any such accidents from happening by clearing your child’s area,” Marlin said. “Then, learn CPR. Our brains only live four to six minutes without oxygen, and quick action saves lives.”

A family friend and sheriff’s deputy performed CPR on 4-month-old Miguel Campos Wednesday, after he was discovered unconscious with a plastic trash bag in his crib, officials said. The trash bag contained dirty laundry and was inadvertently placed on the crib, according to family members. The baby died at CHOC the next day.

On Sunday, 16-month-old Victoria Neff died after crawling on top of a toy box, reaching up and becoming entangled in the cords of the Venetian blinds in her mother’s apartment, officials said.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, asphyxiation, strangulation and choking were responsible last year for 40% of all accident-related deaths for American children younger than a year old. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between 1 and 4 years.

Officials at the Orange County coroner’s office last year recorded three infant deaths caused by choking on objects--a balloon, a pinto bean and a rubber ball.

“Here at Children’s Hospital, we don’t give out balloons, because they can become stuck in children’s throats,” Marlin said. “And the most dangerous shape we warn parents about are those objects that are circular, since they can block airway passages.”

Kathy Hinoki, a clinical nurse specialist at CHOC, educates new parents before their children leave the hospital.

“The most important thing is to never leave their child unattended,” Hinoki said. “That phone call can wait. Also, I warn them to check their children’s surroundings before setting them down anywhere.”

One of the best ways to make sure dangerous objects are out of the child’s reach, Marlin said, is to look at the room from the child’s point of view.

“I tell parents to get on their hands and knees to see everything from the perspective of the child,” Marlin said. “It’s very different, and it helps them identify the potentially dangerous objects.”

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Child Protection Accidents at home often occur because parents are unaware of a child’s continually changing skill level. To create a protective environment, learn what your child is physically capable of achieving. Other safety tips: * Use a car seat every time a child under 4 years and 40 pounds is in car; always make children wear seat belts. * Do not leave child alone in high places, such as a changing table or chair. * Use gates to prevent child from reaching unsupervised areas or stairways. * Do not store plastic bags within reach of children. * Never leave small objects within child’s reach, even for a moment. * Move out of child’s reach any electrical and other cords, such as from drapes and window blinds, that may pose a hazard. * Do not leave child alone in or near a bathtub, pail of water, wading or swimming pool. * Lock doors leading to dangerous areas; some locks may have to be moved out of child’s reach. * Never shake a child; it may cause bleeding or bruising of the brain, broken bones and dislocations. *

IN CASE OF ... Poisoning: Call the Poison Center, 1 (800) 777-6476, immediately. Have syrup of ipecac on hand to induce vomiting, but use it only if told to do so. Fall: Watch child closely for loss of consciousness, sleepiness, abnormal movements or vomiting. If any of these signs show up, contact your doctor. Burn: Put cold water on the burned area immediately; cover loosely with a bandage or clean cloth. Call doctor for all but minor burns. Source: County of Orange Social Services Agency; Researched by APRIL JACKSON / Los Angeles Times