Advocate Louis Hampers, MD is a pediatrician who wants to make a difference. This doctor is devoted to making positive changes in health care system in America. He has worked in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Colorado and New Hampshire. This has allowed him to take a comprehensive look at medical care in this country.
As a pediatrician, Louis Hampers, MD is very interested in improving healthcare for children. He works tirelessly to see to it that children get better care during emergency situations. Louis has looked into ways physicians can upgrade this type of care. He is also interested in preventing dog bites in children.
About Dog Bites
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), dogs bite nearly 4.5 million people each year. Nearly one fifth of those people receive medical attention for their dog bite injuries. In 2006, nearly 31,000 people had reconstructive surgery to repair those injuries.
The CDC reports that children between the ages of 5 and 9 are the most vulnerable. They need medical treatment for dog bites more often than adults. Children who have a pet dog are at an increased risk for dog bites. The risk is even higher for children who have more than one dog.
Preventing Dog Bites
Health experts like Louis Hampers, MD stress that dog bites are preventable. Parents and children need to know what precautions to take. Here are some things you should do before bringing a dog into your home:
• Talk to a veterinarian about which breeds would best fit in with your family.
• Avoid pets that are aggressive because they can cause harm to children.
• Do not adopt a dog if your child is afraid of them.
• Get to know a dog before adopting or buying it.
• Keep close tabs on a dog that is in a home with an infant.
Louis Hampers, MD: Child Safety Tips
You can also teach your children how to avoid dog bites. Review the safety tips regularly. Here are some things you can do:
• Teach your children not to approach dogs they don’t know.
• Children should stand still if a dog they don’t know approaches them.
• Don’t make direct eye contact with a dog.
• Don’t approach a dog that is caring for puppies, eating, or sleeping.
• Let a dog see and sniff you before you pet it.
• Never run from a dog
• Report strays and dogs that are acting strangely to an adult.
Louis Hampers, MD wants you to know that dog bites are a preventable health problem. Experts like Louis Hampers, MD recommend spaying or neutering a dog before bringing it home. This can help curb aggressive behavior. Don’t play aggressively with your dog. Professionals like Louis Hampers, MD say never leave infants and small children alone with dogs.
