I would imagine that the majority of people store their medications in the bathroom cabinet. While this has traditionally been the case, you really should re-think where you keep them. The bathroom experiences dramatic changes in temperature which adversely affect many medications, causing them to degrade before their expiration date. So see if you can find a better location to store them, hopefully out of reach and sight of your young children. While you’re moving them, check out the expiration dates to be sure that all your medications are still viable. Some things can become dangerous after sitting on the shelf for long after their expiration dates. If you have questions, ask your pharmacist for information.

“Many people store their medications in the bathroom, which can be the worst place to keep them. Heat and moisture cause medicines to degrade prior to their expiration date. Disposing of medication also requires care so that animals or other people are not able to get to the medication.”

Learn More Here: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/pages/Storing-Medicines-Safely.aspx

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One of the sources of confusion in immunizations is about the differences between what physicians refer to as active immunizations versus passive immunizations. The most common type of immunization is the active sort. These activate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against a particular bacteria or virus. This is what happens when you are given a flu shot, or your child is given most of their childhood vaccines. The passive forms are used typically only when people have a weaker immune system. But it is also used for other afflictions, such as if your child has been bitten by a wild animal and should be treated for rabies.

“If there is enough time, the active vaccination is preferable. Keep in mind that passive immunizations provide only short-term protection that often lasts just a few weeks before the antibodies are worn down and removed from the bloodstream. By contrast, active immunizations can produce antibodies that last a lifetime.”

Learn More Here: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/pages/Immunizations%20Active-vs-Passive.aspx

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One of the ways to keep your child engaged and away from the television this time of year is to have them participate in crafts. The internet is ripe with suggestions, instructions and patterns for many forms of craft, everything from painting and drawing, to sewing and woodwork. Depending on the interests of both you and your children you’ll likely be able to find something that appeals to you. But before you invest heavily in crafting supplies, make sure that the items are non-toxic. So many children get curious and apply craft supplies in unconventional ways, for instance using markers to make ‘tattoos’, or tasting the finger paints. Keep your kids safe by checking the labels and age-appropriateness of your supplies.

“Parents and teachers should make sure that all art supplies are non-toxic and safe for children. Dangers include lead-based paints and toxic fumes. Children should always be supervised while doing arts and crafts projects.”

Learn More Here: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/pages/Arts-and-Crafts-Are-Your-Kids-Safe.aspx

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I’m sure your sick of my continuous lectures on car seat safety, something I most obviously believe in. But, there are other dangers to your children to be found in vehicles. One of the items many don’t think about are power windows. These can be particularly dangerous for your little ones in many ways. Children have been known to choke themselves by playing in the car and accidentally triggering the rise in the window and causing their heads to be stuck. Keeping the window locks on will help prevent this happening in more recent cars. Most importantly, don’t allow your children to play in the car, or leave them alone in the car.

“Power windows can be extremely dangerous for small children. Over the last ten years, thousands of children have been injured by power windows in an automobile. If your automobile has child safety locks on the power windows, be sure to use them at all times.“

Learn More Here: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Dangers-of-Power-Windows-in-Cars.aspx

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On a recent shopping trip I couldn’t help but notice a child who was walking very funny; she half limped and shuffled through the store. It triggered my natural empathy for the suffering of the child until I found out that she was merely trying to keep her shoes on, as the shoes she was wearing were two sizes too big for her. While I can certainly understand the desire to buy bigger shoes because children grow so quickly, this can actually cause your child problems. If the price is the problem, look for second-hand stores, or kid-to-kid stores where people donate or sell good quality things that their children have out grown.

“As children’s shoe buying becomes a frequent ritual, the American Podiatric Medical Association offers this advice: Make sure the shoes have firm heel support, a flexible sole where the feet bend, cushioning in the insoles, and good arch support. Size the feet when the child is standing and bearing weight on the feet. Allow for a thumb’s width between the tip of the toes and the end of the shoe — enough so the child can comfortably wiggle the toes.”

Learn More Here: http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20110617/hl_hsn/healthtipmakesureyourchildsshoesfit

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Nothing can be more harrowing than taking your children shopping with you. Suddenly a five minute stop at the grocery store turns into an hour long free-for-all that ends with you trying not to rip your hair out. While many people simply contain their children in shopping carts, you should be aware that every year, 23,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for shopping cart related injuries. Unfortunately the majority of these are head and neck injuries caused by simply falling out of the cart. If you are putting your child in the cart, you can reduce the likelyhood of your little one falling out by simply engagine the harness or belt that can be found in many carts today.

“Shopping carts come in different designs, and some may not be as stable or safe as they look. Before you put your child in a shopping cart, you should think twice about his or her safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following suggestions to increase your child’s safety while you shop.”

Learn More Here: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/pages/Safe-Shopping-With-Children.aspx

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Anyone who has been treated for a major cut will likely have been asked about when they last had a tetanus shot. This is not a blow off question as being infected with the tetanus bacteria can lead to lockjaw, a painful condition in which the muscles of the body tighten. It is commonly called lockjaw as the tightening can lock the jaw shut; 20% of those infected die from the infection. Because of the seriousness of the bacteria, you should be sure to get your children vaccinated. Commonly referred to as the DTaP, this vaccination also protects agains diphtheria and pertussis.

“Getting diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting DTaP vaccine. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of DTaP vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.”

Learn More Here: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/pages/Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis-Vaccines-What-You-Need-to-Know.aspx

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If you are the parent of a child with asthma, almost nothing is a terrifying as watching your child go through an attack, knowing there is nothing you can really do. But one of the things you can do is to be proactive in treating your child’s asthma. Most parents are unaware that more should be done than simply getting your child an inhaler. You should keep a log or journal of your child’s symptoms, as well as surrounding conditions, for instance, was your child playing soccer at the time, or simply picking daisies in a field. Knowing the triggers of your child’s asthma can be nearly as important as getting that emergency inhaler.

“According to the American Lung Association, asthma control includes monitoring symptoms, planning ahead for potential emergencies, reducing triggers of asthma attacks such as smoking, and taking enough medications. More than seven percent of adult Americans, and even more kids, have asthma, causing millions of visits to emergency rooms and doctors’ offices every year.”

Read More Here: http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110714/hl_nm/us_parents_asthma

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While your elementary school aged child will not likely have to lug around heavy books from school to home and back again, the same can not be said for your pre-teen and teens. The more difficult the subject, the more complex (and heavy) the textbook required. Because of this, take some time with your child to ensure they are picking a backpack that is constructed to handle the weight, and not just one for style. Poor distribution along the shoulders and back can lead to pain and injuries to the muscles and joints. The linked article provides to guidelines of what to look for when shopping for a backpack.

“Backpacks are a popular and practical way for children and teenagers to carry schoolbooks and supplies. When used correctly, backpacks can be a good way to carry the necessities of the school day. They are designed to distribute the weight of the load among some of the body’s strongest muscles.”

Read More Here: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/pages/Backpack-Safety.aspx

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It seems that some children are drawn to the adventure toy guns seem to promote. They see the fantasy’s portrayed by movies, tv shows or even read adventure stories and want to act them out. Add to that the heroes portrayed by G.I. Joe and Superheroes and you are almost guaranteed your child will want a toy gun. If you’ve ever looked at the selection of toy guns in the store, you know they come in many sizes and types. Some simply make a popping noise, other’s you can purchase ‘pop enhancing’ components, and still others shoot projectiles from rubber beads, to nerf-style darts. Research the types of toy guns before getting one for your kids, injuries can still occur, particularly by some of the projectile launching ones.

“Toy guns that fire projectiles injure hundreds of children each year. They can cause serious injury and may be mistaken for a real gun. Think twice before buying, or allowing anyone else to buy, your child a toy gun.”

Learn More Here: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/pages/Toy-Guns.aspx

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