Prevention & Wellness

When should you wash your hands?

Washing your hands is the easiest way to keep yourself and others from getting sick. Think of it as a do-it-yourself vaccine: Hand hygiene helps prevent diarrhea, strep throat, the flu and many other illnesses caused by various germs like bacteria and viruses. We teach kids how to wash their hands –– but do they…

Read Full Story
Emergency Medicine, Prevention & Wellness

Drownings in Kentucky waterways this year already surpass all of 2019

Kentucky already has had more drownings this year than all of 2019, even while public pools are closed to limit the spread of the coronavirus. So far this year, there have been 33 drownings in Kentucky’s lakes, reservoirs and streams. Nearly half of them — 14 — have occurred since May 23, the Saturday before…

Read Full Story
Prevention & Wellness

Gun safety for kids

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there is a gun in 1 out of 3 homes with children, and nearly 1.7 million children live in a home with a loaded, unlocked gun. Every year, thousands of children are killed or injured because of a gun accident at home, what is referred to as…

Read Full Story
Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Hot cars are no place for kids

It doesn’t have to be a hot summer day for a hot car-related injury or death to occur. It can get up to 50 degrees higher than the outside air temperature inside a car, and if a child is left in a hot car for even a short time, the consequences can be deadly. Already…

Read Full Story
Norton Childrens Hospital, Prevention & Wellness, Teens

How to prevent heat exhaustion

The official start to summer is coming soon; however, the temperatures and humidity levels already have arrived. As we brace for heat waves during the summer, medical experts encourage parents to heed the warning and know the signs of heat exhaustion. “Heat exhaustion and heat-related illnesses can be detrimental in children,” said Sandra M. Herr,…

Read Full Story
Cancer, Prevention & Wellness, Teens

Skin cancer risk: Pale is the new tan

Many warm-weather activities are just around the corner. In an effort to maintain a sun-kissed look, many teens will turn to tanning beds, which can come with an increased risk of developing skin cancer. “A considerable problem with that is many people, especially young people, turn to tanning beds in order to accomplish what they think…

Read Full Story
News, Prevention & Wellness

Summer safety tips

Summer is a time for grilling and getting outside. Many of us will be cooking out and finding ways to enjoy the outdoors to start off the summer. Here are a few tips to stay safe and healthy this summer. Eat healthy Half your plate should be fruits and vegetables! Summer is a great season for fresh,…

Read Full Story
Prevention & Wellness

Virtual Fruit and Boot Camp available

Join us for this free, fun-filled, live online class designed to teach you and your school-age children how to eat well and stay active together! Adults and kids will practice making simple, healthy food and participate in an exercise activity that can be done at home. All physical fitness levels are welcome. The program grant…

Read Full Story
Prevention & Wellness

Kids are home and curious — make sure your guns are safe

Kids are home all the time these days, increasing the risk of accidental shootings. Children are naturally curious, and boredom could increase their chances of stumbling upon something dangerous. “I am concerned given all these factors that we’re going to see more children injured accidentally by guns,” said Kerry S. Caperell, M.D., a pediatric emergency…

Read Full Story
Kentucky Poison Control Center, Prevention & Wellness

Half of child poisonings due to adults removing safety packaging

Parents and grandparents are unintentionally contributing to 50,000 emergency room visits each year by removing prescription drugs’ child-resistant packaging. According to the Journal of Pediatrics, more than half of children under age 5 who are poisoned by prescription pills ate them after an adult removed the safety packaging. Nearly a third of those cases involved…

Read Full Story
COVID19, Infectious Disease, Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Talking to kids about coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

With news about the new coronavirus and the disease it causes (COVID-19) changing by the day, keep in mind that your kids are hearing about it too, even if they don’t bring it up. They’re getting information from other kids, social media or snippets of news reports, and likely to misunderstand what they’re hearing. Deciding…

Read Full Story
Norton Childrens Medical Group, Prevention & Wellness

Daylight saving time and kids: Tips to ease the lost hour

We all know the drill — twice a year we change our clocks to account for daylight saving time. Daylight time starts this Sunday, March 8, when we will “spring forward” by one hour. (Remember to set your clocks forward on Saturday night.) Whether you like the idea of longer days with more sunlight or…

Read Full Story