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 StoryHow 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,…
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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 StoryVirtual 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 StoryKids 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 StoryHalf 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 StoryDaylight 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 StoryHow to prevent strep throat
When your child comes down with strep throat, you may be inclined to think, “Who’s next?” That doesn’t have to be the case. While this illness can be passed easily from one person to another, there are ways to prevent strep throat from spreading. The bacteria that cause strep throat are in the nose and…
Read Full StoryAntibiotics: Why your pediatrician may not prescribe them
Your child is in the pediatrician’s office with a fever, and you find yourself asking why the doctor didn’t prescribe an antibiotic. Or, you wonder what’s the harm in trying an antibiotic? Antibiotics are just one of the many treatments available for kids’ illnesses, but their appropriate use is at the discretion of the provider….
Read Full StoryHow to help your child with grief after a celebrity death
Children, especially younger ones, process grief in different ways. Grief is not a feeling that we reserve solely for our loved ones; we also experience grief at the passing of people with whom we feel a strong connection, such as sports stars, actors, musicians and authors. Think about recent celebrity deaths, such as that of…
Read Full StoryHow long does the cold virus live on surfaces?
Cold viruses can survive on indoor surfaces for up to seven days, but are infectious only for about 24 hours. Generally, they last longer on hard, nonporous surfaces such as plastic or stainless steel. The virus is less likely to live as long on soft, porous surfaces such as tissues. You’re more likely to catch…
Read Full StoryFamily wellness New Year resolutions
Just 8% of New Year’s resolutions are met, and 80 percent are abandoned by the end of January. How can you make resolutions stick? Make resolutions together as a family: Discuss goals and strategies, and develop fun ways to meet them with support from one another. According to Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness coordinator Nikki…
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