Choosing the most effective cold weather clothing for your kids is becoming more of a hassle – ironically, because such clothing is becoming more protective. Some garments, if not used correctly, are counterproductive, actually increasing a child’s risk of experiencing cold-related problems. Here is what you should know: 1. Sophisticated clothing increases perspiration. […]
Healthy Air Travel with Infants UPDATE
There is nothing novel about infants traveling by air. They have been doing so since time immemorial, long before adults. Legend has it that they were “delivered” by storks, and were never the worse for their trips. Of course, stork flights skimmed rooftops, eliminating concerns of high altitude and accompanying ear issues, dehydration, and excessive […]
Children/Sandy Beaches/Sand Boxes/Illness
Are there any fun activities left for kids to do, activities that are healthy, safe and wholesome, where parents need not constantly restrain children’s imaginations and exuberance with that annoying, killjoy utterance, “How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?” Can you believe that playing in sand may be […]
Travel/Children/Bedbugs
The odds of your family returning home from a vacation with bedbugs are extremely small – but steadily increasing. Bedbugs have been known for centuries. But in recent decades they have kept a low profile, restricting themselves to mostly seedy establishments. No more. They are popping up all over the world, sometimes in the plushest […]
Children/Well Water/Illnesses
Make sure that your kids drink safe water when attending camp, traveling, hiking, camping and picnicking, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. Such summer activities often expose kids (and you) to facilities where well water is used. Here is what you should know: 1. Many rural wells are private (as opposed to municipal) […]
Summer/Children/Outdoor Health and Safety
Here are ten of the most healthful tips from the forty topics posted in the past year: 1. June is the month for maximum sun exposure. In June, in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is closest to Earth, straight above you, and there are more hours of sunshine, all increasing exposure. Weather is generally cooler […]
Children/Animal-Related Illnesses
1. No animal is totally predictable – and neither are children. Two-thirds of dogs that bite children had no history of aggressive behavior. Even breeds that make “excellent pets” may bite. Toddlers may innocently incite dogs by suddenly running towards them, arms flailing and making happy noises – behavior that animals may interpret as threatening. […]
Natasha Richardson/Head Trauma/Wearing Helmets/Children
Ms. Richardson apparently had no symptoms immediately after the fall. She got up, smiled, and said she felt fine. She started to complain of a headache about an hour later and her condition deteriorated very rapidly thereafter. Likely, the fall ruptured a blood vessel in her brain, with the rupture gradually becoming larger and culminating […]