Keeping kid’s feet dry in snow country is no easy task when kid’s favorite activities include walking in the deepest snow in sight and looking for puddles to step into, or more fun yet, stepping through the ice that may cover puddles.
 
Here is what you should know:
 
1. The difference between frost bite and […]

Posted in Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel No Comments »
Tags: children snow boots, Cold weather, cold-inflicted, cold-related injuries, dry footwear, frost bite, frost nip, Frostbite, frostnip, frostnipped areas, insulated, kid's feet, my feet are freezing, snow boots, snow country, snowboots, thumb toe, traction, warm feet, water resistant, winter boots, woolen socks

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. Modern garments are […]

Posted in Destinations, Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel No Comments »
Tags: absorb moisture, cold air, cold weather. cold weather clothing, cold-induced coughs, cold-related problems, cold-water immersion, cotton, diaper, freezing point, garments, gloves, headwear, inner layer, insulation, kids, layers, loose-fitting, middle layer, mittens, moisture, muscular activity, outdoor activities, perspiration, polyester fabric, rain, rapid cooling, scarf, scarves, serious cold-related problems, skin, snow, snow suit, sweating, synthetic fibers, waterproof, waterproof mittens, wet clothing, wick, wind chill, wind chill factor, windchill, windchill factor, young children

Quarantines* and other restrictions on international travel do little to limit the spread of disease, in this case, H1N1flu, when the disease already exists in most countries, says World Health Organization. Nevertheless, public health authorities in some countries, mostly in the Middle East and Asia, are monitoring arriving travelers for symptoms suggestive of H1N1 and […]

Posted in Destinations, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel, Travel, Vaccinations No Comments »
Tags: air travel, anti-flu, anti-flu medication, body aches, bubonic plague, chills, chronic diseases, contagious diseases, cough, Cruise ships, daycare, decontaminating, Diarrhea, epidemic, Fatigue, fever, flu outbreaks, flu season, flu virus, flu-like illnesses, flu-related, H1N1, h1n1 flu, h1n1 for travelers, h1n1 immunization, h1n1 outbreaks, h1n1 related, h1n1 symptoms, hand sanitizer, Headache, hospitalization, immunize, immunized, international travel, meningitis, meningitis vaccination, nasal congestion, nasal swab, pandemic, quaranti giorni, quarantine, rapid nasal swab, school, seasonal flu, self-medicate, sickbay, Sore throat, spread of disease, spread widely, swine flu, tamiflu, temperature scanning, traveler's assistance insurance, traveler's insurance, vaccinated, Vomiting, World Health Organization

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 […]

Posted in Destinations, Outdoor Recreation, Safe & Healthy Travel, Travel No Comments »

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 hazardous […]

Posted in Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel, Sun No Comments »
Tags: creeping eruption, cutaneous larva migrans, Diarrhea, e. coli, ethyle chloride, gastrointestinal, microorganisms, parasite, public beaches, sand, sand box, sand boxes, sand pollution, sandbox, sandbox play, sandbox safety, sandboxes, stomach ache, Vomiting

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 of […]

Posted in Insects, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel 1 Comment »
Tags: bed bug, bed bugs, bedbug, bedbugs, bedbugs bite, disease-causing organisms, exterminator, hotels, infestation, insecticides, itching, ultrasonic devices

Mother Nature provides us with an infinite array of wonders. But it seems that she also possesses a mischievous streak, perhaps to remind us that “natural” is not synonymous with “beneficial,” as many people like to think. Poison ivy is a case in point. It affects countless millions of Americans each year.
 

 
Here what you […]

Posted in Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel No Comments »
Tags: anesthetics, antihistamines, blisters, contagious, cortisone, hollister moisture barrier, itching, ivy, outdoors, plants, poison, poison ivy, poison ivy wash, poison oak, poison sumac, rash, tecnu ivy scrub, urishiol, urushiol, zanfel

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) and more […]

Posted in Food & Water Precautions, Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel No Comments »
Tags: camping, drinking fountains, drinking water, gatroenteritis, heavy rains, hiking, municipal wells, pollutants, public water systems, rural wells, water-borne, water-borne organismsm, waterborne, waterborne illness, well water

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 […]

Posted in Outdoor Recreation, Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel, Sun, Travel No Comments »
Tags: auto travel, benadryl, dramamine, Insect bites, insect repellent, motion sickness, outdoors, preventing bites, radiation, Sun exposure, sun protection, Sunburn, Sunscreen, swimming, treating bites, waterfront safety, weather

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. […]

Posted in Prevention, Safe & Healthy Travel No Comments »
Tags: animal bites, avian flu, avian influenza, bites, camping, disease, hand washing, Pets, petting zoos, rabies