The sun does to skin what tobacco smoke does to lungs. Both produce progressive, cumulative, and irreversible tissue damage, often culminating in very serious health issues many decades later.
But it need not happen. There are positive rays of sunshine, too: information on how to neutralize the harmful effects. Here is what you should know:
1. Don’t […]

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Tags: Equator, Infants, Respiratory infections, Skin conditions, Sun exposure, Sunburn, Sunscreen, Toddlers

Visiting Mexico City: 7,550 feet. Viewing the Grand Canyon: 8,000 feet. Skiing in Colorado: 8,000 feet (with some slopes going higher.) Driving up Pike’s Peak: 14,000 feet. At these elevations most children run circles around their huffing and puffing parents. But some children will show symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), and a rare child […]

Posted in Outdoor Recreation No Comments »
Tags: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), Altitude, Aspirin, Asthma, Coughs, Dehydration, Fatigue, Frostbite, Headache, Hypothermia, Ibuprofen (Advil Motrin), Infants, Intestinal illnesses, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Respiratory infections, Seizure disorders, Sleep, Sore throat, Sun exposure, Toddlers, Vomiting

A vacation at sea offers families the best of all worlds: seeing foreign countries without the hassle of constant packing; supervised age-appropriate activities, lots of other children and, should you need it, “in-house” medical facilities.
Here’s what you have to know:
1. Bring your children’s medications:
A leading reason for passengers visiting ships’ infirmaries is to obtain medications […]

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Tags: Cruise ships, Infants, Intestinal illnesses, Medical kit, Medications, Seasickness, Sun exposure, Third world, Toddlers, Tropics, Vaccine

Forget the historic sites, colorful sunsets, and gourmet meals. Most children prefer swimming and water sports on family vacations. But the recreational water health and safety conditions you find at home don’t travel with you, especially overseas. You become the lifeguard for your children, and the person to evaluate health issues and the safety of […]

Posted in Outdoor Recreation 1 Comment »
Tags: Toddlers, Tropics, Vacation

If you’ve never been seasick it’s only because you haven’t encountered the right storm, say veteran sailors. Worse than being seasick yourself is dealing with children who are, say parents.
1. Call it motion sickness, not seasickness.
The ancient Geeks named it. The word “nausea” is the Greek word for “sea.” But motion sickness also occurs in […]

Posted in Safe & Healthy Travel 1 Comment »
Tags: Dizziness, Driving, Headache, Infants, Intestinal illnesses, Medications, Nausea, Toddlers, Travel, Vomiting

In a survey a few years ago, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found at least one safety problem with cribs, pools, and playgrounds in 82% of U.S. hotels randomly chosen for inspection. Overseas the risk of accidents for travelers is greater, especially in developing countries.
1. Think safety.
Most accidents are preventable - but only with […]

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Tags: Driving, Infants, Pets, Toddlers, Vacation

Unreasonable parental expectations and poor planning spoil more family vacations than obstinate children.
1. Make your first goal getting away from daily routines.
How many miles away or how elaborate your trip is secondary. Life at home is regimented and ruled by the clock. On family vacations, let your hair down. Give children choices. Participate in their […]

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Tags: Behavior problems, Planning, Toddlers, Vacation