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Category Archives: SAFETY


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ANOTHER DAY – ANOTHER WARNING TO THE UNVACCINATED

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed two cases of measles in a suburb of Boston and issued a warning for other Framingham residents: You may be exposed to the highly contagious disease.

Those who were vaccinated as children are immune from the disease. But those who weren’t could see symptoms soon. Medical experts say it doesn’t take long for the disease to set in once the person’s been exposed. Watch out for symptoms such as cough, runny nose, pink eye, high fever and a rash covering the body.

NOT CONVINCED YET?

According to the California Department of Public Health, there are 15 reported cases of measles in California. The 15 cases in California have shown up in Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange counties. North of the Central Coast, cases have been documented in Contra Costa, Alameda and San Mateo counties.

The CDC says there are 20 million cases and more than 164,000 deaths each year worldwide from measles.

MORE TO COME
A case of measles has been confirmed in an Orange County NY now.

The measles’ confirmation comes just after California health officials reported up to 25 cases of paralysis in children due to a polio-like illness with similar symptoms.

KEY QUESTION

Are you ready to take the chances with your child’s health? Check out our views:

We have two options:

a) Either raise our kids in a bubble so that they are never exposed to such deadly killers

b) Immunize and protect them.

Your Call!

Source: Multiple including WashingtonTimes


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BREAKING NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA: IF YOU NOT IMMUNIZED, READ…

This follows a recent outbreak in Fortworth Texas: http://txnaturalpediatrics.com/2013/08/20/news-break-refused-mmr-vaccine-stay-at-home/

And another http://txnaturalpediatrics.com/2013/11/04/news-flash-2013-child-disease-update/

Health officials are trying to get the word out that a University of California, Berkeley, student may have exposed classmates and strangers to measles. A student who contracted measles, likely during a trip overseas, had spent time in and around campus and commuting to and from his home on Bay Area Rapid Transit. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, measles spreads through coughing, sneezing or breathing and "any child who is exposed to it and is not immune will probably get the disease." Measles start out much like a common cold, with high fevers, red eyes and a telltale rash. Children are particularly susceptible: About 10% of them who get measles come down with ear infections, and roughly 5% end up with pneumonia. One or two of 1,000 children with measles die, according to the CDC.

Since we cannot raise our kids in a bubble, we recommend that you consider vaccinating your child.

Read:

http://txnaturalpediatrics.com/2014/01/06/vaccination-basics/

http://txnaturalpediatrics.com/2013/06/05/do-mmr-vaccine-cause-autism/

http://txnaturalpediatrics.com/2013/03/25/truth-about-vaccines/


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PVC, BPA and DEHP are Dangerous for Kid’s Health

Polyvinyl chloride or PVC, is often dubbed the most toxic plastic on the planet because of all the harmful vinyl chemicals used to manufacture it and the ones released during its use and disposal.

A vinyl chemical called diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), the chemical used to keep PVC flexible and pliable (think shower curtains and garden hoses), has just been dubbed a carcinogen by the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

This adds to others in the list:

· BPA, the hormone disruptor found in some plastics labeled #7 and in the lining of most canned foods, and

· Phthalate, DEHP, which is also used in PVC, and is a carcinogen.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Say no to vinyl. The easiest way to identify this toxic plastic is to avoid any plastic products with the #3 in the triangle of arrows on the bottom. If you’re not sure, give it a smell test: PVC products emit a plastic odor that will remind you of a new shower curtain.

Source: Rodale News


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LATEST RESEARCH IN PREVENTING AND TREATING A COLD

The common cold strikes adults two to three times a year on average, while children under age 2 develop colds about six times a year.

Colds are not caused by cold weather but by 100 types of Rhinoviruses.

PREVENTION

· The best way to avoid a cold is to keep your hands germ-free.

· using alcohol-based disinfectants and gloves, are also effective in preventing the cold. But soap is more effective than alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

· In children, taking zinc (10 to 15 milligrams of zinc sulfate daily) works, too. This is found in meat, beans and nuts, and appears to be effective in reducing the number of colds per year.

· There is some evidence that probiotics may help prevent colds but it is unclear why.

· Gargling water, eating garlic, exercising and homeopathic remedies — didn’t provide clear or sufficient evidence.

· Cold viruses love eyes and noses but rarely leap mouth to mouth. So avoid rub your eyes and giving kisses.

TREATMENT

· There’s no vaccine or cure for the cold, which usually takes a week to fully resolve.

· pain relievers ibuprofen are effective in relieving pain and fever, but not in relieving other symptoms.

· Taking antihistamines combined with decongestants or pain medications appears to be somewhat effective in treating the symptoms of colds in people older than age 5.

· Humidity can relieve congestion.

· As for nasal sprays, the drug ipratropium may alleviate a runny nose, but it is not effective in treating congestion.

· Vitamin C and antibiotics showed no benefit for treating the common cold.

FUNNY FACT

· People who are happy, lively, calm or exhibit other positive emotions are less likely to catch colds and report fewer symptoms of the illness.


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VACCINATION BASICS

As a parent, you may be protective and may not like seeing your baby being pricked by a needle several times. However, vaccination is an important step in protecting your child against a range of serious and potentially fatal diseases.

Measles, mumps and whooping cough may seem like quaint old illness confined to past. However, more and more children are being exposed to them, especially in schools, day-care centers, parks and malls where large numbers of people are together in close quarters. Diseases like measles, which were on their way out in the U.S., are making a comeback in (North East & Fort worth) via travelers and guests visiting from other countries. If kids are immunized it won’t spread quickly.

Vaccinations are quick, safe and extremely effective. Once your child has been vaccinated against a disease, their body can make antibodies to fight that disease more effectively if they come in contact with it. If a child isn’t vaccinated they will be at a heightened risk of catching the illness. There will always be some children, who are unavoidably unprotected because,

• They can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons.

• They’re too young to be vaccinated.

• They can’t get to the vaccine services.

• For a rare few, vaccination doesn’t work.

If more parents have their children vaccinated, then more children in the community will be protected against catching an illness. This lowers the chance of an outbreak of the disease.

How does vaccine work?

A vaccine is made from a tiny amount of the disease causing germs (virus and bacteria). For example, measles vaccine is made from the measles virus. The germ in the vaccine is killed or weakened version to ensure that the person does not contract the disease. When the vaccine is given, the body produces antibodies against the small amount of the germ protein in the vaccine. These antibodies fight off the disease when the person is exposed to the disease anytime in the future. Vaccines are a safe way of developing immunity in our children.

Are vaccines safe?

Vaccines are safe. Before the vaccine is approved for use, it undergoes years and years of testing and research. The Public Health agency continues to monitor all vaccines after they are approved.

Like any medicines vaccines may also has minor side-effects like soreness, redness and swelling in that area. Receiving one is far safer than getting the killer disease it prevents. Statements that vaccines causes autism is bunk and fraudulent science. Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.

Can you overload a child’s immune system?

Studies have shown that vaccines do not weaken a child’s immune system. In fact, the immune system is strengthened by immunization. Every day our body come in contact with millions of germs that rev our immune system to work overtime to protect us. The killed/weakened germs in the vaccines are very few when compared to the millions of germs fought every day by our immune system. A single cold virus presents greater challenge to the immune system than the number of antigens in virus. Today, we immunize against great number of diseases and because of advances of vaccine production, there are fewer antigens in vaccines today than there were 40 or 100 years ago.

More on Vaccines in our Part 2 later…..


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MOM I WANT TO GET A TATOO

Risks Involved in Tattooing

The following are the primary complications that can result from tattooing:

· Infection. Unsterile tattooing equipment and needles can transmit infectious diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis, and skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") and other bacteria*. Tattoos received at facilities not regulated by your state or at facilities that use unsterile equipment (or re-use ink) may prevent you from being accepted as a blood or plasma donor for twelve months. Infections also have resulted from contaminated tattoo inks, even when the tattoo artist has followed hygienic procedures. These infections can require prolonged treatment with antibiotics.

· Removal problems. Despite advances in laser technology, removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, usually involving several treatments and considerable expense. Complete removal without scarring may be impossible.

· Allergic reactions. Although FDA has received reports of numerous adverse reactions associated with certain shades of ink in permanent makeup, marketed by a particular manufacturer, reports of allergic reactions to tattoo pigments have been rare. However, when they happen they may be particularly troublesome because the pigments can be hard to remove. Occasionally, people may develop an allergic reaction to tattoos they have had for years.

· Granulomas.These are nodules that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment.

· Keloid formation. If you are prone to developing keloids — scars that grow beyond normal boundaries — you are at risk of keloid formation from a tattoo. Keloids may form any time you injure or traumatize your skin.Micropigmentation: State of the Art, a book written by Charles Zwerling, M.D., Annette Walker, R.N., and Norman Goldstein, M.D., states that keloids occur more frequently as a consequence of tattoo removal.

· MRI complications. There have been reports of people with tattoos or permanent makeup who experienced swelling or burning in the affected areas when they underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This seems to occur only rarely and apparently without lasting effects.There have also been reports of tattoo pigments interfering with the quality of the MRI image. This seems to occur mainly when a person with permanent eyeliner undergoes MRI of the eyes. However, the risks of avoiding an MRI when your doctor has recommended one are likely to be much greater than the risks of complications from an interaction between the MRI and tattoo or permanent makeup. Instead of avoiding an MRI, individuals who have tattoos or permanent makeup should inform the radiologist or technician.

A Common Problem: Dissatisfaction

A common problem that may develop with tattoos is the desire to remove them. Removing tattoos and permanent makeup can be very difficult.

Although tattoos may be satisfactory at first, they sometimes fade. Also, if the tattooist injects the pigments too deeply into the skin, the pigments may migrate beyond the original sites, resulting in a blurred appearance.

Another cause of dissatisfaction is that the human body changes over time, and styles change with the season. The permanent makeup that may have looked flattering when first injected may later clash with changing skin tones and facial or body contours. People who plan to have facial cosmetic surgery are advised that the appearance of their permanent makeup may become distorted. The tattoo that seem stylish at the time may become dated and embarrassing later on. And changing tattoos or permanent makeup is not as easy as changing your mind.

Consult your healthcare provider about the best removal techniques for you.

Source: FDA


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KIDS AND COSMETICS

Source: FDA

1. FDA DOES NOT HAVE TO APPROVE ALL COSMETICS BEFORE THEY GO ON THE MARKET.

Unlike drug companies, cosmetic companies may use almost any ingredient they choose, with these exceptions:

· There are a few substances that are not allowed to be used in cosmetics.

· All color additives must be approved for their intended use. For example, a particular color additive may only be used in an eye shadow if it is approved for cosmetic use, including the area of the eyes. Many colors even have to be "certified" by FDA. That means that samples from each batch must pass special testing for purity in FDA’s own labs before they may be used.

· If a product or its ingredients have not been shown to be safe, the product is supposed to have this warning statement on the label:

"Warning: The safety of this product has not been determined."

2. USING MASCARA THE WRONG WAY CAN CAUSE EYE INJURIES AND INFECTIONS – EVEN BLINDNESS.

The most serious risk from mascara is scratching your eye with the mascara wand, then getting an infection from germs on the wand.

To use mascara safely, follow these rules:

· Never apply mascara in a car, bus, plane or any other moving vehicle. It’s easy to scratch your eye if you hit a bump or come to a sudden stop.

· If mascara gets dried up, don’t add water or – even worse – (yuck) spit into it to moisten it. This can add germs that may grow and cause an infection.

· As mascara gets old, it is more likely to have germs growing in it. Throw it out after three months.

· Don’t share mascara – not even with your best friend. You might be sharing germs that way.

· Remove all mascara, and any other make-up, before you go to bed. Bits of mascara can flake into your eyes and cause an infection.

3. IT’S NOT OK TO USE HAIR DYES ON YOUR EYEBROWS AND EYELASHES.

Never use hair dyes on the eyebrows and eyelashes. Doing this can cause blindness.

There are approved, safe colors for mascara and eyebrow pencils, but no hair dyes are approved for tinting or dyeing the eyebrows or eyelashes.

4. TATTOOS ARE GENERALLY PERMANENT.

Lasers have made it easier to lighten tattoos, but it’s not as easy or as reliable as many people think.

Lightening a tattoo generally takes several treatments and can be expensive.

Also, some tattoo colors are harder to remove than others. Laser treatments can turn some tattoos darker instead of lighter, or change them to a different color.

The same goes for "permanent makeup," which is a kind of tattoo. It depends on what ingredients went into the tattoo ink to produce the color.

But it can be hard to find out what’s in tattoo inks because they usually don’t have ingredients listed on the label.

Very often, even the tattooist doesn’t know what’s in the tattoo ink because the company that made it considers the formula a trade secret.

FDA has not approved any color additives for injection into your skin.

Although it happens only very rarely, some people may have an allergic reaction to the dyes used for tattooing. Imagine being allergic to something that’s been injected into your skin.

Speaking of forever, how often do you change your mind about your hair, your earrings, or the clothes you like to wear? It’s not so easy when you change your mind about a tattoo.

Although many "temporary tattoos" are legal, some — especially some of those imported from other countries — are illegal in the United States because they use color additives that are not approved for use on the skin.

FDA has had reports of people having allergic reactions to temporary tattoos.

What about henna temporary tattoos? Henna is a brown to reddish brown dye made from a plant. It is approved only for use on the hair, not the skin. If it is black, or any other color besides brown or reddish brown, it contains other ingredients. It also may contain other ingredients to make the stain darker, make the skin absorb the color more easily, or make the stain last longer.

Could these ingredients hurt you? It depends. Individuals are different and may be sensitive to different things. If you don’t know what the ingredients are, it’s impossible to tell what they might do if you put them on your skin.

5. "CRUELTY FREE" OR "NOT TESTED IN ANIMALS" DOES NOT MEAN THAT NO ANIMAL TESTING WAS DONE ON THE PRODUCT AND ITS INGREDIENTS.

Even if a product never was tested in animals, there’s a very good chance its ingredients were.

6: IF A PRODUCT IS LABELED "ALL NATURAL" OR "ORGANIC," IT’S PROBABLY NOT HYPOALLERGENIC.

Remember, poison ivy is all natural, too!

Another example, lanolin, from sheep’s wool, is a common natural ingredient in some moisturizers that sometimes causes allergic reactions.

CHOOSING PRODUCTS WITH THE CLAIM "DERMATOLOGIST TESTED" IS NOT A WAY TO AVOID AN ALLERGIC REACTION OR OTHER SKIN IRRITATION.

"Dermatologist tested" doesn’t really tell you much:

· Did the dermatologist work for the manufacturer?

· How many people was the product tested on?

· How long did the testing last?

· What were the results of the testing?

KEY TAKEAWAY

Avoid all chemicals on your skin as much as possible.


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BIO-TERRORISM AND KIDS

What should you do in a Bio-terrorist attack?

Anthrax

· Cipro (Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride) Approved for Inhalation Anthrax)

· Doxycycline and Penicillin G Procaine for Inhalational Anthrax (Post-Exposure)

§ Public Health Emergency Home Preparation Instructions for Doxycycline
Includes the pamphlet, "In an Emergency: How to Prepare Doxycycline for Children and Adults Who Cannot Swallow Pills" (updated 7/2/2008)

· Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Larotid, Trimox, Wymox) Use by Pregnant and Lactating Women (11/20/2001)

Chemical Agents

· Atropen (atropine autoinjector)
FDA has approved new dosage forms of the Atropen for use in children and adolescents exposed to certain nerve agents or insecticides. The Atropen has been approved since 1973 for use in adults. FDA Talk Paper(6/20/2003)


Radiation Emergencies

· Calcium-DTPA and Zinc-DTPA Information (For pediatric information, please view the labels.)
Conditions under which calcium-DTPA (Ca-DTPA) and zinc-DTPA (Zn-DTPA) can be found to be safe and effective for the treatment of internal contamination with plutonium, americium, or curium to increase the rates of elimination of these substances from the body. (9/12/2003)

· Potassium Iodide

§ Frequently Asked Questions on Potassium Iodide (KI) (2/21/2002; updated 3/29/2011)

§ Home Preparation Procedure for Emergency Administration of Potassium Iodide Tablets to Infants and Small Children (PDF – 33KB) (7/3/2002)

§ FDA Talk Paper: Guidance on Protection of Children and Adults Against Thyroid Cancer in Case of Nuclear Accident. (12/10/2001)

· Prussian Blue Information
FDA approved Radiogardase, also known as Prussian blue, to treat people exposed to radiation contamination, due to harmful levels of cesium-137 or thallium. (10/2/2003)

§ Radiogardase (Prussian Blue) Labeling (PDF – 208KB) (prescribing information for children and adults)

Source: FDA Bio-Terrorism preparedness


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CIGARETTE FACTS

Cigarette has fire at one end and a fool at the other. Whenever you light a cigarette you actually are putting your health, your life expectancy and your money on fire. Cigarette industries earn about $400 billion a year as cigarette is the most traded item in the world. It is a sad truth that initially people start smoking to look cool, stylish and sexy and gradually they become dependent on smoking both physically and psychologically because nicotine is a highly addictive substance.

Something you perhaps didn’t know about Cigarettes, Cigars or Other Tobacco products.

· The American cigarette manufacturers sell less cigarettes to Americans as compared to the number that they sell to non-Americans.

· 70 % of the cigarette market is owned by major brands like Marlboro, Camel, Kent and kool.

· Out of total cigarettes sold all over the world, 25 % are smuggled.

· Legally tobacco cannot be sold to people younger than 18 years in most of countries except Japan where legal age for the purpose is 20 years.

· Within 10 seconds of inhalation of cigarette smoke, nicotine reaches every part of body including brain.

· Cigs are now added with flavors with toppings of substances like, clove, licorice, orange oil, apricot stone, lime oil, lavender oil, cocoa and many others.

· Sometimes, Urea, which is excreted in urine is used to flavor the cigarettes.

· There is a myth that smoking helps in digestion. In fact smoking slows digestion by diverting the blood towards other organs, away from intestine where it is required for digestion.

AND THE BEST

It has been proven by research that smokers’ life expectancy is reduced by 14 years.

Following is a short account of the most horrible diseases caused by smoking.

1. Respiratory disease: Smoking over a longer period of time can lead to development of breathing problems, commonly known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During first phase of the disease patient develops chronic bronchitis, which means longstanding inflammation of airways, followed by bronchiectesis, which means destruction of airways, and eventually emphysema, which means destruction of alveoli (small balloons where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange takes place). Hence one shouldn’t smoke in the first place and if you have already started smoking quit it as soon as possible.

2. Gum Disease: Smoking can inflict serious damage and disease to oral mucosa and gums because it leads to deposition of toxins over gums and mucosa causing their staining.

3. Blindness: Recent research has revealed that smoking also contributes towards blindness by atrophy of muscles leading to degeneration of macula and by reducing blood supply leading to degeneration of retina.

4. Diabetes Mellitus: Not only the risk of developing diabetes is increased manifold by smoking but also that of developing secondary complications of diabetes like heart disease, vascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye disease and foot problems.

5. High BP: Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels resulting in increased blood pressure, which leads to increased risk of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke.

6. Peripheral Vascular Disease: Smoking causes atherosclerosis, which means deposition of fat on the inner side of the walls of the blood vessels and stiffening of these walls resulting in loss of their elasticity. These changes not only result in rise in blood pressure but also reduction in blood flow through the blood vessels. This impairment in blood flow can lead to tissue ischemia, which means death of tissues due to lack of blood supply, especially in legs. This ischemia can eventually lead to amputation of lower limbs, hence it is said that either you can have your cigarettes or your legs.

7. Stroke – Smoking causes vascular disease resulting in reduced blood supply to brain and weakness of walls of blood vessels. Hence stroke can result either from obstruction in blood supply to brain or from rupture of weak blood vessel wall resulting in bleeding into brain.

8. CANCER – Most common cancer caused by smoking is lung cancer. Other types of cancer that are caused by smoking include blood cancer, mouth, tongue, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, stomach, pancreas and cervix.

9. HEART DISEASE – Smoking causes atherosclerosis of the blood vessels, which means deposition of fat on the inner side of blood vessels and hardening of walls of blood vessels resulting in loss of their elasticity. Atherosclerosis of coronary arteries (arteries that supply blood to the heart itself) results in reduced blood supply to heart hence reduced work capacity of the heart while atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries results in increased resistance to blood flow and consequently putting increased work load over the heart. This imbalance in work load over the heart and blood supply to the heart results in extra stress and strain over the heart causing angina and myocardial infarction.

Takeaway:

TALK to your child about the dangers of smoking.


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NEWS FLASH: Vaccine Refusal Contributes to Whooping Cough Outbreaks

By Rachael Rettner, Senior Writer 4 hours ago

The 2010 whooping cough outbreak in California may have been fueled, at least in part, by clusters of parents who refused to vaccinate their children, a new study suggests.

Researchers analyzed local rates of children entering kindergarten with "non-medical" vaccine exemptions, meaning parents or guardians applied for an exemption from school policies requiring vaccines due to personal beliefs, rather than for medical reasons. They compared these rates with rates of whooping cough in 2010, the year the state experienced awhooping cough outbreak that caused 9,120 cases and 10 deaths from the disease.

The researchers identified 39 areas, or clusters, with high rates of non-medical exemptions, as well as two large clusters of whooping cough (also called pertussis) cases.

More cases of pertussis occurred within the exemption clusters than outside of the clusters, the study found. [7
Devastating Infectious Diseases]

In addition, areas within exemption clusters were more than twice as likely to overlap with pertussis case clusters than areas outside of exemption clusters.

The results held even after the researchers took into account factors that could affect disease rates, such as population density.

San Diego County had a particularly high degree of overlap between clusters of exemptions and pertussis cases. There were 980 pertussis cases in the county, and the area in and around Escondido, a city in San Diego County, had more than 5,100 exemptions.

Many factors likely contributed to the 2010 California pertussis outbreak, including increased detection of cases, the fact that pertussis activity increases and decreases in cycles, and that protection offered by a new version of the pertussis vaccine wanes more quickly than that of the previous vaccine.

But the new findings suggest that vaccine refusal played a role as well, the researchers said. Although the overall rate of vaccination in California remained high (90 percent of kindergartners in 2010 were fully vaccinated), some regions had lower immunization rates, the researchers said. In 2010, some schools reported non-medical exemption rates as high as 84 percent.

"Our findings suggest that communities with large numbers of intentionally unvaccinated or undervaccinated persons can lead to pertussis outbreaks," the researchers wrote in the Sept. 30 issue of the journal Pediatrics.

"In the presence of limited vaccine effectiveness and waning immunity, sustained community level transmission can occur, putting those who are most susceptible to communicable diseases, such as young infants, at increased risk," said the researchers, from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Emory University School of Public Health and the California Department of Public Health.

The researchers noted that non-medical exemptions for kindergartners are only a proxy for community level vaccination coverage. Future research should study how vaccine refusal contributes to pertussis outbreaks, the researchers said.

Another study published earlier this month found that young children who miss some of their whooping cough shots, or receive the shots late, are at increased risk for catching the disease.

Follow Rachael Rettner @RachaelRettner. Follow LiveScience @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on LiveScience.


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CHOKING HAZARDS

On an annual basis 12K kids go to ER for choking. Do you know why?

STUDY:

Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), looked at 100K choking-related ER visits that involved food between 2001 and 2009 for children ages 0-14 years. 10 % were hospitalized. ~35% were children under a year, although the mean age was 4.5 years.

DETAILS:

The top five foods that kids choked on:

1. Hard candy

2. Other candy (like gum)

3. Meat

4. Bone

5. Fruits and vegetables

For babies under a year, the top three were:

1. Formula/milk/breast milk (peak age for this was 4 months)

2. Fruits/vegetables

3. Biscuits/cookies/crackers (beware of those baby biscuits–it’s easy to get a big chunk off).

For children 1-2 years, here were the top dangers:

1. Fruits/vegetables

2. Seeds/nuts/shells

3. Other candy (not hard candy–perhaps people usually know better than to give toddlers hard candy)

TAKEAWAY:

· Choking can be prevented.

· Be alert for small objects that can cause choking, such as coins, buttons, and small toys.

· Check under furniture and between cushions for small items that children could find and put in their mouths.

· Latex balloons are a choking hazard.

Keep items that are choking hazards away from babies and young children. These include:

· Coins

· Buttons

· Toys with small parts

· Toys that can fit entirely in a child’s mouth

· Small balls, marbles

· Balloons

· Small hair bows, barrettes, rubber bands

· Pen or marker caps

· Small button-type batteries

· Refrigerator magnets

· Pieces of dog food

Keep the following foods away from children younger than 4 years:

· Hot dogs

· Nuts and seeds

· Chunks of meat or cheese

· Whole grapes

· Hard or sticky candy

· Popcorn

· Chunks of peanut butter

· Chunks of raw vegetables

· Chewing gum


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FIRE SAFETY FOR KIDS

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

BURNS

· Don’t carry or hold a child while cooking on the stove. Instead, move a high chair in the kitchen within reach or sight before you start. Then talk to your children so they know what’s going on. It’s a great way to spend time together.

· With everything going on, we know the water heater is the last thing on your mind. But a small adjustment can give you one less thing to worry about. To prevent accidental scalding, set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or the manufacturer’s recommended setting.

· Kids love to reach, so to prevent hot food or liquid spills, simply use the back burner of your stove and turn pot handles away from the edge. Keep hot foods away from the edge of your counters.

· Make a habit of placing matches, gasoline and lighters in a safe place, out of children’s reach. Avoid novelty lighters or lighters that look like toys.

CARBON MONOXIDE

· Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide alarm. As with smoke alarms, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas, and keep them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.

· Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms, and vice versa. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are available.

· Don’t use a grill, generator or camping stove inside your home, garage or near a window.

· If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Don’t leave a car, SUV or motorcycle engine running inside a garage.

· If using gasoline-powered devices, store gasoline in a locked location where children cannot access it. Keep only small quantities in an approved container that has child safety features.

· Keep gasoline away from any source of heat, spark or flame. Even common household appliances such as water heaters and clothes dryers can start a gasoline fire. Be sure to store your gasoline away from anything that could ignite it.

FIRE

· Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent. They are a critical first step for staying safe, but in order to be effective, they have to be working properly. For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every sleeping area.

· Teach kids never to play with matches, lighters or fireworks. Depending on the age and maturity level of your child, it may be reasonable to use the items with the supervision of an adult. Just be sure that a fire extinguisher and a phone are close by in case of an emergency.

· Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of your house in case of a fire. Get a stopwatch and time how fast your family can escape. The kids will love it. Here’s a handy worksheet to help get you started.

· Children should know how to respond to the sound of a smoke alarm. Teach them to get low and get out when they hear it. A child who is coached properly ahead of time will have a better chance to be safe. Watch our video to learn more.

· Use common sense in the kitchen. Limit distractions when cooking and don’t leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended.

Source: http://www.usa.safekids.org/


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SEAT BELT SAFETY FOR KIDS

SEAT BELT SAFETY TIPS

· Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat. Here’s a quick car seat checklist to help you out. It takes only 15 minutes. If you are having even the slightest trouble, questions or concerns, certified child passenger safety technicians are able to help or even double check your work.

· Learn how to install your car seat for free. Safe Kids hosts car seat inspection events across the country where certified technicians can help make sure your car seat is properly installed. They will teach you so that you can always be sure your car seat is used correctly. Find a Safe Kids car seat checkup event near you.

· Buy a used car seat only if you know its full crash history. That means you must buy it from someone you know, not from a thrift store or over the Internet. Once a car seat has been in a crash, it needs to be replaced.

· We know that when adults wear seat belts, kids wear seat belts. So be a good example and buckle up for every ride. Be sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up, too.

· Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. While it may be tempting to dash out for a quick errand, the temperature inside your car can rise 20 degrees and cause heatstroke in the time it takes for you to run in and out of the store.

· Use a booster seat with the vehicle lap AND shoulder safety belts until your child passes the following Safety Belt Fit Test:

· Be sure your kids are ready for a seat belt by giving them the following Safety Belt Fit Test:

o Your children’s knees should bend at the edge of the seat when their backs and bottoms are against the vehicle seat back; and

o The vehicle lap belt should fit across the upper thighs; and

o The shoulder belt should fit across the shoulder and chest. Children are usually between 8 and 12 years old when the seat belt fits them properly.

· Once your children pass the Safety Belt Fit Test, teach them the importance of using seat belts on every ride, whether they’re with you or not. This is a habit you can instill at an early age. If they learn this lesson early, they’ll be more likely to buckle up when they’re older or when you’re not around.

· Kids are VIPs – just ask them. VIPs ride in the back seat, so keep all kids in the back seat until they are 13.

· When adults wear seat belts, kids wear seat belts. So be a good example and buckle up for every ride. Be sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up, too.

· A lap and shoulder belt provides the best protection for your children and should be used on every ride.

· We know kids like to slouch or lean against the windows during the drive, but it makes a difference in terms of safety. Have your children sit upright when using seat belts.

Source: http://www.usa.safekids.org/


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SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS PLAY

SAFETY TIPS FOR PLAY

BIKES

· "Use your head, wear a helmet." It is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes.

· Tell your kids to ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against it. Stay as far to the right as possible. Use appropriate hand signals and respect traffic signals, stopping at all stop signs and stoplights.

· Teach your kids to make eye contact with drivers. Bikers should make sure drivers are paying attention and are going to stop before they cross the street.

· When riding at dusk, dawn or in the evening, be bright and use lights – and make sure your bike has reflectors as well. It’s also smart to wear clothes and accessories that have retro-reflective materials to improve biker visibility to motorists.

· Actively supervise children until you’re comfortable that they are responsible to ride on their own.

SKATEBOARDS

· Every skater should wear a helmet. Wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads are a good idea for everyone, but especially for beginners. Mouth guards are good protection against broken teeth.

· Children should ride on smooth, dry surfaces located in a well-lit area away from traffic.

· Teach children to check skates and boards for problems before each use. If there are any cracked, loose or broken parts, the item should not be used until it is repaired.

· Teach children to minimize the impact of a fall by crouching down as they lose balance to reduce the distance to the surface.

PLAYGROUND

· Take your kids to playgrounds with shock-absorbing surfaces such as rubber, synthetic turf, sand, pea gravel, wood chips or mulch. If your child falls, the landing will be more cushioned than on asphalt, concrete, grass or dirt.

· Dress appropriately for the playground. Remove necklaces, purses, scarves or clothing with drawstrings that can get caught on equipment and pose a strangulation hazard. Even helmets can be dangerous on a playground, so save those for bikes.

· Teach children that pushing, shoving or crowding while on the playground can be dangerous.

Source: http://www.usa.safekids.org/


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VEHICLE SAFETY FOR KIDS

VEHICLE SAFETY TIPS

IN AND NEAR CAR

· A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.

· C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.

· T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

· We know you’re often in a hurry, but before you drive away, take a few seconds to walk all the way around your parked car to check for children.

· Designate a safe spot for children to wait when nearby vehicles are about to move and make sure the drivers can see them.

· Accompany little kids when they get in and out of a vehicle. Hold their hands while walking near moving vehicles or in driveways and parking lots or on sidewalks.

· Make sure to lock your vehicle, including doors and trunk, when you’re not using it. Keep keys and remote entry fobs out of children’s sight and reach.

· Teach kids that trunks are for transporting cargo and are not safe places to play.

· Show older kids how to locate and use the emergency trunk release found in cars manufactured after Sept. 1, 2001. Very young children may not have the strength or ability to open the release bar.

· Keep rear fold-down seats closed to help prevent kids from climbing into the trunk from inside your car.

· If your child is missing, get help and check swimming pools, vehicles and trunks. If your child is locked in a car, get him or her out as quickly as possible and dial 911 immediately. Emergency personnel are trained to evaluate and check for signs of heatstroke.

SCHOOL BUS

· Walk with your kids to the bus stop and wait with them until it arrives. Tell kids to stand at least three giant steps back from the curb as the bus approaches and board the bus one at a time.

· Teach kids to wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting off and never to walk behind the bus.

· If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, he or she should take five giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the bus driver and cross when the driver indicates it’s safe. Teach kids to look left, right and left again before crossing the street.

· Instruct younger kids to use handrails when boarding or exiting the bus. Be careful of straps or drawstrings that could get caught in the door. If your children drop something, they should tell the bus driver and make sure the bus driver is able to see them before they pick it up.

· Drivers should always follow the speed limit and slow down in school zones and near bus stops. Remember to stay alert and look for kids who may be trying to get to or from the school bus.

· Slow down and stop if you’re driving near a school bus that is flashing yellow or red lights. This means the bus is either preparing to stop (yellow) or already stopped (red), and children are getting on or off.

Source: http://www.usa.safekids.org/


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I LIKE THE WORK THAT CSPI IS DOING

Read their latest work here:

Soda Sales Continue Slide; Good News for Public Health Says CSPI
July 25, 2013

Fruits, Vegetables More Affordable Than Packaged Snacks and Sides, Report Finds
July 25, 2013

Berries Over Bugs!
July 24, 2013

Taco Bell to Drop Kids’ Meals
July 22, 2013

7UP To Drop "Antioxidant" Marketing
July 22, 2013

Coke Loses Again as Vitaminwater Case Moves Forward
July 18, 2013

Shaquille O’Neal Hyping 270-Calorie Sodas
July 17, 2013

The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and Food Day Launch Food Education Campaign
July 8, 2013

Long John Silver’s "Big Catch" is Worst Restaurant Meal in America, Says CSPI
July 1, 2013


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ANOTHER KNOCK FOR PEOPLE SKIPPING VACCINATIONS

Takeaway

Skipping DTaP Shot Boosts Pertussis Risk

Study

Researchers found that missing some doses of the diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine increases the risk of whooping cough in young children.

Children (ages 3 to 36 months) who missed three doses of the DTaP vaccine were nearly 19 times more likely to develop pertussis than those appropriately vaccinated, and those who missed four doses were 28 times more likely to develop the disease per Kaiser Permanente Colorado

Source: JAMA Pediatrics.

Undervaccination is an increasing trend, for a variety of reasons, including parental choice. And it is an important contributing factor in recent pertussis outbreaks across the country.


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KIDS EAT THE DARNEST THINGS – BATTERIES/PILLS/MEDS

BATTERIES

Each year in the United States, more than 2,800 kids are treated in emergency rooms after swallowing button batteries. That’s one child every three hours.

· Keep coin lithium battery-controlled devices out of sight and reach of children. These include remote controls, singing greeting cards, digital scales, watches, hearing aids, thermometers, children’s toys, calculators, key fobs, t-light candles, flashing holiday jewelry or decorations all contain button batteries.

· Keep loose batteries locked away, or place a piece of duct tape over the controller to prevent small children from accessing the battery.

· Share this life-saving information with caregivers, friends, family members and sitters. It only takes a minute and it could save a life.

· If you suspect your child has ingested a battery, go to the hospital immediately. Don’t induce vomiting or have your child eat or drink anything until assessed by a medical professional.

· Enter the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (202-625-3333) into your phone right now.

MEDS

Medications are the leading cause of child poisoning. Every year, more than 67,000 children go to an emergency room for medicine poisoning. That’s one child every eight minutes.

· Put medicines up and away and out of sight. Make sure that all medicines, including vitamins and adult medicines, are stored out of reach and out of sight of children. (In 86% of emergency room visits for medicine poisoning, the child got into medicine belonging to an adult.)

· Consider places where kids get into medicine. Kids get into medication in all sorts of places, like in purses and nightstands. (In 67% of cases, the medicine was within reach of a child, such as in a purse, left on a counter or dresser or found on the ground.)

· Consider products you might not think about as medicines. Most parents know to store medicine up and away – or at least the products they consider to be medicine. But they don’t always think about products such as diaper rash remedies or eye drops, which may not seem like medicine but can cause harm.

· Use the dosing device that comes with the medicine. Proper dosing is important, particularly for young children. Use the dosing device that comes with the medicine. Kitchen spoons aren’t all the same, and a teaspoon and tablespoon used for cooking won’t measure the same amount as the dosing device.

· Put the toll-free number for the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) into your home and cell phone. You should also post it near your phone or on your refrigerator for the babysitter. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s nice to have just in case.

Source: http://www.usa.safekids.org/safetytips


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ONE OF THE TOP 5 REASONS OF DEATH THAT IS COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE

WHY IT MATTERS?

Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4 years old. And it’s the third leading cause of death among children. In the United States 3,500 to 4,000 drowning occur on average each year. Many non-fatal drownings result in brain damage and life-long disabilities. Most often children drown in swimming pools and older children and adults in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers.

In 2011, 70% of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of those who drowned, 84% were not wearing a life jacket.

WHY KIDS DROWN?

Lack of swimming ability
Lack of barriers like pool fences
Lack of supervision of young children near pools and other water
Failure to wear personal floatation devices or life jackets
Alcohol use in or near the water

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Never leave your child unattended around water. We know it sounds strict, but there is no room for compromise on this one. Babies can drown in as little as one inch of water.

Put the cell phone away, forget about all the other things you have to do and give young children 100 percent of your attention when they are near or around water.

Empty all tubs, buckets, containers and wading pools immediately after use. Store them upside down and out of children’s reach.

Keep toilet lids closed and use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning. It’s also a good idea to keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed.

Parents have a million things to do, but learning CPR should be on the top of the list. It will give you tremendous peace of mind – and the more peace of mind you have as a parent, the better. Local hospitals, fire departments and recreation departments offer CPR training.

Plano Fire-Rescue’s Water Watcher Tags are tangible reminders to the adults who are tasked with supervising children in or near the water. While wearing the Water Watcher Tag, the adult does not take their eyes off the pool and does not leave the area before handing the tag and the job of supervising the pool off to another adult. Water Watcher Tags may be requested by emailing peggyha or calling 972-941-7421.

Always have your children wear a life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard while on boats, around open bodies of water or when participating in water sports. Make sure the life jacket fits snugly. Have the child make a “touchdown” signal by raising both arms straight up; if the life jacket hits the child’s chin or ears, it may be too big or the straps may be too loose.

A large portion of boating accidents each year involve alcohol consumption by both boat operators and passengers. To keep you and your loved ones safe, it is strongly recommended not to drink alcoholic beverages while boating.

Infants and young kids are at a higher risk for hypothermia, so if you are taking a baby on a boat, just take a few extra precautions to keep your baby warm. If your children seem cold or are shivering, wrap them tightly in a dry blanket or towel.

Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool: They need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.

LEARN MORE:

Check out http://www.usa.safekids.org/water/


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NEWS ALERT: SWIMMING POOLS

A new report discovered something gross in our swimming pools.

Before you take your kid to a pool, be sure it is well maintained and has precautions against such health issues.

Read on and gross out. 🙂

SWIMMING POOLS

A new report says that poop in public pools is common after researchers found genetic material from E. coli — bacteria normally found in the human gut and feces — in 58 percent of pools in the Atlantic area.

“Swimmers frequently introduced fecal material into pools,” the report said, adding that the icky bacteria comes from pool users not showering before diving in and incidents of defecation.

The CDC also found genetic material from bacteria called Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, which can cause skin rashes and ear infections, in 59 percent of pools. Researchers said the bacteria may originate from the environment or swimmers.

While the study included 161 pools around ATL, officials noted their findings may not apply to all pools, but feel there’s little reason to think that contamination or swimmer hygiene practices differ between pools in the study and others throughout the country.

There were no samples that showed E. coli O157:H7, a toxin-producing E. coli strain that causes illness. Two parasites, Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which also spread through feces and cause diarrhea, were found in less than 2 percent of samples.

Chlorine and other disinfectants don’t kill germs instantly. CDC also recommends that parents of young children take children on a bathroom break every hour, or check diapers every 30 to 60 minutes.

Source: http://www.vibe.com/article/cdc-poop-in-pools-common


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SUMMER HEALTH ISSUES IN KIDS

Saw a good article that I believe is worth sharing with our community:

SUMMER HEALTH ISSUES IN KIDS

SMOG/MOLD: More smog and air pollution, high pollen levels and increased mold growth due to high humidity all cause a spike in asthma attacks in summer. Check local air pollution and pollen counts at airnow.gov. Stay indoors, in air conditioning if levels are high.

SWIMMERS EARS: Ear care is especially important during the summer months when heat and humidity can fuel the growth of the bacteria and fungi that can cause swimmer’s ear. To prevent water from getting stuck in the ear canal, dry your ears thoroughly after swimming or showering. Tilt your head so one ear faces down to allow water to escape the ear canal. Then gently pull your ear lobe in several directions to help the water drain out. If the water is still stuck, you can use a hair dryer to remove it —keep the dryer on the lowest heat setting and hold it several inches away from your head. And, never stick a cotton swab or other object in your ear. "Leave the ear wax alone — it protects the lining of the ear from infections such as swimmer’s ear

FOOD POISONING: Prevent food poisoning by keeping perishable foods refrigerated or in a cooler with ice. In temperatures higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit, food should not be left out for more than one hour. In many cases it can lead to diarrhea. Loss of water volume and electrolytes due to a diarrheal illness can cause dehydration and frequently send kids to ERs.

HYPERTHERMIA: Chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, poor circulation and obesity can also hinder a person’s ability to cool down. To prevent heat-related illnesses, avoid exerting yourself outdoors during the hottest hours of the day, and seek air conditioning — on hot days. drink eight to nine glasses of water a day.

HAND FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE: The summer-loving Coxsackie virus causes hand, foot and mouth disease. Infections, which usually affect children younger than ten, can cause fever, sore throat, oral ulcers and small blisters on the hands and feet. Coxsackie is spread person-to-person through saliva, mucous and feces. Symptoms usually go away on their own within a week. A saltwater mouth rinse of 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water may help soothe the pain from mouth ulcers. if your child becomes dehydrated from not drinking or develops a high fever, seek medical help.

LYME DISEASE: Lyme disease peaks during the summer months when people are exposed to ticks in yards and woods. See a doctor if you experience fever, headache, body aches, rash, facial paralysis or arthritis after a tick bite. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can lead to joint, heart and nerve damage. Prevent tick bites by using a repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET on exposed skin, and one that contains the insecticide permethrin on clothing. Always conduct a full-body tick check after coming in from a wooded or bushy area.

POISON IVY: Though you can get a rash from a poison ivy plant at any time of the year (even in the winter when the plant has no leaves) poison ivy is more common in the summer when people are more likely to have contact with the plant on their skin. Painful swelling and itching can be treated at home with hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion and an oral antihistamine. But see a doctor if the rash appears on your eyelids, lips, face or genitals, the skin around the rash appears infected, or you have a fever — prescription medication may be needed.

Source: http://www.livescience.com/


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DANGEROUS CHILD HEALTH MYTHS

MYTHS

Myth: Swimming less than an hour after eating is dangerous.

One study that examined all drownings in the United States found that fewer than one percent of all drownings occur within an hour after the person ate a meal. Much more dangerous, however, is swimming after consuming an alcoholic beverage. According to the CDC, alcohol use and intoxication is associated with up to half of all adolescent and adult deaths that occur while swimming recreationally.

Myth: Sunburns will “fade to a tan.

Sunburns and suntans are completely different. A sunburn means that the tissue in the skin has been overexposed to UV light, causing burning and inflammation. A suntan, on the other hand, is a result of moderate UV exposure, which causes skin cells called melanocytes to release a pigment called melanin. Melanin is a darker pigment that absorbs UV light, protecting the skin from UV damage.

Myth: People with darker skin do not need to use sunscreen.

People with naturally darker skin have more melanin in their skin, so their skin is more prone to absorb damaging UV rays, protecting them from sunburns. However, it is still possible for darker-skinned people to get sunburned when overexposed to the sun.

Myth: Salty sea water is good for cleaning cuts and other wounds.

home-made salt water is good for disinfecting cuts, sea water contains many germs and impurities that can actually cause harm if they enter the body through an open wound or sore. Tropical waters can also host some harsh bacteria, because warmer water encourages bacteria to grow.

Myth: Any type of cooking has the same effect/benefit

Steaming is one of the best ways to capitalize on a vegetable’s taste, color, and most importantly, its nutrients. Vegetables lose nutrients in the water they are cooked in. Healthful (and flavor-conscious!) chefs often save the water (in which vegetables is boiled) to make savory soups and other palatable recipes that require vegetable stock to regain some of the nutrients lost.

Myth: Small doses of adult medicines are safe for children.

Beware: Babies and kids are NOT small adults. Their body metabolizes drugs differently.

Myth: Teething can cause fevers in babies

Fever in a teething baby shouldn’t be written off and medical attention should be sought

Myth: Certain videos can help babies learn sooner

AAP says that the educational merit of media for children younger than 2 years remains unproven

Myth: Walkers are a safe way to help babies walk earlier

Remember, a baby in a walker can quickly and unexpectedly approach a staircase

Myth: Crib bumpers are a safe way to protect babies’ heads while they sleep

Risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) from crib bumpers is high enough that the AAP recommends all soft bedding, including bumpers, be removed from an infant’s crib.

Myth: Use breast milk to treat an ear infection

Breast milk does have some antibodies in it. But it also has lots of sugars in it that bacteria love to grow on.

Myth: Babies need water when it’s hot

Not true. Babies, like children and adults, need to stay hydrated. Use Electrolytes.

For more such tips, check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/naturalpediatrics


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ANTIDOTE TO THE DEADLIEST KILLER….MOSQUITOES

Mosquitoes are the deadliest creatures on Earth. They carry threatening diseases like malaria, West Nile and encephalitis.

Interesting stats about Mosquitoes:

• studies show that mosquitoes prefer to bite men over women;

• overweight people are at greater risk.

• Mosquitoes can hone in on carbon dioxide emitted from breath and skin from over 75 feet away.

• Scientists estimate that genetics account for about 85% of our attractiveness to mosquitoes

WHAT DOESN’T WORK

· Don’t use The Bug Zapper. A University of Delaware published a study showed that out of nearly 14,000 insects killed by six zappers in one summer, only 31 were biting fliers.

· Avoid Lemon Eucalyptus Oil. It is not recommended for young kids.

· Consumer Reports does not recommend using products that combine sunscreen with insect repellent.

· Avoid Avon Skin So Soft as a insect repellent. It protects against mosquitoes for only ~23 minutes.

· A small study from 2002 found that citronella-based repellents keep bugs away for about 20 minutes or less.

· Avoid clip on mosquito-repellent devices

· Avoid Perfumes: Female mosquitoes normally feed on flower nectar when not trying to reproduce – avoid smelling like one!

WHAT WORKS

1. Mosquitoes breed in Standing water. Clearing your home gutters of clogs, filling in sunken parts of your lawn and regularly change the water in your bird bath or kiddie pool. Inspect basements and crawl spaces. If they are flooded, drain as quickly as possible. Fix the screen on both windows and doors to block mosquitoes from coming indoor.

2. Expose as little skin as possible. Certain species of mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors like black, blue, and red. And they are all attracted to heat. So stay cool by wearing lighter colors.

3. Try to avoid being out at Dawn or dusk when they are most active

4. Position yourself near ceiling fans on patios, porches or open-air restaurants that have them. Strategically place fans around your deck or patio to get a good bug-free breeze going.

5. Plant perennial Thai lemon grass contains citronella oil.

6. Report Dead Birds to Local Authorities. Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile virus is circulating between birds and the mosquitoes in an area.

7. If you are a mosquito magnet, select blueberries, apples, watermelon, cucumbers, cabbage, and green peppers, which are relatively low in potassium, instead of potatoes, prunes, raisins, spinach, bananas, lima beans, and acorn squash, all of which are particularly high in potassium.

CHEMICAL OPTION: We don’t recommend this either:

1. DEET. According to the CDC, insect repellents that contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or picaridin (KBR 3023) usually provide longer protection than insect repellents containing different active ingredients.

Best Repellent per Consumer Report:

• Off Deep Woods Sportsman II,

• Cutter Backwoods Unscented,

• Off FamilyCare Smooth & Dry and

• 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8.

Concentrations up to 100% DEET can be purchased in the U.S., however Canada has barred sales of any repellent containing more than 30% DEET due to its toxicity. Use 30% DEET solution and reapply every 3-4 hrs. Like SPF, higher concentrations of DEET are no more effective for preventing mosquito bites than lower concentrations. DEET must be reapplied every three hours for maximum safety. When used in conjunction with sunscreen, DEET should always be applied to skin first before sun protection. DEET lowers the effectiveness of sunscreen;

OTHER NATURAL ALTERNATIVES:

• Garlic makes an semi-effective natural mosquito repellant. Mix one part garlic juice with five parts water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spray on self as needed.

• Use Catnip: Nepetalactone in catnip seems to repels mosquitoes more effectively than DEET.

OUR RECOMMENDATION:

• Try Kids Herbal Armor which was voted "Best Gear of the Year" by National Geographic. Reapply every two hours. It is Water and sweat resistant and non-greasy. But the smell is strong. Also it doesn’t work with all bugs

More information:

The American Mosquito Control Association can provide advice, and their book Organization for Mosquito Control is a useful reference.


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COSMETICS AND KIDS

Before you walk down the Health and Beauty aisle for a lip gloss or shampoo for your child, take a peek at this from the Cosmetology School. Pretty eye opening


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HOT WEATHER SAFETY FOR KIDS

1. Keep them out of direct sunlight. Let them play out early in the day or after 7pm.

Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when playing out in the sun.

Wear hat and coolers if necessary.

2. When they are out, make them drink plenty of water and electrolytes. Electrolytes are basically salts.

We don’t recommend Gatorade, Powerade or any other –ades.

Instead use coconut water or make your own:

· 2 lemon halves squeezed into a glass

· 2 orange halves added

· Squirt of honey

· Four shakes of salt

· Fill the rest of the glass with water

3. Wear light colored clothes. When you get hot you sweat — but it’s not enough to just sweat. To cool off, you need that sweat to evaporate. It’s evaporation that drains the heat from your body. To help the sweat evaporate, you want air to flow over your skin — as much of your skin as possible. Think light and loose clothing. Black or dark color clothes absorb heat. If you are planning to be outdoor a lot, use light color clothes, preferably something that lets moisture escape from the skin.

4. Avoid strenuous activities during peak heat time. Or you could come down with a heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat stroke can kill or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Confusion, Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration), Dizziness, Fainting, Fatigue, Headache, Muscle cramps, Nausea, Pale skin, Profuse sweating or Rapid heartbeat. If you, or anyone else, has symptoms of heat exhaustion, it’s essential to immediately get out of the heat and rest, preferably in an air-conditioned room. If you can’t get inside, try to find the nearest cool and shady place. Other recommended strategies include:

· Drink plenty of fluid (avoid caffeine and alcohol).

· Remove any tight or unnecessary clothing.

· Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.

· Apply other cooling measures such as fans or ice towels.

5. Go to Cool places with refrigerated air. Besides your home AC, Malls, City library, Supermarkets and shelters provide some relief. Other places include: http://northtexaskids.com/ntkblog/index.php/beat-the-summer-heat-at-these-dfw-hot-spots/