Healthy Children

What is the best way to keep a fire under control?Whether you're having a bonfire or curling up on your couch in front of your fireplace, there are several safety precautions to be aware of. Even though you may not realize it, there is a proper way to put out a fire to prevent smoke, burns, or the fire from relighting. One of the most important steps you can take to protect your family against fire is to install smoke alarms and keep them in good working order. You also may want to consider having your chimney checked before having a fire, making sure the flue or damper is open, cracking a window while the fire is burning, using dry wood, never leaving the fire unattended, installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and minimizing your child's chance of burns by installing screens. Another thing you might want to take precaution on is boiling hot water over the hot stove. Children are unaware of how hot the water and the stove can get, so they may try to touch it without realizing the dangers of the burns that can result. What are some other ways you can prevent a fire and burns from happening? Listen in as Cori Cross, MD, shares important fire and burn prevention information to keep you and your family safe.

What kind of ingredients are hazardous to your child's health?Recently, companies have made using laundry detergent easier and less messy by creating individual laundry pods. Even though the individual size pods can make storing and using more efficient, it can be a huge hazard for your children. According to Poison Help, in just 2015 along (through August 31), poison centers received reports of 8,318 exposures to highly concentrated packets of laundry detergent by children five and younger. Another concern is all the household cleaning products that you think are securely put away under the sink, but your child might easily get in to. Many kids might eat, inhale, or break open cleaning products, which can get on skin and in eyes. Health problems can range from wheezing, vomiting, abrasions, and extreme fatigue. How can you prevent your child from getting into the laundry pods and other household cleaning items? Listen in as Cori Cross, MD, shares how you can prevent your child from getting into laundry pods and other cleaning items.

At what age does your child no longer need a car seat?Even though your baby is growing, it doesn't mean you need to get rid of your car seat. Some parents may think that infants are the only ones who need protection with a car seat. However, back in 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics revised child passenger safety recommendations. One of the revisions increased the minimum age that children should ride rear-facing in infant and convertible seats, from one to two years old. It also revised the age children should remain in the rear seat from 12 to 13 years. What do you need to know in order to transition your children from car seats to seatbelts safely? Benjamin Hoffman, MD, FAAP, joins Melanie Cole, MS, to share how you can safely transition your children from car seats to seatbelts.

Why are car seats so important?One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Proper use of car safety seats helps keep children safe. But, with so many different car safety seats on the market, it's no wonder many parents find the choices overwhelming. The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child's age and size and the type of vehicle you have. How do you know which car seat is best for your child? Listen in as Benjamin Hoffman, MD, FAAP, shares why your child needs a car seat, as well as information for choosing the most appropriate car safety seat for your child.

Throughout the years, the rates of obesity and food insecurity have drastically increased.Throughout the years, the rates of obesity and food insecurity have drastically increased. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 17 percent (12.7 million) children and adolescents between the ages of 2-19 are obese. Obesity is a very complex disorder that is more than just a cosmetic issue. Besides having excessive amounts of skin, you also increase your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and many other health issues. The USDA defines food insecurity as, "consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year." What role does obesity play in food insecurity? Christopher Bolling, MD, shares everything you need to know about food insecurity and how it plays a role in obesity.

Why is childhood obesity a health epidemic?More than 23 million children and teenagers in the U.S. are obese or overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic. Throughout the month of September, doctors and parents work together to work towards preventing and treating childhood obesity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), obesity leads to shorter life spans, lower quality of life, and numerous chronic medical problems, many of which now begin during childhood. What are ways you can help prevent obesity in your child? Listen in as Christopher Bolling, MD, shares how you can help prevent childhood obesity.

What should be your plan if disaster strikes?It's hard to predict when a natural disaster will occur; but, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared for when it does. There have been several natural disasters that have occurred over the past decade that have left a devastating mark on families. Many families lose their homes, other family members, and resources. Is there a way to plan ahead for a natural disaster? David Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how you can prepare for a natural disaster.

How can you talk to your children about natural disasters without scaring them?Talking to your children about natural disasters may not seem like a priority, but when disaster strikes, panic can set in and emotions can run high. It may not make much sense to your child, depending on how old they are, but it's still important to let them know the importance of being safe during a disaster. What are the safety precautions you should discuss with your children? David Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss how you can talk to your children about preparing for a natural disaster.

Did you know there are more than 30 million people in the U.S. who wear contacts?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has named August 24-28, 2015, as contact lens health week. Health officials are advocating the importance of creating healthy habits for healthy eyes. According to the CDC, there are more than 30 million people in the U.S. who wear contacts. Ten percent of contact lens wearers are under 18, 15 percent are between the ages of 18-24, 50 percent are between 25-44, and 25 percent are 45 or older. What should contact lens wearers know about creating healthy habits for their eyes? Jeffrey J. Walline, OD, PhD, shares the importance of knowing the safety of contact lenses and how you can properly care for your eyes while wearing contacts.

Did you know that there are about 5 million children in the United States who wet the bed?Even though most children are toilet trained between the ages of two and four, some children may not be able to stay dry at night until they are even older. It's important to understand that while you're potty training your child, every child develops at his or her own rate. In fact, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 20 percent of five-year-olds, 10 percent of seven-year-olds, and five percent of 10-year-olds may still wet the bed. Most children wet their beds during toilet training. Even after they stay dry at night for a number of days or even weeks, they may start wetting again at night. If this happens to your child, simply go back to training pants at night and try again another time. The problem will usually disappear as your child gets older. However, if your child reaches school age and still have problems wetting the bed, it most likely means they have never developed nighttime bladder control and you may need a different approach. How can you help your child quit wetting the bed? Wendy Sue Swanson, MD shares how you can put an end to bed-wetting.