Posts Tagged "memory makers"

Recognize An Allergy Emergency!

© uwimages

© uwimages

One in 13 kids is now affected by a food allergy—a 100 percent jump from just 15 years ago—meaning that one or two of the kids in any given setting is allergic. While some have had only mild reactions, such as an itchy mouth, hives, or an upset stomach, 40 percent of allergic kids have had a severe reaction, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, which usually involves symptoms such as a rash, hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, vomiting, abnormal heartbeat, and trouble breathing.

These are things children might do or say if they are experiencing anaphylaxis—which should warrant an injection of epinephrine, if available, and a call to 911—according to experts at the nonprofit Food Allergy Research & Education.

CHILDREN AGE 2 AND UNDER MIGHT…

  • Put their hands in their mouth

  • Pull or scratch their tongue

  • Make a hoarse or squeaky noise

  • Scratch their ears (or behind them)

OLDER KIDS MAY SAY…

  • “My mouth feels funny.”

  • “There’s something stuck in my throat.”

  • “My lips feel tight.”

  • “My tongue is hot (or burning).”

  • “My mouth (or tongue) itches.”

  • “It feels like there’s hair on my tongue.”

  • “It feels like there are bugs in my ears.”

Awareness is the best defense!

Adapted from Parents Magazine, September 2014.

 

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The DO’s and DON’Ts of Internet Safety for Kids

You taught your child to look both ways before she crosses the street. You strap her bike helmet on securely every time she goes for a ride, and you buckle her seatbelt before you take off in the car.

And that’s exactly why you should never let her venture into the world of the Internet without taking proper safety measures. Follow these do’s and don’ts for the computer, cell phone, and tablet use to help make the web a safe environment for your child.

© Konstantin Yuganov

© Konstantin Yuganov

Do

Surf together. When you spend time with your child online, you can oversee her activities and talk with her when a potentially dangerous situation arises. Make sure the devices she uses are in a common area of your home so they are in your view.

Keep personal information private. Teach your child never to share her name, address, phone number, or any passwords or photos online.

Communicate. Make sure your child knows to tell a parent or a teacher if she feels uncomfortable about anything she sees online.

Don’t

Trust blindly. Educational programs and apps are not necessarily risk-free. Test them out before you let your child use them. Is there advertising? Can she click a button and accidentally make a purchase? Use parental controls and pay close attention to the apps she uses.

Use public chat rooms. Teach your child that, just as in real life, it’s not safe to talk to or “friend” strangers. Keep her online chatting to friends and family members you know.

Bend the rules. Your child should not make purchases or download apps without your permission. Make sure she knows the rule is that Mom or Dad has to be the one clicking “buy,” “download,” or “install.”

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