So, why is it that when your child comes home with the flu a few days before Christmas, or your toddler drips a runny nose all December long, or your 8-year old steps out of sight for 1 second while you are Christmas shopping, that your heart begins to race and you worry about keeping your child healthy and safe? Well, that's because it's winter, and while the holidays are a time for celebration and joy, illness still makes its way into our homes and children, yes as horrible as it may seem, children are still kidnapped, harmed, and cruelly abused even during the holiday season. In fact, during this holiday season over 3,000 children will be victims of child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma City alone. This is a scary number, and one that we should all focus on when considering where our kids are and what they are doing during this time of year. So, here's some tips on not just keeping your kids healthy during the flu and cold season, but keeping them safe as well. First, let's talk about taking care of those runny noses and upset bellies:
-Make sure your kids are always washing their hands with antibacterial soap for at least 60 seconds each time. Hand washing is important after all kinds of activities, including using the restroom, after they have been outside, before eating, after being out in public, etc.
-Teach your child to keep his/her hands away from his/her face. Touching of the mouth, nose, or eyes can all spread germs that your child might be carrying or put germs on them from the rest of the world. A good rule is just in general, helping them to keep their hands away from their face.
-While getting vaccinations is a personal choice for everyone, and each parent should discuss vaccines with their healthcare providers and do their own research, now is the time of year when vaccinations are often given. Consider the facts and talk with multiple sources to determine if vaccines are the right choice for you and your child.
-Help your child boost his/her natural immunity by eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise, even in the colder weather. Lots of fruits and veggies, with high vitamin content are extremely important this time of year. Also, make sure they are drinking plenty of liquids. Orange juice and water are are key liquids to staying healthy. Stay away from sugary juices and sodas.
-In addition to eating and acting healthy, ensure that your children are getting plenty of rest. This helps their bodies to recover from a long day and helps to strengthen immunity to common illnesses.
-Also, if your child seems to have a persistent cough, keep a humidifier running during the night or at naps. This can help to calm a cough and lessen mucous thickening, causing your child to be congested.
-Dress your children appropriately. The weather in Oklahoma is constantly changing, so make sure your kids dress in layers to be both cool enough while at school, and warm enough when they have to step outside for recess, chores, or to catch the bus.
-Lastly, know when to call the doctor. If your child is running a temperature or just not right, be sure to make a visit to the doctor before they become extremely ill. Your child's weakened immune system may just need that extra boost from antibiotics, or even just some healthy advise from a physician.
Okay, so we've covered a little bit about keeping your children healthy. Now, let's talk about keeping them safe. During the holidays there are plenty of activities that can be an endangerment to your child, including crowds at holiday events or during shopping, playing on the slippery surfaces of ice and snow, accepting rides from teenage friends in inclement weather, etc. It is important as a parent, to keep all these events in mind. Here are some holiday tips for keeping your kids safe:
-Establish rules for young children before a family outing. Whether your rules consist of always holding an adult's hand, never being more than 2 steps away from an adult at all times, or the buddy system for your older children, be sure to establish these before you leave the house.
-Talk about never leaving places, such as the mall with strangers, and discuss "stranger-danger" with your young children. Talk to your children about a meeting place if you get separated, and show them what a "trusted adult" looks like for each location (store clerk, police officer, etc.)
-Have your children wear bright colors when you know you are going to be somewhere that is overcrowded.
-The holidays involve a high crime rate for robbery, so instruct your children, especially your older children to never open the front door before checking who it is and checking with you about answering it.
-When playing out in the cold and snow, make sure your kids are within earshot or eye sight and that they have helmets on if they are skiing, snowboarding, and in some cases sledding - especially if you live in a hilly area.
-Make sure your teenage children know not to ride with other teenagers without asking your permission on snowy days. Over-confident teenage drivers and less than predictable conditions on the road can be a recipe for car accidents and disaster. Avoid these situations by driving your own teenagers around or allocating them rides with trusted adults.
These are just a few tips for keeping your kids healthy and safe this winter. Watch for more tips throughout the month on our Facebook and Twitter pages (@fambuildersok). Also, be sure to follow our 'Winter' and 'Christmas' boards on Pinterest for fun winter ideas, and health and safety tips. Enjoy your kids and enjoy your week!
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