My kids all love to play with sparklers on July 4th. I have heard of people getting injured from them. Are they safe?
Almost everyone uses sparklers on July 4th; however, they are not as safe as you might suspect. The tip of the sparkler is actually very hot - almost 1,000 degrees. So it is easy for a child to be burned if you are not careful. Make sure to tell the children this information, so they can handle the sparkler appropriately. Also, with all of the recent wild fires, make sure you dispose of the sparklers in a
Second Hand Smoke and Children
by Tom Seman MD FAAP June 27th, 2011 | Pediatrician on Call
My mother-in-law, who babysits my one year-old, smokes. Although she only has her cigarettes outside when my son is there, she smokes in the house the rest of the time. Should I be concerned?
Second hand smoke is increasingly cited as a causative agent for a variety of issues. Children in a household with a smoker are at greater risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), asthma, and ear infections to name a few. Although the greatest risk is when there is active smoking going on while the child is in the house, the literature shows that there is still
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Second hand smoke is increasingly cited as a causative agent for a variety of issues. Children in a household with a smoker are at greater risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), asthma, and ear infections to name a few. Although the greatest risk is when there is active smoking going on while the child is in the house, the literature shows that there is still
Strep Throat
by MPK December 17th, 2010 | Diseases
In the midst of winter, there always seems to be a barrage of colds and viruses among school-age children. Many of these illnesses are viral and require not much more than rest and hydration to cure them. However, sometimes that sore throat is a bacterial infection, known as strep throat. After receiving the official diagnosis from your doctor and the antibiotics from your pharmacist, what else can be done?
Dr. Thomas Seman, President of North Shore Pediatrics, offers the following suggestions:
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Dr. Thomas Seman, President of North Shore Pediatrics, offers the following suggestions:
- Drink cold liquids to soothe the throat
- Alternately, drink hot liquids to soothe the throat
- Gargle with antiseptic mouthwash
- Take NSAIDs, such as
Tweens, Teens, and Calcium
by Editorial Team December 10th, 2010 | Children's Health
If you watch most classic '50s television shows, you might notice the beverage all family members drink at dinner- milk. While many families still encourage milk as the beverage of choice with younger children, it tends to be a beverage that's popularity fades with time. While it's not scientific data, most of the families with teens and tweens that I know aren't consuming milk with dinner, and probably not any other meals either. While they may choose healthy alternatives, such as water, they are reducing their intake of calcium. So, what's a parent to do?
First, arm yourself with data.Â
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First, arm yourself with data.Â
Staying Home
by MPK November 8th, 2010 | Children's Health
It is the second week of November, and the school year is well under way. Students have had the opportunity to learn a great deal. . . and to share and spread germs. As many parts of the country are experiencing cooler temperatures, windows are closed, making it easier for those germs to be trapped inside the school. With this fine mix of ingredients, many schools will see increases in the number of illnesses and possibly an increase in the amount of students staying home.
As a parent, what can you do to help keep your child healthy and prevent
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As a parent, what can you do to help keep your child healthy and prevent