Playing at the playground is a rite of passage, but it doesn’t come without risks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hospital emergency departments see more than 20,000 children aged 14 and younger for playground-relatedtraumatic brain injurieseach year. The National Safety Council offers these suggestions for evaluating a playground: Check out ground… read on >
Window blind cords are potential choking and safety hazards for young children. Nearly 17,000 children under age 6 were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for window blind-related injuries from 1990 through 2015, data published recently in the journal Pediatrics found. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions to help keep kids safer: Blinds with… read on >
Homework may not be the number one priority when your child is being treated for cancer. But school shouldn’t be forgotten. Many children with cancer consider school and spending time with other kids as a sign of normalcy, the American Cancer Society says. The society offers these suggestions for keeping up with school during treatment:… read on >
An analysis of urine samples from roughly 300,000 California women finds that more than 7 percent used marijuana while pregnant. What’s more, rates of pot use in pregnancy have steadily risen over the years — from 4.2 percent of women in 2009 to 7.1 percent just seven years later. That’s according to the new report… read on >
Fights among your children can start for a variety of reasons, and sibling rivalry can take root even before your second child is born, according to experts at KidsHealth from the Nemours Foundation. Petty squabbles can escalate into all-out war because of jealousy, a sense of competition between siblings (and not only for your attention),… read on >
All women go through menopause, when the menstrual periods stop and the child-bearing years end. Symptoms may emerge all at once, or may be mild at first and progress over time. The U.S. Office on Women’s Health says symptoms of menopause include: No menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. Hot flashes. Trouble sleeping. Mood swings… read on >
A girl who gets her first menstrual period early in life — possibly as young as 7 — has a greater risk for developing depression and antisocial behaviors that last at least into her 20s, a new study suggests. “Girls who go through puberty earlier than peers tend to be more psychologically vulnerable during adolescence,”… read on >
Boys and girls of all ages have a fascination with laser toys. But it’s important to use these devices safely to avoid injury. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the concentrated light from lasers can cause serious eye injuries, even blindness. The agency suggests how to use these toys safely: Never aim a laser… read on >
A stomach bug can quickly put a damper on your Christmas Day festivities. If you’re teaching children how to prepare favorite family recipes, include important lessons about food safety, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. The last thing you want to give your family is a foodborne illness. Here are some suggestions from the pediatricians’… read on >
Family harmony and talk of politics can be combustible holiday companions, a therapist contends. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 62 percent of respondents said politics was the topic they dread most when relatives get together at the holidays. And nearly one-third said they planned to avoid the subject. No matter how you vote, it’s… read on >
