There’s no doubt about it: Most children love art! But each year, children end up in emergency rooms due to accidents and mishaps while working on art projects at home.

Did you know that even those art supplies labeled as ‘non-toxic’ can have harmful effects if a child uses them in an unintended manner? That’s why adequate supervision is a must when allowing children to do art projects at home. It’s a good idea to keep art supplies such as paint and glue in a cabinet that’s out of reach of the youngest children. Another preventative measure: When selecting supplies, look for those designed for children that have the AP or CL seal from the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI).

While your children are working on an art project, be on the lookout for hazards in the “workshop.” You may not think of your kitchen or living room as a production zone. Even so, when you’re applying glue and paint and cutting and assembling paper and other materials, it often involves chemicals and sharp objects. Chemicals can be absorbed by a child in a number of different ways. That’s why you’ll want to discourage children from applying paint to their skin unless it’s paint specifically for that type of use. And don’t serve a meal or snacks during an art project. Encourage children to thoroughly wash their hands after working with art supplies.

Don’t forget that babies and young children experience life as one long tasting adventure. Whatever is nearby may go directly into the mouth at any time. Preschoolers in particular have a penchant for putting objects in their mouths. And just like little children, animals can get into trouble in a matter of seconds. Rover may get curious and decide to sniff that glue-laden spoon you just set down on the table. Taking the dog to the vet on the spur of the moment can definitely put the chill on the fun.

For more information about art supply safety, check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Art and Craft Safety Guide.

Like it or not, winter is fast approaching. Once you start the furnace, it not only starts heating your home, but drying out the air. That’s where humidifiers come in. Here are all the benefits the humble humidifier can provide all winter long:

Faster healing times. Whether you’re suffering from the flu, a cold or even just allergies, a humidifier can help you feel better faster by keeping your throat and nasal passages moist.

Softer skin. Dry indoor air can cause your skin and lips to crack and flake in winter. By sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom, you’ll wake up with more moisturized skin.

Less snoring. By increasing the amount of atmospheric water vapor in your home, a humidifier can prevent your throat from drying out, leading to less snoring and improved sleeping conditions.

Diminished static electricity. In the winter, it’s hard to avoid the shocks caused by static electricity. A humidifier can reduce static electricity.

While humidifiers can be a great wintertime help, it’s important to keep yours clean. Here are some tips for keeping your humidifier clean.

 

Did you know that most accidents involving children happen close to home? Kids love playgrounds, bounce houses and bicycles, but they all can lead to serious injury. Here are some ways you can keep your kids safe:

Playgrounds. Each year, more than 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds nationwide, according to the National Program for Playground Safety. Review this checklist so you know what to look for before letting your children use playground equipment.

Bounce houses. Every 45 minutes, a child is rushed to an emergency room due to injuries from an inflatable house, or ‘bounce house.’ Think twice about letting a small child inside a crowded inflatable play area. Check out this video to see why the medical community is so concerned.

Bicycles, skateboards and scooters. If you’re riding anything at all with wheels, you and your children should always wear a helmet. Period. Accidents on bicycles, skateboards, scooters and while skating can cause a wide array of injuries, including catastrophic brain injuries.

Sometimes we take the desire to be healthier and turn it into a large-scale project that is too overwhelming to tackle. Instead, we should focus on small aspects we can change. Consider these small ways you can become healthier from this moment:

Are you drinking enough water? Your body needs water to function properly. Keep drinking water through the day to stay hydrated and alert. Try to also limit the amount of soda and caffeine that you drink.

Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? These foods have vitamins and minerals that are necessary for our body to function properly. If you aren’t eating enough of these, consider swapping out that processed snack for a bowl of fresh fruit or a plate of crispy veggies.

Are you getting enough sleep? Everything seems worse when we are tired – including our lack of healthy choices through the day. Make sure you are taking the time to actually give your body a rest with proper sleep.

Are you getting enough exercise? Daily exercise helps your body and your mind. Just make sure you stay active in ways you enjoy. You also will want to mix up your exercise routines so you don’t get bored.

Are you taking enough time to simply quiet your mind? Even a few minutes of quiet can calm you. Simply pause in your day, take in deep breaths and be in the moment.

Are you listening to your body when you eat? Try smaller meals throughout the day instead large meals just a couple times a day. Stop eating when you are full, and if something doesn’t make you feel good, take it out of your diet.

Are your friends adding joy to your life? If your friends are negative, they will only add negativity and stress into your life. It is OK to let a friend go or distance yourself from one for a while.

Are you saying no to those activities that don’t add to your life? It is OK to decline invitations to events or to say “No” when asked to take on more responsibilities. Make sure you are controlling your time and energy in ways that keep you healthy.

Here’s hoping that adopting even one or two of these changes may set you on the right course to a healthier you!

Your doctor isn’t the only one involved in keeping you healthy – you are too!  Let’s look at some ways you can proactively take charge and further advocate for your health care as you work with your doctor.

Do you know what doctors and procedures your insurance covers? This is important to know so you are aware of what to expect. You don’t want to go to a specialist or a lab appointment to find out they are out-of-network and you will be stuck with a bigger bill. Additionally, preventative procedures are typically covered at a higher level, so that should encourage you to stay on top of necessary tests!

Did you know you can ask for copies of your medical records? Your doctor’s office keeps your medical records on file, but it is also a good idea to maintain these records on your own! You never know when you want to review a record or send a copy to a specialist or another doctor. If you don’t want to keep piles of papers, ask your doctor or insurance plan about options for accessing your records electronically.

When you are at your doctor’s appointment, ask questions! Even better, prepare your questions before you go to the appointment, especially because time is usually limited and nerves may throw off what you want to remember. If you aren’t pleased with the responses, diagnosis or even just want your medical information reviewed by another doctor, it is okay to seek out a second opinion.

Being proactive in your health care doesn’t stop after those appointments. It also includes keeping an eye on your medical bills. When you get that bill, make sure it is accurate. If you notice something that doesn’t look right, call and ask the provider for an explanation. Additionally, make sure your bill and your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) match.