Safety
Suicide – It’s Not Just An “Adult” Problem
Every year during Well-Child-Checkups starting at age 11, preteens and teenagers are given a screening form for depression and anxiety. Many practices (including my own) use a screen called PHQ-9. This short form asks patients to rate how often they…
Keeping Kids Safe – Open Water Safety Tips
It’s May, which means the temperatures are rising, the sun is (usually) shining, and water activities are ramping up. From now until Labor Day – or longer, depending on where you live – families will flock to water as a…
Tipping Point – Avoiding Furniture Injuries in Climbing Toddlers
Starting in early toddlerhood, around 15-18 months of age, I begin to ask about climbing. Toddlers are amazing climbers, and the world (including the inside of their homes) is their playground. They quickly figure out how to get on the…
Safe Use of Essential Oils in Children
The use of essential oils has been rapidly gaining in popularity over the past few years, and they are now widely available in pharmacies, supermarkets, and online. We have discussed the use of essential oils in aromatherapy previously: Aromatherapy and…
Tips for Kitchen Safety During the Holiday Season
Once again, it is the favorite time of year for so many people in our country. At the end of the year, the holiday season is a whirlwind period of time, during which many families gather for meals and celebrations.…
Violence in the Media and Effects on Youth
Has your teen watched the new Netflix hit show “Squid Game” yet? Hopefully not. Despite it’s TV-MA rating – meaning that it is not recommended for viewers under 17 years of age – the show is finding its way to…
Heat-Related Illness in Young Athletes
It’s nearing the end of summer, which means high school sports will begin intensive practicing if they haven’t already. Unfortunately, the heat of the summer is still present and strenuous physical activity during this time can cause significant physical illness.…
Celebrating July 4th Safely – A Closer Look at Fireworks
Our nation’s birthday celebration is a time for summer fun with family. Children play in sprinklers and have watermelon seed spitting contests, families attend parades and sporting events. And to cap it all off, there are fireworks. The availability of…