HealthyLife Articles

Category: Family Life

Forget The ‘Perfect’ Family

FAMILY LIFE

Real world families

Though television shows may portray happy families, every family has disagreements and conflicts. Spouses and partners must work hard to maintain a healthy relationship. This can be difficult, even for happy couples. Disagreements between parents and children are also bound to happen.

Expect problems, obstacles and arguments. The solution is not to avoid these things. Rather, it’s to learn how to work through them. If you have ongoing problems with your spouse or kids, talk to your doctor. They may recommend seeing a counselor or family therapist. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.

Controlling your kids

Many parents believe that what their kids do is a direct result of their parenting. This can put a heavy burden on parents. Remember that children are individuals and may do things that you’ve taught them not to do. This doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a parent.

Your job is to show each child that they are loved and accepted. Help them learn ways they can succeed, teach them respect for others and help them see their place in the world. This is a huge task, and there’s no “right way” that works for every child. Although you can influence and shape your children, ultimately you cannot control them.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Teen Driver ‘Danger Zones’

FAMILY LIFE

Every day, six teens are killed in car crashes. But many of these injuries and deaths can be prevented. Know the eight “danger zones” of teen driving to help keep them safe.

1.Inexperience.Make sure your teen gets at least 30 to 50 hours of driving practice with an adult. Practice at different times and in different places.

2.Teen passengers.Limit your teen’s passengers for at least the first six months. Keep the number of passengers at zero or one.

3.Nighttime driving.Limit their nighttime driving for at least the first six months.

4.Not using seat belts.Tell them everyone buckles up. Always.

5.Distracted driving.Don’t play with the radio or eating while driving. And absolutely NO cell phones.

6.Drowsy driving.Don’t let them drive when they might be tired. Make sure they get enough sleep.

7.Reckless driving.Teach them to leave space between cars and obey speed limits and traffic laws.

8.Impaired driving.Stress that alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even one drink is too many.

What is distracted driving?

Anything that takes your attention away from driving is a distraction. This includes:

* Looking at a map or directions

* Eating

* Talking on the phone

* Sending a text message or looking at email

When you send or read a text message, you take your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. This is long enough to go the length of a football field at 55 mph.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
10 Action Steps To Keep Foods Safe To Eat

Home Safety

1. Separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods when you shop for, prepare, or store foods.

2. Wash your hands before you handle foods, Use clean utensils and clean surfaces when you prepare foods.

3. Rinse raw produce, such as fruits and vegetables, thoroughly under running tap water before eating, cutting, or cooking. Even if you will peel the produce, it should still be washed first.

4. Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers with a clean produce brush.

5. Dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel.

6. Read and follow the instructions on package labels to store and handle foods safely.

7. Thaw frozen foods in the fridge or in cold water. Use the microwave if you are cooking the food right away.

8. Cook foods to a safe temperature. See a complete list atfoodsafety.gov/keep/charts/index.html.

9. Keep hot foods higher than 140ºF. Keep cold foods at 40ºF or lower. Bacteria grow rapidly in the “danger zone” between 40ºF and 140ºF.

10. Eat cooked foods or refrigerate them within two hours. If the temperature is 90ºF or higher, eat or refrigerate them within one hour – or toss them out.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Home Safety 2

Home Safety

Keeping your home safe takes planning. Get checklists of what to do for all areas of your home.

The number one cause of unintended deaths in the home is poisoning. This is from drugs, solids and liquid substances, gases and vapors, etc. The 2nd leading cause of unintended deaths in the home or a group residence is from falls.

To help prevent falls, use safety rails and mats and nonskid rugs. Keep pathways clear of ice and clutter.

Install smoke alarms as advised by your city’s or county’s code. Check smoke alarms once a month to see that they still work.

Keep all poisons out of children’s reach. Put child-resistant latches on cabinet doors. Follow use and storage instructions on product labels. Install carbon monoxide detectors, too.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Use Ladders Safely

Home Safety

Follow safety tips to keep you from an injury sustained on a ladder.

* Make sure your ladder is long enough for you to reach the job without standing on the top three steps or overextending your body.

* Check the ladder for cracks or weak spots before you use it. Metal ladders should have nonskid steps and footings. (Don’t paint a ladder; you’ll hide defects.)

* Make sure the soles of your shoes or boots are dry and have enough tread to prevent slipping.

* Always steady a ladder on firm ground or a flat board.

* Never place a ladder in front of a door that someone may open.

* Wear tools on a belt or keep them in your pocket so you can keep your hands free when climbing up or down a ladder.

* To avoid losing your balance while standing on a ladder, don’t lean too far back or to the side.

* Don’t use a ladder outdoors on a very windy day.

* To avoid electrocution, don’t use metal ladders near power lines.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Helping Kids Make Health Decisions

FAMILY LIFE

Children can learn how to be a part of their own health care. This can start when children are young, but it’s never too late. Here are some ways to empower them to make medical decisions.

From ages 5 to 10 years old, kids can talk with the doctor at their appointments.

Your child’s doctor should talk to your child when it’s appropriate. They can use language the child will understand.

Once your child is 11 years old, let them do most of the talking at the doctor’s office.

Ask your child if they want you in the room during appointments. Encourage them to ask the doctor questions about their health.

Teenagers can take the lead in their doctor appointments. Talk with them about their health conditions and medications so they can discuss them with their doctor.

Teach your teen how to schedule a doctor’s appointment and call for a medication refill. These are skills they will need when they leave home.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Weekly Family Meetings

FAMILY LIFE

A weekly family meeting is a time to be together, check in, and address any issues that arise.

* Make the meeting fun: Plan a special dessert to enjoy. Create a relaxed mood with special lighting or comfy pillows.

* Have an agenda: While you don’t want the meeting to be too formal, you should have a schedule to keep you on task.

* Get everyone involved: Let people take turns leading discussions. Encourage input and prioritize creative problem-solving.

* Set a respectful tone: This is a good time to practice resolving conflict with respect and consideration.

* End on a good note: If a tough topic needed to be addressed, be sure to end with something positive. Talk about fun upcoming events or brainstorm vacation ideas.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The 20 Most Dangerous Household Hazards

Home Safety

You’d think that things like knives and ladders would top the list of dangerous household objects, but they’re outranked by seemingly harmless items like tables and chairs. (Did you know, for instance, that each year thousands of children are injured falling out of bunk beds?)

The following is a list of the objects, activities, or backyard games that most often cause accidental injury, as reported by hospital emergency rooms. Note these potentially hazardous items or activities. Approach each with caution.

* Stairs.

* Floors or flooring materials. Basketball.

* Bicycles.

* Knives.

* Baseball.

* Football.

* Beds.

* Doors.

* Tables.

* Chairs.

* Ceiling and walls.

* Household cabinets, racks, and shelves. Nails, screws, tacks, or bolts. Household containers and packaging. Skating.

* Windows.

* Bathtubs and showers.

* Soccer.

* Ladders.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How To Save Your Life In A House Fire

Home Safety

Knowing how to react fast in a house fire can save your life and the lives of those you love. Here are some guidelines to follow.

* Keep the phone number of your local fire department clearly posted near all telephones in the house. (Try to memorize the number, in case you have to use a neighbor’s phone.) Use 911! where the service is available.

* Prearrange a plan for family members to follow in case of fire. Conduct fire drills using your escape route.

* If you live in a two-story house, purchase and install an emergency escape ladder and practice using it.

* If a fire breaks out, don’t stop to collect personal possessions. Get people out of the house!

* If you can’t get to within 10 to 12 feet of a fire, you can assume it’s too big to handle on your own. Call the fire department immediately. (Call them for small fires, too.)

* If you try to put out the fire, make sure you can get to an exit. Don’t back yourself into a corner.

* Smother a fire thoroughly and keep it covered so it doesn’t ignite again. The fire department will determine if the fire has been contained or if it has spread.

* If you fail to extinguish the fire and smoke is accumulating, get out of the house quickly!

Poisonous gases and smoke are often more dangerous than flames. (Smoke rises, so remember to “stay low and go.” Crawl if you must. And if you can, place a wet towel over your face to filter out smoke and fumes.)

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What To Do If Clothing Catches Fire

Home Safety

Few things are more terrifying than having your clothes catch fire. Teach your children and everyone else in your family this simple, lifesaving technique, known as stop, drop, and roll.

Stop. Your natural inclination may be to run. But motion only fans the flames.

Drop. Get to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and keep your face as far from the flames as possible. (If a blanket, rug, or coat is handy, use it to smother the flames. But doing so should never delay stop, drop, and roll.)

Roll. Roll back and forth, again and again, until the flames go out.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026