HealthyLife Articles

Category: Family Life

The Importance Of Chores

FAMILY LIFE

Children are often more capable than we realize. Presenting children with age-appropriate challenges and responsibilities is how parents help them grow. Helping out around the house is the perfect training ground to help prepare your kids for life.

Getting started

* Talk to your child about what it means to be responsible. Explain their new duties as a way they help the family and learn skills they will need for their whole life.

* Create a visual schedule or chore chart.

* Discuss being consistent and reliable.

* If appropriate, lay out consequences for neglecting chores.

* As a parent, be consistent with your expectations.

* The younger the child, the more guidance they will need, especially in the beginning. Do chores with them at first until they have enough skill and confidence.

Age-appropriate chores

Toddlers (2-3)

Toddlers are eager helpers and love to do what you are doing. They will need lots of hands-on guidance, but it’s worth the effort.

* Pick up toys

* Wipe up spills

* Put laundry in the hamper

* Fill up a pet’s food bowl

Preschoolers (4-5)

At this age, more independence may develop as your child gains more motor control and has a better memory.

* Clear the table

* Make their bed

* Water plants

* Sort laundry

* Use a handheld vacuum to clean

Primary schoolers (6-9)

This is the age to reinforce independence and consistency with chore expectations. Your child may begin to push back a bit, but stay firm.

* Clean their room

* Wash dishes

* Vacuum, sweep, or mop

* Help with meal prep

* Rake or pull weeds

Middle schoolers (10-13)

By middle school, your child can truly help with tasks around the house and should have the ability to do a variety of chores.

* Do laundry

* Take out trash

* Load and unload the dishwasher

* Wash the car

* Make their lunch

High-schoolers (14+)

Moving toward adulthood, now is the time to make tasks more challenging and ensure they have the necessary skills.

* Mow the lawn

* Prepare a meal

* Care for siblings

* Help with deep cleaning

* Iron and mend clothes

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Youth Sports Safety

Family Fitness

Every year, millions of children are injured while playing sports and doing physical activities. Most of these injuries could be prevented.

Wearing a safety helmet helps prevent a closed head injury when biking, inline skating, etc.

Some states and localities have mandatory laws for helmet usage.

All helmets sold in the U.S. must meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard. There must be a sticker on the inside stating this. The fit of the helmet is not tested by the standards, so you should try the helmet on your child’s head before buying.

Learn more about safety helmets from the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute athelmets.org.

Get youth sports safety guidelines from the National Youth Sports Health & Safety Institute atacsm.org/nyshsi/best-practices.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Home Safety Checklist

Home Safety

* Keep your doors locked.

* Use a peephole in the front door.

* If you live alone, arrange for daily contact with a neighbor, relative, etc.

* Clearly post emergency numbers. Teach children how to call 9-1-1, etc. for help.

* Stock first aid supplies. In case of accidental poisoning, call the Poison Control Center (800.222.1222) for advice.

* Install smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector. Check them every 6 months. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.

* Never smoke in bed or when you feel drowsy. Better yet, don’t smoke at all!

* If you use a space heater, make sure it has an emergency shut off.

* Plan an escape route in case of fire. Practice it with all household members every couple of months.

* Keep flashlights handy.

* Use night lights.

* Keep stair areas well lit.

* Have snow and icy patches cleared from the sidewalk and steps.

* Be careful or stay home if it is icy or slippery outside.

* Monitor your medication use. Let your doctor know if medicine(s) affect your vision, balance, etc. If prescribed sedatives or tranquilizers, be careful when you take them. They can increase the risk of falls.

* Don’t get up too quickly after lying down, resting, or eating a meal. Low blood pressure can cause dizziness.

* Wear nonslip, snug-fitting shoes and slippers.

* Use safety mats or nonskid tape in your tub and shower. Install grab bars in the shower and tub, too.

* If you use a shower bench, use one with rubber tips on its legs.

* Before getting in the tub, test the bath water. Make sure it is not too hot.

* Never lock the bathroom door.

* Use a cane or walker, if necessary.

* Install handrails on both sides of the stairs. Keep clutter off stairs.

* Don’t use loose area rugs. See that carpet on stairs is nailed down securely.

* Arrange furniture so there is a clear path for walking. Test if furniture is sturdy enough to lean on.

* Clear away phone or electrical wires from walk paths.

* Use a step stool with a safety rail.

* Be alert to spills or wet floors.

* To pick up things, bend at your knees and keep your back straight. Don’t stoop.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Know How To Use A Fire Extinguisher

Home Safety

Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher. Extinguishers should be mounted in plain sight and be simple for all family members (except small children, of course) to use in an emergency. Show the babysitter how it works, too.

* Buy a multipurpose extinguisher rated 2A10BC or higher. The letters indicate the type of fire the extinguisher will douse. “A” units are for combustible materials like paper or wood, “B” units are for flammable liquids like gasoline, and “C” units are for electrical fires. The numbers relate to the size of the fire. The higher the number, the greater the capacity to extinguish that fire.

* Check for a UL (Underwriters Laboratory) or FM (Fire Mutual) code. They tell you the product is effective, safe, and reliable.

* Be sure the directions are simple to understand. Mount the fire extinguisher securely, in plain sight.

* Be sure you understand how the firing mechanism works. Check to see whether you need to push a button or pull a lever. Don’t activate the extinguisher, though. Once you do, it must be serviced and recharged, even if you only use it for a few seconds and the gauge indicates it’s full.

* Check the pressure indicator once a month to be sure the extinguisher works.

To use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS.

* Pull the pin.

* Aim the nozzle or barrel at the base of the fire, not at the flames.

* Squeeze the handle.

* Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
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