HealthyLife Articles

Category: Family Life

Prevent Drowning

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

* Drowning ranks 5th among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

* About 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day. Of these, 2 are children aged 14 or younger.

* An additional 347 people die each year from drowning in boating-related incidents.

* Drownings are the leading cause of death for young children ages 1 to 4. Most of these drownings occur in home swimming pools.

* Among adolescents and adults, alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation, almost a quarter of Emergency Department visits for drowning, and about 1 in 5 reported boating deaths. Alcohol influences balance, coordination, and judgment. Its effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat.

General Guidelines

© 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
Focus On Healthy Ways During Hectic Holiday Days

Connect With Relatives

* Make a “To Do” list. Prioritize tasks. Plan rest periods in your hectic schedule.

* Try not to isolate yourself. Be with people you trust and feel safe with, even if you feel down. Volunteer to help others.

* Know your alcohol limit and stick to it. After having one or two drinks with alcohol, have a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, such as sparkling water with lemon or lime.

* Focus more on fun with family and friends than on food. Play with your children and grandchildren.

* Eat at regular times. Do not skip meals.

* Go easy on sweets and holiday treats. Enjoy a warm cup of tea and a handful of walnuts or almonds.

* Deal with emotions without overeating.

– Anger. Take three or four slow, deep breaths. The angry impulse may pass. Take a walk until you can calm down.

– Anxiety. Focus on relaxing with soothing music, meditation, or yoga.

– Boredom. Do an activity that does not involve eating.

– Depression. Be with someone who helps lift your mood. If depression lasts longer than two weeks, contact your doctor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Focus On Safe Water, Saving Water & Energy

Home Safety

* Drink tap water instead of bottled water. Two gallons of water are wasted to process every one gallon of bottled water. About 38 billion water bottles a year end up in landfills and oil and gas are needed to make and transport water bottles.

* If you prefer, buy a filter pitcher or install a faucet filter with your sink to remove trace chemicals and bacteria.

* Keep water for drinking in the fridge instead of letting the tap water run to get cold. Drink from glasses or re-usable water bottles.

* Medicines flushed down the toilet get in the water supply. Crush pills and dissolve them in water. Mix this with used coffee grounds or kitty litter and put it in the garbage in a sealed bag.

* Don’t leave the tap water running while you brush your teeth, wash your face, shave, etc. Take showers instead of baths. Spend less time in the shower.

* Have full loads before running the clothes washer, dryer, and dishwasher. Install a low-flow toilet.

* Collect rain water in barrels. Use it to water plants.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Prevent Falls

Home Safety

Do This, Not That

* Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children ages 0 to 19. Every day, about 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall-related injuries.

* Almost 86,000 fall injuries each year are linked with dogs and cats. This includes falling or tripping over the animal or its toys and/or being pulled down or pushed by a dog.

* One out of 3 people age 65 and older takes a bad fall every year. And in this age group, falls are the leading cause of death by injury.

Older Adults

People with Special Needs

General Guidelines

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
6 Simple Steps To A Healthier Marriage

FAMILY LIFE

Having a healthy, supportive marriage is important to your overall well-being. But the stresses of life, work, family, and day-to-day problems can put a strain on even the best marriage at times.

Fortunately, there are some ways you can help keep your marriage strong – or work on problems before they become major issues. Here are some tips from the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center:

1. Make every effort to keep your commitment.

Marriage will have “good times and bad,” and you need to realize that challenges will happen. The key is to work through them and be aware that everyone has disagreements and difficulties. No marriage is perfect, but with extra effort from both partners, you can make yours last.

2. Make time for each other.

Even when you’re overwhelmed with work, children, or other tasks, don’t forget about your marriage. Set aside time for a dinner alone or even a weekend getaway if you can. If that’s not possible, have 15 to 30 minutes of time to talk and connect each day – without TV or cell phones.

3. Have a sense of humor.

Life’s little mishaps are easier to take when you can laugh at them. Mistakes that don’t really hurt anyone don’t have to turn into arguments. Don’t focus on who’s to blame. Laugh at it if you can, and work on a solution together. Forgive your spouse (and yourself!) and try to find the humor in the situation.

4. Communication is key.

This is an important aspect of any marriage. Talk about what’s bothering you – and what you love. Listen to what your spouse is saying, and don’t be quick to defend yourself. No one has to “win” an argument. If you both listen and respect each other, a solution or compromise can usually be found.

5. Do “little” things for your spouse.

Make a favorite meal for the other person, do the dishes without being asked, or leave a love note. These small things can add up to big happiness. Just showing your spouse that you care about him or her will help build your marriage each day.

6. Choose your battles.

Before you get angry about something, ask yourself if it’s worth an argument. If it’s important to you, approach the subject calmly and be honest. If not, take a deep breath and focus your energy on better things.

Marriage isn’t always easy, but working to keep it strong and healthy can have big payoffs. People in healthy marriages have better mental health and may even live longer. Give your marriage the attention it deserves, and you’ll both enjoy the benefits.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Choosing A Family Pet

FAMILY LIFE

Pets aren’t just for kids. Owning a pet can improve your family’s health in many ways, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC). Pets can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and offer companionship to all members of your household. Before you choose one, think about these factors.

All pets need daily care.They need attention, food, and a place to sleep. Dogs need to be walked and taken outside daily. Cats need a clean litter box. Veterinary visits and vaccines are important. Look into the pet you want, and make sure you’re ready to do everything it takes to keep the pet healthy. It’s a daily commitment that you’ll need to stick with for many years.

Make sure everyone in the family is ready.Caring for a pet is best done with everyone’s help. Are your kids ready to help feed a dog and walk it? Are the parents ready for veterinary costs, cleaning up after the pet, and arranging for pet care during vacations?

With certain reptiles, small animals and birds, proper hygiene is very important.Some pets, such as birds, reptiles and amphibians, can spread illness to humans. Visitwww.cdc.gov/healthypetsfor information about preventing illness.

As long as you carefully consider all the care your pet will need, you can make an informed choice about your next furry friend.

Source: American Humane Association

A heart for dogs

One study looked at 421 adults who’d had heart attacks. A year later, dog owners were much more likely to still be alive than were those who did not own dogs, regardless of the severity of the heart attack.

Source: National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How To Recognize And Report Abuse

FAMILY LIFE

Child and elder abuse is a serious problem that affects people from all walks of life. One of the most important ways to protect victims from abuse is by making sure they get the help they need and by reporting cases to the authorities. Here’s how to recognize the different types of abuse and what to do in case you know someone who is a victim. This advice is from the General Services Administration of the U.S. government (www.USA.gov).

Child Abuse

Children who are victims of physical or emotional abuse often display mental and social development problems. In most cases, the abuse comes from their own parents or caretakers. Here are some of the signs of abuse:

*Physical abuse:A child who suffers from physical abuse might have bruises, burn marks, broken bones and scars. They are often fearful of adults or certain people.

*Sexual abuse:Victims of sexual abuse are forced to have sexual relations or engage in inappropriate physical contact with adults. Signs include feeling uncomfortable when changing clothes.

*Emotional abuse:Children who experience emotional abuse are often victims of private or public humiliation and neglect. A child might show sudden changes in behavior and act violently.

*Neglect:Children who are physically neglected show signs of lack of personal hygiene and bad health due to malnutrition, among other things.

If you know or suspect that a child is a victim of abuse and is in immediate danger, call 911. To report a case of child abuse, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can occur in the victim’s home or at places such as assisted living facilities. People who abuse the elderly are usually people who know or take care of the victims. There are several types of abuse and all of them can have a profound negative impact on a person’s physical and mental health.

*Physical abuse:As with child abuse, elders who suffer from physical abuse also might show bruises or other signs of injury on their bodies.

*Sexual abuse:Elders who suffer from sexual abuse might become withdrawn.

*Emotional abuse:This occurs when the victim is humiliated and treated with disrespect. The victim might feel useless or inferior and might suffer from depression.

*Neglect:Elders show signs of physical neglect when caretakers fail to help them with their personal hygiene, food, clothing, and medications.

*Financial abuse:Elders are often targets of financial fraud. This usually happens when people who take care of elders steal their retirement.

If you know or suspect an elder is a victim of abuse and is in immediate danger, call 911. To report a case of elder abuse, call 1-800-677-1116 or visit the National Center on Elder Abuse atwww.ncea.aoa.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Shopping Cart Spills Can Be Prevented

FAMILY LIFE

Kids dangling over shopping carts reaching for candy, standing up, and riding underneath. Every 22 minutes a child goes to the ER with a shopping cart-related injury. A study in Clinical Pediatrics found that falls from a shopping cart accounted for the majority of injuries for children up to 4 years old, followed by running into/falling over the cart, cart tipovers, and entrapment of arms, legs, and fingers in the cart. The kids suffered concussions and other head injuries.

Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said parents need to understand the dangers. He suggests these strategies:

* Always use the shopping cart safety straps. Be sure your child is snugly secured in the straps and that the child’s legs are placed through the leg openings. If parts of the cart restraint system are missing or are not working, choose another cart.

* Use a cart that has a child seat that is low to the ground, if one is available.

* Make sure your child remains seated. Stay with the cart and your child at all times.

* Avoid placing infant carriers on top of shopping carts. If your child is not old enough to sit upright in the shopping cart seat, consider other options such as leaving your child at home with another adult while you are at the store, using in-store child care areas, using a front- or back-pack carrier, or using a stroller.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026