HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Family Life

Hand Washing Or Sanitizer?

WELL-BEING

If there’s one habit that’s good for everyone’s health, it’s hand washing. But is hand sanitizer just as good as soap and water? Maybe not. Hand sanitizers:

* Do not get rid of all germs.

* Don’t work well when hands have dirt or grease on them.

* May not remove dangerous chemicals, like pesticides and heavy metals.

Hand washing does all these things – when you use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds.

Use hand sanitizer when you can’t get soap and water. But always choose the sink and soap when you can!

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Say Goodbye To Bad Habits

WELL-BEING

Experts say that to stop an unhealthy habit, you must replace it with a healthy habit. Here’s how to get started.

*Set a date.Make a plan for when you intend to quit your bad habit. Put it in your calendar or planner.

*Stop the triggers.For instance, don’t eat in front of the T.V. if you tend to overeat while watching it. Eat at a table without distractions.

*Keep track.Anytime you avoid your unhealthy habit, write down your victory. You’ll see how far you’ve come. This can help you stay motivated.

*Be kind to yourself.Promise yourself a healthy reward when you meet a certain milestone. And, don’t focus on setbacks or mistakes. Instead, be proud of the things that you did well.

Source: National Institutes of Health

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Child Passenger Safety

Child Safety

Child safety seats help protect your child from injury and death.

Children aged 12 and under should sit properly restrained in the back seat.

When you install a child safety or booster seat, use the instructions that come with it and the vehicle owner’s manual.

A rear-facing infant child safety seat should never be placed in front of a passenger seat air bag.

If you must transport a child in the front seat of a vehicle with an active air bag or near any passenger seat with a side air bag, install an on-off switch and press “off.”

Have a certified child passenger safety technician check to see that the safety seat has been installed the right way. Find a technician or an inspection center near you fromnhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Install Smoke Detectors And Be Sure They Work

Home Safety

Smoke detectors save lives. But if a smoke detector is placed in the wrong spot or not maintained, it may be useless in a fire.

To install and maintain smoke detectors:

* Install at least one smoke detector on each level of your house. Best locations are in hallways and just outside bedroom doors.

* As an added safety measure, install two types of smoke detectors. The photoelectric cell variety detects smoldering fires, and the ionization type detects hot, flaming fires. Check for a UL (Underwriters Laboratory) emblem on the label to be sure the detectors you buy meet industry standards. And make sure they each come with a warranty, in case they’re defective.

* Affix detectors on the ceiling or high on an interior wall, because smoke and heat rise.

* Once a month, check the detectors to make sure the batteries still work. Most detectors have a test button. If you push the button and hear a beep, the batteries are good. If you hear a chirping sound, the batteries need to be replaced. (To be safe, you should replace the batteries annually, whether the malfunction signal goes off or not. To help you remember, choose an annual holiday, like New Year’s Day, as replacement time.)

* To make sure the sensing chamber works, you should also test the device with a lit match or candle.

* Be sure the alarm rings loudly enough to alert your family.

* Most smoke detectors last three to five years. Replace as needed.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Take The Hazard Out Of Halloween

Child Safety

Dressing up to go trick-or-treating is a traditional childhood ritual. But wandering the streets in the dark dressed in bizarre costumes and knocking on strangers’ doors to ask for food can pose hazards. To be sure your children have a Halloween that’s fun and safe, take these precautions.

* Choose white or bright costumes, preferably of flame-retardant fabric and marked with reflective tape.

* Be sure a costume is short enough so that your child won’t trip.

* Don’t let your trick-or-treaters wear masks, which can interfere with their vision. Instead, apply makeup to their faces.

* Trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights, not candles. Small children should be accompanied by an adult.

* Avoid trick-or-treating at homes on dark streets or in unfamiliar neighborhoods.

* Check all treats before your children eat them. Don’t let children eat candy or other treats that aren’t commercially wrapped or look as though they’ve been tampered with.

* Keep carved, candlelit pumpkins out of reach of young children. And be sure to set your jack-o’- lantern on a nonflammable surface.

© 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
Signs Of Childhood Anxiety

FAMILY LIFE

It’s normal for kids to experience short-lived fears, such as fear of storms, the dark, animals, or strangers. But, for some kids, fear and worry become excessive and may impact their well-being.

Being alert for signs of anxiety in your child can help you identify it early and provide immediate support.

What is childhood anxiety?

When a child does not outgrow normal childhood fears, or those fears begin to interfere with daily life, they may have an anxiety disorder.

* Separation anxiety: fear of being apart from parents

* Phobias: extreme fear of a specific situation or thing, such as an animal or activity

* Social anxiety: fear of situations surrounded by other people, such as at school

* General anxiety: fear of the future and general worry about what might happen

* Panic disorder: recurrent attacks of intense fear combined with sweating, dizziness, increased heart rate, and shaking

Symptoms

Anxiety can show up in many different ways and often starts with subtle behaviors you may not identify as fear.

Knowing when something is a problem and not just a childhood “phase” can be challenging. Watch for these common symptoms:

* Trouble sleeping

* Recurrent tummy aches or other physical complaints

* Becoming clingy towards parents or caregivers

* Avoidance of specific situations

* Difficulty focusing

* Trouble sitting still/being fidgety

* Emotional outbursts

* Mood swings

When to seek help

Anxiety is unlikely to go away on its own. If you notice any of the symptoms or have concerns about your child’s mental health, talk to your doctor right away.

Common treatments include:

* Behavior therapy that may include both child and family therapy

* Extra support at school

* Training for parents to aid their child in managing anxiety

* Lifestyle supports such as a healthy diet, adequate sleep, physical activity, and social support

* Medication in some cases

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Child Safety

Child Safety

Do This, Not That

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

* Injuries are the leading cause of death in children and teens.

* Each year, nearly 9 million children aged 0 to 19 years are seen in emergency departments for injuries. More than 9,000 children die as a result of being injured.

* Injury treatment is the leading cause of medical spending for children.

The leading causes of injury death differed by age group.

* For children less than 1 year of age, 2/3rds of injury deaths were due to suffocation.

* Drowning was the leading cause of injury death for those 1 to 4 years of age.

* For children 5 to 19 years of age, the most injury-related deaths were due to being an occupant in a motor vehicle traffic crash.

Most child injures are preventable. Use the tips in this section to keep your children safe at home.

General Guidelines

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Killer Household Products

Home Safety

Harmful drugs could be right under your nose.

Spray paint, gasoline, glue, hair spray, and cleaning products become drugs when their vapors are inhaled on purpose to get “high.” Inhalants are easy to get and are among the most popular and deadly substances that teens abuse.

The highs and lows

At first, the effects of sniffing or snorting fumes are like drinking alcohol. But feeling giddy and less inhibited lasts only a few minutes. Continued use of the inhalant is needed to feel “high” longer. Breathing in chemical fumes replaces oxygen in the lungs. As a result, repeated use can cause:

* Death (even from one session of repeated use of the inhalant)

* Liver, kidney, and bone marrow problems

* Heart rhythm problems and heart failure

* Headaches

* Dizziness

* Confusion

* Delusions

Also, the use of inhalants over time can cause health problems that cannot be reversed:

* Hearing loss

* Problems with learning and memory

* Muscle spasms

Signs of inhalant use:

* Chemical smell on clothing or breath

* Drunk, dazed, or dizzy look

* Slurred speech

* Sores around the nose or mouth

* Paint or other chemical stains on fingers

* Empty spray paint bottles or rags hidden in closets

If you suspect that a family member is using inhalants, get medical help without delay.

Action Step

Talk to your kids about the dangers of inhalants. Find out more fromwww.inhalants.drugabuse.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
The Keys To Physical Well-Being Are Healthy Habits

Personal Safety

* Eat nutritious foods.

* Get to and maintain a healthy weight.

* Be physically active.

* Get enough sleep and rest.

* See that you and all family members age 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. It is the single best way to prevent getting seasonal flu.

Dos

* Balance work and play.

* Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol.

* Avoid secondhand smoke.

Don’ts

* Don’t be a workaholic.

* Don’t be around people who have the flu.

* Don’t use tobacco in any form.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026