HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Family Life

  • Get Ready To Garden

    WELL-BEING

    Gardening tools on dirt with flowers ready to plant.

    Spring marks the beginning of the growing season in many parts of the country. To ensure a successful garden, now is the time to prepare for the season ahead.

    The garden tasks you need to do in early spring will vary depending on your growing zone. Colder climates will just be getting started, while warmer parts of the country may already be enjoying garden bounty.

    For those of us just thawing out, here are the spring gardening tasks that will set you up for success:

    *  Weed and mulch. Early spring is a key time to get ahead of the weeds and put down a thick layer of protective mulch.

    *  Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses. These should go in before temperatures get too warm.

    *  Fertilize spring bulbs.

    *  Trim back grasses and perennials to make way for new growth.

    *  Prepare vegetable beds for early spring seeds. Apply a layer of compost and turn the soil over.

    *  Plant cold-weather vegetable seeds such as lettuce, radish, and kale.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Q & A Blood Donation

    WELL-BEING

    Close up of hands holding a piece of paper shaped as a blood drop.

    Every day, people need life-saving blood transfusions. These transfusions are possible because people donate their blood. Despite the need for donated blood, many people are afraid to donate. They may have fears about the process, needles or even their own health. Get the facts about blood donation so you can make an informed decision.

    More than 4 million lives are saved each year because of blood donations.

    Q: Is blood donation safe?

    A: Yes. Each donation uses a new, sterile needle that is thrown away after one use. You may also be given a quick health check to be sure you’re healthy enough to donate. This may include taking your temperature, blood pressure and pulse.

    Q: What if I don’t like needles?

    A: Many people have a fear of needles. But blood donation is a quick process that can help save up to three lives. Facing your fears can mean the world to another person. Try listening to relaxing music, deep breathing or reading a book during your donation. Drinking fluids before donating will make donation easier and faster.

    Q: Will I faint afterward?

    A: Some people feel lightheaded after donating blood. But most people feel fine afterward. If this concerns you, you can have a few extra minutes to sit or lie down. You can also lower the risk of this happening by eating a healthy meal before your donation and drinking at least 16 ounces of water. When you feel well enough, slowly sit up. Blood donation only takes about 1/10th of the blood from your body. Your body replaces this lost blood quickly.

    Q: Don’t they only need rare blood types?

    A: Sometimes there is a public appeal for certain blood types. But all blood types are needed and valuable. If you don’t know your blood type, you can find out after your donation.

    If you have any health conditions, you can ask your doctor whether blood donation is right for you.

    Source: American Heart Association

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Burglarproof Your Home

    Home Safety

    Don’t be an easy target for thieves.

    Most home burglaries are the work of amateurs who are looking for a quick in and out. Make it look like someone is at home, especially while you are away.

    Dos:

    *  Inspect all locks on exterior doors. If they can be opened with a screwdriver or a credit card, replace them with single cylinder deadbolt locks.

    *  Install outside lighting with motion sensors around the house and garage.

    *  Consider installing an alarm system. Make sure the sign for it can be easily seen from the street.

    *  Close and lock windows. Put a metal or wooden rod between windows and frames, especially in door walls.

    *  Keep shrubs in front of windows no higher than three feet tall. This makes it hard for a burglar to hide in them.

    *  Engrave a personal contact code on your TV and other valuables to make them harder to sell and easier to trace.

    *  Join or start a neighborhood watch group.

    If your home will be vacant for several days or longer:

    *  Ask a relative or a neighbor you trust to watch your house. Consider leaving a key with one of them and ask them to do a periodic walk-through.

    *  Put a stop on delivery of mail and newspapers.

    *  Arrange for someone to mow the lawn or clear snow from the driveway and sidewalk. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.

    *  Preset automatic light timers to keep the house   well-lit during the evening and make it look like someone is home.

    *  Keep a radio on while you are gone. Set it to a 24-hour news or talk station.

    *  Find out if your local police department keeps a “vacant house list.” This alerts police to drive by and check on your house if you are gone for a week or longer.

    Action Step

    Store valuable items in places not easily seen. As an extra preventive measure, put valuable jewelry in a bank safety deposit box.

    Ways to Well-Being book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Infant Safety

    Child Safety

    Young baby wearing blue hat and wrapped in blue blanket.

    Infants depend on their families to keep them safe. While all babies are unique, there are some safety issues that apply to all infants.

    Never leave a baby or young child alone near any water, such as a bathtub, a toilet, a bucket with water, etc., not even to answer a telephone or the door.

    Do not leave a baby alone on a changing table, bed, sofa or chair.

    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among babies between 1 month and 1 year old. To reduce the risk, place a baby to sleep on its back with a wearable blanket on a flat, sleep surface, covered only with a fitted sheet. Do not use a blanket, pillow, or add toys.

    From infancy on, ask your child’s doctor to check your child’s vision at regular exams. In general, children should start getting vision screening exams starting at age 3.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Keep A Survival Kit In Your Car

    Personal Safety

    Image of a car kit.

    No car should be without a survival kit of items that you might need in the event you’re in an accident, run out of gas, have a breakdown, or get stuck. Items to include:

    *  First-aid kit.

    *  Flares.

    *  White cloth, for distress signal.

    *  Flashlight with spare batteries.

    *  Snow shovel.

    *  Knife or other basic tools.

    *  Empty gas can, for purchasing gas.

    *  Small fire extinguisher.

    *  Paper and pencil.

    *  Blanket.

    *  Change, for phone calls and tolls.

    *  Food and water, for long trips through unpopulated areas. Whistle.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Hand Washing Or Sanitizer?

    WELL-BEING

    Close up image of person washing hand with soap and water.

    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

  • Say Goodbye To Bad Habits

    WELL-BEING

    Doctor holding apple in one hand and a donut in the other hand.

    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

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Safety

    Yound child in a car seat laughing.

    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.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Install Smoke Detectors And Be Sure They Work

    Home Safety

    Image of smoke around a smoke detector.

    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.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Take The Hazard Out Of Halloween

    Child Safety

    Image of children in halloween customs.

    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.

    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine