Impress your family and friends with your pediatric knowledge! We’ve prepped a combination of both fun and interesting child health facts from some of our favorite 2019 HealthyChildren.org articles. Enjoy!
1. “I learned something new about those ‘kid safe’ headphones.”
Many headphones marketed as "kid safe" limit the volume at 85, 90 or even higher decibels (75 is recommended to prevent hearing damage). Upon testing, many of these headphones are even louder than what they claim. So, while these products may be a good start, still give it a listen and teach your kids to dial the volume down. More holiday hearing tips here.
2. “Our neighbors are putting in a pool with a fence.” Pool fences are the most effective, proven way to prevent drowning, but there is no national pool fence law. Only some individual states and municipalities have laws requiring pool safety fences. Whenever your child will be in someone else's home, always check for ways your child could access pools and other potential hazards. Get pool fencing recommendations and drowning prevention tips here.
3. “Remember when I had perfect attendance as a kid?” Not as many kids do these days. Chronic absenteeism now affects as many as 6.5 million students nationwide―that's 13% of our total student population! You may think this is just high school students skipping school. But in fact, this problem starts early. At least 10% of kindergarten and first-grade students miss a month or more of the school year. Here are tips for getting your kids to school on time, every day.
4.
"I found out yellow mucus doesn't automatically mean I have an infection." You may cause a debate with some elders on this one, but yellow or green mucus does not automatically mean antibiotics are needed. During a common cold, it is normal for mucus from the nose to get thick and to change from clear to yellow or green. Symptoms often last for 10 days.
Have more questions about antibiotics for children? 10 common questions answered here.
5.
“Did anyone try out those e-scooters?” E-scooters are still so new that many cities are still working on how to regulate them. Some have banned them completely, while others have made rules about where they can be used. E-scooter-related emergency room visits have also spiked. If you fall off an e-scooter, you are going to get hurt. Period.
The AAP urges these safety rules.6. “You know, you can get a refund for that Rock ‘n Play.” This product is dangerous and parents (and grandparents) are urged to stop using it right away. Those who have owned the Rock 'n Play for 6 months or less will receive a cash refund while those who have owned them longer will receive a voucher for a new Fisher-Price product. Request a refund for the Rock 'n Play online or call the company at 866-812-6518. The AAP does not recommend letting infants sleep in inclined products like the Rock 'n Play that require restraining a baby.
7. “I wish more places had changing tables in the men’s restrooms.” A number of states and cities have either passed laws or are considering legislation that would actually require changing tables in both men's and women's public restrooms. However, many laws apply only to new or renovated buildings. As you can imagine, it's not just legal standards but also building codes that matter. Learn how you can advocate for change here.
8. “Did you know babies need passports?” All U.S. citizens, including infants, need a current passport to travel internationally. Parents or guardians need to apply with their baby in person. Be sure to bring your baby's birth certificate and a photo taken within the last 6 months. Passport photos must be taken with nobody else in the photo, which can be tricky with infants. A valid passport is usually the only identification your baby will need to fly on a domestic flight, unless you need to show proof of age for a discounted child fare. Check with your airline before you leave and get more tips for flying with baby here.
9. “I was reading some stats on how many child athletes actually go pro.” Only one in four outstanding elementary school athletes becomes a sports standout in high school. About 3-11% of high school athletes compete at a college level, and only 1% receive an athletic scholarship. Early sports specialization also carries the risk of higher injury rates, increased psychological stress, and an increased likelihood of quitting the sport at an early age. Read more about why soccer- related injuries in kids are rising.
10.
"We really need to set some rules around the kids' media use." From TV to smartphones to social media, our lives are dominated by 24/7 media exposure. Visit
HealthyChildren.org/MediaUsePlan to create a personalized Family Media Use Plan that works within your family's values and busy lifestyles. And PS media use plans work for parents, too. So, put down your smartphone and go play with your kids!
Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy holiday season and a safe New Year.
-The team at HealthyChildren.org
