POSTED BY:
Kate Cronan, MD

Did you know that winter months are peak time for fire-related deaths? In the event of a fire, you may have as little as two minutes to escape. Home and apartment fires can start and spread quickly. It is important to create a fire escape plan and practice it regularly with your family. Create a Fire Escape Plan The best way to start planning a fire escape plan according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is to draw a map of your home or apartment showing all doors and windows. The NFPA says families should: Plan two ways to escape from each room. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily. Identify secondary routes: a window onto an adjacent roof or a collapsible ladder from a second-floor window. If you live in a multi-story building, plan to use the stairs – never the elevator. Designate an outside meeting […]

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to surge, doctors are warning about another well-known respiratory illness, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), spreading among infants and young children. There has been an unusual summertime uptick in RSV cases. And it’s happening at the same time as the Delta variant of coronavirus is infecting young children and teens. Cases of RSV in kids and older adults usually occur in fall through early spring. But due to a reduced spread of RSV during the winter months of 2020-2021 — because of quarantine and masking guidelines — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that many cases are now surfacing earlier this year. Most children get an RSV infection by the age of two. As some areas lift mask mandates and other restrictions, there is a reappearance of the virus occurring. That means older infants and young children who would have gotten it last […]

The end of summer is usually a time for excitement and anticipation for kids and their families. But this year, many families are feeling anxious as fall approaches. In this second part in a series of frequently asked questions about kids and COVID-19, we’ll talk more about how your children can be safest during the back-to-school season. Should I send my child to school? Both the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) agree that it is very important for students to be physically present at school, if it is safe to do so. Every state, as well as individual school districts, has plans for the re-opening of schools in 2020, and parents should weigh the benefits of in-class versus online participation for their children when given that option. If possible, take time to discuss with teachers and administrators the best practices that […]

Your family’s summer plans during the COVID-19 pandemic have likely been canceled or at least shuffled around. In the first part of a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs), below are answers and ideas about how your children can socialize during the summer and out-of-school months. Can my children have playdates? For social distancing to truly work, there shouldn’t be playdates, especially inside your home. The best option is still to do a virtual playdate via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. A good compromise is an outdoor playdate, where you can keep that six-foot distance. Get a few kids together for a bike ride or hike. Remember to have rules: be sure that kids over 2 years wear face masks when possible make sure that they wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. If you decide that an indoor playdate is a good choice for your family, […]

In September, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced bold new steps to address what they call an “epidemic of youth e-cigarette use.” The new enforcement actions aim directly at the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to kids. Warnings and fines were sent to retailers who are selling Juul and e-cigarettes to minors. This article explains what you need to know about “vaping.” What are E-Cigarettes? Electronic cigarettes (or “e-cigs”) are battery-operated, nicotine-dispensing devices. They’re marketed as a safe alternative to smoking. But they’re not safe because they usually put nicotine — a highly addictive drug — into the body. They also mimic the act of smoking a real cigarette, possibly making it harder to quit. How Do E-Cigarettes Work? E-cigarettes use cartridges filled with a liquid that contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. A heating device inside the e-cigarette turns the liquid into vapor to be inhaled. […]

With summer well underway, it’s important we remember to lather on sunscreen and cover up with brimmed hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses before heading out in the sun. But when picking a sunscreen, you may not be thinking about what type of ingredients in that sunscreen protect you from the sun. You may have heard about physical and chemical sunscreens. Both types have their own benefits and drawbacks, and it’s important to learn the difference between the two. No matter which kind of sunscreen you choose, it’s always important to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Physical Sunscreen Physical sunscreen (also known as mineral sunscreen) sits on top of your skin, so it’s not absorbed into the bloodstream. It acts as a barrier that blocks the sun’s rays. The active ingredients that are found in this type of sunscreen are zinc oxide and titanium oxide, both of which are […]