October is Children's Health Month

October is Children's Health Month and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the White House and other federal agencies are urging parents and caregivers to "Discover the Rewards" of protecting children's health. Here are some simple, low-cost safety tips to protect children:
1. Never leave standing liquids unattended. Stay within arm's reach while your child is bathing or near any container of water. If the phone rings, let it ring; stay with your child.
2. Prevent tap water scalds by adjusting the temperature on your hot water heater to 120º F.
3. Keep drugs and hazardous chemicals locked up and out of sight. Use child-resistant packaging for medicines and hazardous chemicals, and call 1-800-222-1222 if a poisoning occurs.
4. Cut the loops on window-blind cords and call 1-800-506-4636 for a free repair kit.
5. Make sure your hairdryer has a large rectangular plug. The immersion protection device prevents electrocution if the hairdryer is dropped in water.
6. Change the battery in your smoke alarm when you change your clock's setting in October.
7. Have a professional check your furnace for carbon monoxide leaks and your chimney for blockages; put a CO alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area.
8. Prevent electrocution. Install a (GFCI) ground fault circuit interrupter in your household outlets.
9. Installing Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) can prevent electrical fires. AFCIs can sense electrical arc and trip the circuit.
10. Babies on adult beds risk suffocation from hidden hazards such as entrapment between the bed and wall or bed frame, headboard and foot-board; or soft bedding.

The Bottom Line

Let's all act together and focus our efforts on preventing un-necessary risks and health problems as well as taking the much needed steps to promote the physical, mental and spiritual development of our children and our selves. Prevention is relatively easy so there is no excuse for not taking due diligence. Promoting health and well being is a process involving commitment, intention, discipline and healthy lifestyle changes