HaltonParents

Are Helmets Really Enough?

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

Before I begin, let me be crystal clear about one thing – wear helmets. Whatever the season – whatever the fun and awesome activity, we could all use a little reminder of the many reasons a helmet is a vitally important part of healthy, active play. And there are specific helmets to use for different activities. But there is something else to consider in addition to wearing a helmet: adult supervision.

There is a vision that comes to mind every time I hear the word concussion. I honestly can’t recall exactly where I picked up this brain-searing analogy, but let me tell you, it stuck. Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Keeping Your Toddler & Preschooler Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged bicycle safety, bike helmet, concussion, do helmets prevent concussions?, grandparents, head injury, head injury prevention, helmet, injury prevention, Keeping Your Baby Safe, parenting prevents injuries, Physical Health, prevent concussions, school, special needs, summer safety, types of helmets, wheeled toy safety | Leave a comment

Secondary drowning: I didn’t know

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

In a recent blog post, I mentioned being in nursing for over 20 years and assuming everybody knew stuff about illnesses. Well, here’s my turn to gorge on humble pie. As a former pediatric nurse, lifetime pool owner and safety drill sergeant around any and all types of water (including bathtubs) I am ashamed to say that, until I read this news report last week, I knew nothing about a phenomenon called secondary drowning.

I’m not into fear mongering. It’s not how I roll. But when I happen upon information that strikes me as something parents probably don’t know about and figure that it couldn’t hurt to just be aware of it, I share it with you. Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Children & Tweens, Keeping Your Baby Safe, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Keeping Your Toddler & Preschooler Safe, Parenting, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged drowning, dry drowning, Parachute Canada Safe Kids Week, Physical Health, pool safety, safe kids, safe kids week 2014, safe splashing, safe swimming, secondary drowning, special needs, water safety | Leave a comment

Do as I Say NOT as I Do while driving

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

The day I turned 16, I pestered my mother until she drove me to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) office in my parents’ only car, a sky blue Chrysler Newport. I walked… no I merrily skipped into the office to write my 365. I was prepared. I had read, from front to back, a small booklet that was to teach me the rules of the road. The test took about 30 minutes… that was it.

I left the office with a “life altering” piece of paper in my wallet. This was the first of many steps I would be taking into adulthood.

With a grin from ear to ear, I walked over to the driver’s side and drove home with my mom sitting in the passenger seat. I remember that day clearly; I remember how I felt and how thrilled I was to be driving… even if the car was the actual size of a boat! Or so it felt. Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teens | Tagged distracted driving, drive safely, driving, Mental Health, parents, Physical Health, role model, smart phone, teaching, teens, texting, texting and driving | 1 Comment

Surviving summer with a newborn and toddler

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Andrea Scott RN

My first baby was born just as winter was gearing up (brrr), so I’m super pumped to have a summer baby this time around! Pumpkin and I love to be outside (not to mention it was a looong winter) so I’m trying to find fun things we can do outside that’s totally possible with a newborn in tow.

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far: Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Keeping Your Baby Safe, Keeping Your Toddler & Preschooler Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Baby, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Play, Growth & Development, Play, Growth & Development for Babies, Pregnancy, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged heat, injury prevention, keep toddler busy, Keeping Your Baby Safe, mosquito, new baby, outside, Physical Health, smog, summer baby, sun | Leave a comment

Chickenpox: I thought you knew!

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Paula D'Orazio

Something happens to you (or at least it happens to me) when you’ve been in health care for over 20 years. You sometimes assume that everybody knows at least the basics about certain illnesses. But every now and then, a situation arises that reminds you that everyone doesn’t necessarily know what you think they do. Turns out assumptions are almost never good! LOL!

Chickenpox… Continue reading →