All Search Results
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Gearing up for hurricane season
Every afternoon, as the dark clouds roll in, I can’t help but wonder, “when will this rain ever go away?” But, if you live in Florida, like I do, you have probably accepted the fact the rain is here to stay. And on the days when the thunder and lightning seem unusually intense, I often anticipate a potential hurricane on the horizon. Yes, I said it – hurricane. Hurricane season officially began June 1st and is expected to last until November 30th. And weather experts are already projecting this year’s hurricane season to be a bumpy ride – estimating as many as six storms that could result in major hurricanes.
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Keep your kids movin'!
Growing up, recess was always one of my favorite times during the day. It was a chance to catch a break from the classroom and run around and play with my friends. And in my playground, there were so many activities to choose from! Do we play fort in the tire tower, or a friendly game of soccer? Or do we simply find a spot in the shade and talk about “life’s problems”?
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Preventing Child Abuse in Organizations and Youth Programs
There are some advantages to having an adult child (The primary disadvantage is that I really feel old now that he’s an adult!). One of the advantages is that I no longer have to worry about him suffering child abuse while in the care of others. We were fortunate that the adults in his life at school, after-care, summer camps, art classes, sports and religious school were talented and caring.
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Choosing the right summer camp for your child
When I was growing up, my mother was a stay-at-home mom, and we spent a lot of time at home during the summer. It was a time my sister and I could play in the woods, eat popsicles, read and help my mother sew Barbie clothes (Yes, she deserved a medal for that endeavor!). My family didn’t take a lot of formal vacations, but my siblings and I participated in a variety of activities that made summers feel special.
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Decoding the new sunscreen labels.
As you stock up on sunscreen for the summer, have you noticed that the sunscreen bottles look a little different this year? That’s because starting this year, the FDA requires that companies be transparent about what’s actually in the bottle, and what kind of protection the sunscreen provides. And as skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the U.S., this new, clear-cut labeling will help consumers make more informed choices that will help better protect themselves against potential sun damage.
The old vs. the new
So, what’s the difference between the previous sunscreen requirements and the new, updated requirements? The old sunscreen rules focused almost entirely on sunburn prevention, which is primarily caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun. However, these rules overlooked the importance of providing protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, which contributes to skin cancer and early skin aging. After reviewing the scientific testing abilities of sunscreens, the FDA concluded that it was important to establish a “broad spectrum” test – a test that would show that the product provides UVA protection that is proportional to it’s UVB protection. This new test would allow for an even greater opportunity to protect individuals from sunburn and sun damage.What exactly should I be looking for on the new labels?
It’s often easy to overlook the details on product packaging, as long as the packaging looks appealing to the eye. However, there are a few details you should take note of when purchasing a new bottle of sunscreen. -
Young children are at a greater risk for dog bites
Dog bites hurt. Want to know how I know? Because I got snapped at when I was a little girl, and I haven’t forgotten about it since then. I remember the incident like it was yesterday. My family was taking care of my grandparents’ dog while they were away – a springer spaniel named “Jenna.” Jenna had quickly become my friend, as we were lying on the floor watching movies one afternoon. I wanted to get as close to Jenna as I could, and found myself all up in her face. We had no boundaries, or so I thought. The next thing I know, Jenna, having none of it, snapped at my face, snagging the tip of my nose. I was traumatized, and wanted nothing to do with Jenna after that.
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Finding support for her family through Healthy Families Orange: Danielle's story
Written by Cathleen Raffety
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Keep your (and your child's) head in the game
As parents, we often like to encourage our kids to play sports. There are many valuable skills to be learned through sports: improved hand and eye coordination, teamwork and sportsmanship, just to name a few. And, of course, sports are also fun!
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Avoiding obesity: Teaching your child how to live a healthy life
It may be easier than you think to teach your child how to live a healthy life. Of course, we have to teach our kids about good-for-you foods and encourage fun activities, but more importantly, we have to walk the walk. Children are imitators, and leading by example plays a big role in how they learn.
Consider this: Are you stuck on the diet bandwagon?
You go on a diet, but what happens when you “come off the diet”? What we know is that diets don’t work. Diets send the wrong message when the focus is on weight or the size of your jeans. But health and enjoying a wholesome life matters more. -
A letter to other families battling childhood cancer
Written by Colleen and JP Wright, parents of Ethan Wright, Ewing's Sarcoma Fighter and to date, SURVIVOR