Sunday, August 24, 2008

Health Tips for August 24

Health Tip: Prevent Bath Time Injuries

To help keep bath time safe and fun for your baby, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions when it's time to rub-a-dub-dub:

* Never leave the infant alone or with another child in the tub, not even for a second. A baby can drown in very little water.
* Always check the water to make sure it's not too hot before you put your baby in the bath.
* Set your water heater to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the temperature of the tap by holding a thermometer under the running water for three minutes.
* Never store electrical appliances such as hair dryers or radios near the bath. When you aren't using them, they should be unplugged and kept away from the tub.

Health Tip: Beating Backpack Pain

Backpacks can cause back pain and injury if they are too heavy or don't offer enough support.

Keep these guidelines in mind when choosing and wearing a backpack, courtesy of the National Safety Council:

* Always wear both straps, so that the weight is distributed across both shoulders and evenly across the back.
* A backpack should always be centered across the middle of the back.
* Try not to overload the backpack. Keep it from getting too heavy.
* Place the heaviest items closest to the back.
* When lifting the backpack, bend at the knees and lift with your legs.

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