Health Tips for August 29

Health Tip: Prepare a Fire Safety Plan

Fires in the home can spread quickly, so it's important to devise a fire safety plan.

Here are suggestions to prepare for a fire emergency, courtesy of the U.S. National Safety Council:

* It's best to sleep with the door closed. Teach children, in the event of a fire emergency, to feel the door for heat before opening.
* Create an escape route for each area of the home, and decide on a meeting point outside the home.
* Create a map that's easy for everyone to read.
* Tell young children not to hide during a fire. Also explain that they shouldn't be afraid of firemen -- that firemen are there to help.
* Teach children to drop down and crawl beneath the smoke to escape the home.
* In low-level homes, make sure that bedroom windows open easily (aren't painted shut), as they may be a secondary means of escape.
* Make sure that everyone in the house knows how to use an escape ladder.
* Explain that no one must ever go back into a burning building.
* Young children should know their last name, street address, and how to dial 911 from a neighbor's house or cell phone.

Health Tip: Monitor the Mercury in Your Food

Mercury is found in many types of fish and shellfish. Because significant amounts of mercury can harm unborn babies and young children, women who are or may become pregnant, those who are nursing, and young children should avoid some kinds of seafood.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers these guidelines:

* Avoid eating fish that contain high levels of mercury, including swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish.
* It's OK to eat up to 12 ounces per week of low-mercury fish and shellfish -- including shrimp, salmon, canned light tuna, pollock and catfish.
* Albacore tuna and tuna steak have more mercury than canned light tuna, so don't eat more than 6 ounces of albacore or tuna steak per week.
* Before you eat any fish caught locally, be aware of any advisories about the safety of local fish.