Health Tips for January 10

Health Tip: Safe Use of Air Bags

Air bags can save the lives of you and your children, but they can also injure children if the youngsters are unrestrained or improperly restrained. The American College of Emergency Physicians offers these suggestions regarding air bags: Everyone in the car should always wear their seat belts. The front seats of the car should be moved back as far as is possible and comfortable. Young children should always be in the back seat, in either a car seat or booster seat. The driver should sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel. Placing the driver's hands at the 10 and 2 positions on the steering wheel can offer protection in the event that an air bag is deployed. Health Tip: Drive Safely With Arthritis Arthritis can make the joints in your arms, shoulders and hands stiff and swollen. It can also make driving a car a challenge, including affecting your ability to see other drivers next to you or behind you. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says regular exercise can help make driving easier and safer. So can medications designed to manage your arthritis -- as long as they don't make you drowsy, the agency advises. If you find that you have trouble driving, speak with your doctor. Special devices can be installed in your car to make it easier to drive. But first, you'll need to be trained on how to use these appliances.