PARENTING PRIMER
Keep medicines far away from children
Advertiser News Services
Poison control centers answer more than 1 million emergency calls a year regarding children younger than 6, and nearly half of those calls involve concern over exposures to medicines, according to a national poison prevention program for young children.
That's why the Safe at Home With Stop-and-Think Sam program, sponsored by the American Association of Poison Control Centers and Merck-Medco, is offering these safety tips:
• Up and away. Keep all medications and hazardous chemicals in original, labeled, child-resistant containers. Lock them out of sight and reach of children. Clean out your medicine cabinet and throw out medications that have passed their expiration date.
• No trips to the "candy store." Don't call medicine "candy" no matter how hard it is to get a child to take medications. While the psychology might achieve a short-term goal, the child might come across medicines on his own and think they are sweet treats.
• Never play doctor. Read and follow label instructions every time a medication is being dispensed. Do not give a prescription medicine to anyone other than the person it's prescribed for.
• Beware iron's danger. Adult-strength iron preparations are dangerous for young children. Lock vitamins and supplements out of sight and reach of children.
• Be prepared for possible poisoning. Always call a poison center if you think there has been a poisoning. On O'ahu, it's 941-4411; for the Neighbor Islands, it's (800) 362-3585; the National Poison Control phone number is (800) 222-1222. Keep a bottle of ipecac syrup or activated charcoal in the house because the poison center may recommend their use.
More poison-control tips can be downloaded from merckmedco.com/ under the "health and wellness" heading.
Hectic weekends hard on parents
In a recent survey by Parenting magazine, almost half of parents said Saturdays and Sundays are just as hectic as the work week. Weekends are packed with errands, chores and children's activities, they said. Almost 40 percent of respondents said they crave more private time with their significant others. More than half said they crack open their briefcase at least some weekends. And 80 percent said their kids have better weekends than they did at the same age.
Bed-rest questions
One out of five pregnant women is sent to bed by her doctor to avoid giving birth prematurely. If you'll be bedbound, be sure to ask your doctor these specifics:
• How long must I stay in bed?
• Can I get up to use the bathroom, bathe or eat?
• Can I care for my other children as usual, including lifting and carrying them?
• Can I work from home?
• If it's OK to do household chores? Can I use stairs or drive a car?
• Should I avoid sexual intercourse?
