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AMA & AMA Alliance Offer Good Health Tips: Children & Adolescents
Make your child's world a safe one -- It is important to create a safe environment for our children - both inside and outside of the home. Here are some suggestions on how to do that:
Avoid smoking or using tobacco products around your children.
Lock firearms away and out of children's reach.
Keep toxic poisons stored where small children can't find them.
Place sleeping babies on their backs to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Make sure your children are buckled up in the car at all times -- and that small children are buckled into car seats that have been properly installed.
Open up a dialogue - It's never too early to talk to your children about growing up healthy -- and about the dangers of smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs. Remember, the average age that children start drinking and smoking is 12 years old. And the average age they start smoking marijuana is 14. These are only averages -- many children begin these unhealthy habits even earlier.
One of the most important things parents can do to help their children remain substance free is discuss these issues with them - and be directly involved in their lives. For our children, growing up healthy involves more than just making good choices. As parents, you should be active in your children's lives -- get to know their friends, eat meals with your children, and most importantly - have fun with them.
Protect your kids from infection. Immunize! - Immunization is the best way to protect children against many infectious diseases. It's important to make sure that your children are immunized at the correct ages. See a recommended immunization schedule online or obtain one from your pediatrician.
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