It's that time of year again.... FLU SEASON.

The flu, or influenza, is a viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu can spread from person to person.

Flu Season Guide for Parents- Click Here

How to protect your child:

• New York State Department of Health recommends that all children 6 months and older get the seasonal flu vaccine. A flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child from seasonal flu.
• Get the seasonal flu vaccine for yourself.
• Encourage your child's close contacts to get seasonal flu vaccine, too. This is very important if your child is younger than 5 or if he or she has a chronic health problem such as asthma (breathing disease) or diabetes (high blood sugar levels).
• Wash your hands often and cover your coughs and sneezes. This will prevent the spread of germs.

Tell your children to:

• Stay away from people who are sick;
• Clean their hands often;
• Keep their hands away from their face, and
• Cover coughs and sneezes to protect others. It's best to use a tissue and quickly throw it away. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.

Keep in mind that your child care program or provider need to be approved to provide medication to your child while in care.

Click Here for more information 

 Use acetaminophen Safely. 

According to the FDA website, the FDA Advisory Panel met in May 2011 to discuss how to minimize medication errors and make children's over-the counter-medications that contains acetaminophen sager to use. 

 The FDA Advisory  Panel Recommended:

 1. That liquid, chewable, and tablet forms be made in just one strength. Currently, there are seven strengths available for these forms combined

2. That dosing instructions to reduce fever be developed for children as young as 6 months. Current instructions apply to children ages 2 to 12 years and for those under 2, only state "consult a doctor."

3. That dosing instructions be based on weight, not just age.

4. Setting standards for dosing devices, such as spoons and cups, for children's medicines. Currently, some use milliliters (ml) while others use cubic centimeters (cc) or teaspoons (its).

Click Here for additional information from the FDA

The FDA also provides tips for Giving Acetaminophen to Children:  

•  Never give your child more than one medicine containing acetaminophen at a time. To find out if an OTC medicine contains acetaminophen, look for "acetaminophen" on the Drug Facts label under the section called "Active Ingredient." For prescription pain relievers, ask the pharmacist if the medicine contains acetaminophen.
• Choose the right OTC medicine based on your child's weight and age. The "Directions" section of the Drug Facts label tells you if the medicine is right for your child and how much to give. If a dose for your child's weight or age is not listed on the label or you can't tell how much to give, ask your pharmacist or doctor what to do.
• Never give more of an acetaminophen-containing medicine than directed. If the medicine doesn't help your child feel better, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
• If the medicine is a liquid, use the measuring tool that comes with the medicine-not a kitchen spoon.
• Keep a daily record of the medicines you give to your child. Share this information with anyone who is helping care for your child.
• If your child swallows too much acetaminophen, get medical help right away, even if your child doesn't feel sick. For immediate help, call the 24-hour Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222, or call 911.

A new version of Acetaminophen may be in some stores soon.  

 Be aware of which product you are using.

What has changed?

THE NEW VERSION

• Less concentrated
• Dosage Instructions: There would be a new dosage chart for infants (consult a doctor for children under 3 months old) and children 2 -12 years old.  
• New measuring device: For Infants an oral syringe. For Children ages 2 - 12 years a measuring cup with standardized milliliters (ml) increments.
• New packaging (safety features): Flow restrictions on bottles

Click Here for additional information on How to recognize and use old and new infant acetaminophen.

Child Safety 

Being concerned about your child's safety and well being, in this fast-paced world is challenging. We have all grown up learning different means on protecting ourselves (i.e. stranger danger) but many of us did not have the constant digital technology available while we were children. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) offers easy-to-use safety resources to help address these challenges. NCMEC shares that it is more beneficial to help build children's confidence and teach them to respond to a potentially dangerous situation, rather than teaching them to look out for a particular type of person.

Click Here for "Stranger Danger" Warnings Not Effective to Keeping Kids Safer

Click Here for a Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet: Tips for Parents and Guardians

Click Here for Know the Rules - Internet Safety Quiz for Adults

Click Here for Natural Disasters: Is your family prepared?

Click Here for information on Cyberbullying (resource stopbullying.gov)

 Bullying

According to the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services 15-25 percent of U.S. students are bullied with some frequency. Since bullying can impact children's educational success, and can have lasting social and emotional consequences, it is important to address this public health problem.  Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional (not accidental or done in fun) and that involves an imbalance of power or strength. Often, bullying is repeated over time. Bullying can take many forms, such as: hitting or punching, teasing or name-calling, intimidation through gestures, social exclusion, and sending insulting messages or pictures by mobile phone or using the Internet-also known as cyberbullying.

The resources below are from stopbullying.gov  

Recognizing Bullying:

There are many warning signs that could indicate that someone is involved in bullying, either by bullying others or by being bullied.  However, these warning signs may indicate other issues or problems, as well.  If you are a parent or educator, learn more about talking to someone about bullying.

• Comes home with damaged or missing clothing or other belongings
• Reports losing items such as books, electronics, clothing, or jewelry
• Has unexplained injuries
• Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or feeling sick
• Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams
• Has changes in eating habits
• Hurts themselves
• Are very hungry after school from not eating their lunch
• Runs away from home
• Loses interest in visiting or talking with friends
• Is afraid of going to school or other activities with peers
• Loses interest in school work or begins to do poorly in school
• Appears sad, moody, angry, anxious or depressed when they come home
• Talks about suicide
• Feels helpless
• Often feels like they are not good enough
• Blames themselves for their problems
• Suddenly has fewer friends
• Avoids certain places
• Acts differently than usual

• Becomes violent with others
• Gets into physical or verbal  fights with others
• Gets sent to the principal's office or detention a lot
• Has extra money or new belongings that cannot be explained
• Is quick to blame others
• Will not accept responsibility for their actions
• Has friends who bully others
• Needs to win or be best at everything