This information is to be used as a reference manual on some basic health and safety concerns for children. It is intended for reference only and in no way should be a substitute for seeking medical attention.

If ever a medical emergency or situation exists, always notify your physician and/or call an ambulance or the rescue squad without delay.

Common Problems
Guidelines to Help Your Sick Child Feel Better
When to Call the Doctor
When Hospitalization is Necessary
Safety Precautions
Poison Prevention

When Your Child is Ill
When your child is sick, it is important to know what to do. Just because your child appears sick, it may not always be serious, and it may not be necessary to call your doctor.

Common Problems

Fever often is the first sign of an infectious illness. However, a fever less than 101 degrees may not be bad. A mild fever helps the body fight infection and helps your doctor determine the progression of the illness. The body's temperature varies and 98.6 degrees is not normal for everyone.

• Factors affecting body temperature include room temperature, physical activity, time of day and whether it is a rectal or an oral reading. The ideal time to take body temperature is in the early morning or late afternoon. Take your child's temperature any time you think he may have a fever. High fever can be reduced by a lukewarm sponge bath.
  Call your doctor when
  • fever persists or periodically reaches 101 degrees or more
  • convulsions (trembling, rigidity, loss of consciousness) occur-this is common when babies and toddlers have a high fever

• Upper Respiratory Infections are common and usually mild. In most cases, these can be treated at home. Common upper respiratory infections include ear and nose infections, sore throat and swollen glands.
  Call your doctor when
  • your child has a sore throat combined with fever and swollen glands
  • mild sore throat persists without fever or runny nose
  • your child has a fever over 101 degrees, a stiff neck or back, noticeable behavior change or if swollen glands appear larger than a pea or are firm or tender and red

• Lower Respiratory Infections are characterized by coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing. Coughing is a natural way of ridding the lungs of mucus. Unless coughing is persistent or severe, it is not a bad sign. A hoarse cough accompanied by tight breathing and restlessness may be a sign of croup. Adding moisture to the air can be helpful. A persistent, wet sounding cough accompanied by fever can be bronchitis. Rapid breathing, high fever and a persistent cough can be pneumonia.
  Call your doctor when
  • your child has difficulty breathing or your child's color changes (becomes pale or blue)
  • a cough is accompanied by fever reaching 101 degrees or more.

• Intestinal Upsetsor "Stomachaches" usually are minor and only temporary. Common causes include overeating, excitement, hidden tensions or constipation. Vomiting may be a result of a viral illness. Frequent, small amounts of clear liquids for young children and infants may help prevent dehydration. Diarrhea often is caused by diet, but also can be a result of viral illness. Constipation is a common occurrence especially in five to 10 year olds. Encouraging a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as plenty of fluids, should prevent problems. Do not give laxatives to any child without the advice of a doctor.
  Call your doctor when
  • abdominal pain and/or constipation accompanies vomiting
  • persistent, increasing abdominal pain is accompanied by tenderness in the abdomen
  • diarrhea and/or vomiting last for several hours
  • urine output decreases

^ Top Guidelines to Help Your Sick Child Feel Better

Medicines

• Follow prescription directions exactly as written.
• Ask your doctor which prescription drugs to keep on hand, when to use them, how much and how often they should be given.
• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children. Use childproof containers, and lock them up.
• Do not give medicine without your doctor's advice.
• Do not give unused prescription medicines for illnesses with the same symptoms, unless your doctor approves.
• Do not give any prescription to any person other than the patient for whom it is prescribed.

Food

• A sick child should not be forced to eat.
• Liquids are more important than solid foods.
• Encourage frequent, small portions of bland foods and fluids.

Rest and Recreation

• Children will sleep when they need to sleep and rest when they need to rest. Let them regulate themselves.
• Allow your child to play.
• Do not forget the T.L.C. (Tender Loving Care).

^ Top When to Call the Doctor

Think of questions your doctor might ask.

• When did you first notice the illness?
• What is your evaluation of the situation, including details such as fever, headache, earache and activity level?
• What is the location of pain, and how has it changed or worsened?
• What is your child's temperature (rectal or oral)?
• Has your child recently been exposed to other sick children?

Make a list of

• signs and symptoms you see as illness.
• any medications that have been given, how much and when were they given .
• be specific in your descriptions. Include things such as
  • type of cough (dry, loose, choking, constant, "barky," wheezy)
  • breathing (normal, shallow, rapid, labored)
  • vomiting (how many times in 24 hours, color and amount)
  • diarrhea (how many stools in 24 hours, color and amount)
  • the name of your local pharmacy and its phone number

Write down

• your doctor's instructions (you may want to repeat them back for clarity)
• when you should call back or take the child to the doctor's office
• what changes to look for

Remember, you and your doctor work as a team to help your child get well and stay healthy. Try to evaluate the illness and call with specific information to better enable your doctor to make decisions. Not all questions may be answered over the phone and, in most cases, sick children need to be seen in the office. Do not expect your doctor to do the impossible.

^ Top When Hospitalization is Necessary

Hospitalization may scare both parents and children. Often knowing what to expect will help ease the fear of the unknown.

Ask questions.

• What should I expect?
• Can I stay in my child's room?
• What do I bring from home?

Be honest with your child and answer questions to the best of your ability.

• Why do I have to go to the hospital?
• Will you stay with me?
• How long will I be there?
• What will they do to me, and will it hurt?

Playing helps a child express feelings and often can help your child understand what will happen.

• Offer a doll for pretend "shots."
• Place bandages on a stuffed toy.
• Turn a doll house into a hospital.

Other Tips

• Try to visit the hospital with your child before the day of admission. This will help you both know what to expect.
• Read books with your child about going to the hospital.
• Help your child pack a bag of his special things to take to the hospital: toys, dolls, books, clothes and toothbrush.

^ Top Safety Precautions

Yearly, more than 26 million children under 16 in the United States are injured in accidents. Automobile collisions are the leading cause of accidental deaths, followed by drowning, fires, burns, gunshot wounds, falls, poisoning and mechanical suffocation. Accidents do not just happen. Most childhood injuries can be predicted and prevented.

Children are not little adults. A child is curious. Impulsive behavior and impatience often lead children into trouble. Although this is a great responsibility for parents, children cannot be expected to exercise mature judgment to protect themselves. Accident prevention is not difficult. It does not take much time or money, but it does require your attention. Providing a safe environment for your child requires you to take a "child's eye-view" of the house and yard, looking for potential hazards.

Traffic Safety

• Kids learn by example. Go for walks with your child and point out traffic hazards and reinforce rules. Supervise him until he proves to be a safe pedestrian.
  
  Most motor vehicle collisions occur close to home. Always buckle-up in the appropriate restraint device, no matter how short the ride. Remember, it is the law.

Drowning

• Very young children are at especially high risk. It takes only a small amount of water and a moment alone for a child to drown. It could happen in a bathtub, "kiddie pool," toilet bowl or pail of water.
• Do not be fooled. Swimming lessons are no guarantee your child will not drown.
• Never leave your child alone around water. If you must leave for any reason, take the child with you.

Fires and Burns

• Children are in more danger when they do not know how to react during a fire. Smoke can overwhelm a child in minutes.
• Install smoke detectors. Teach your child to recognize the alarm. Plan and practice a fire escape route.
• Teach and follow basic fire safety rules in your home. Setting a good example is the best way to teach your child.

Suffocation and Choking

• Infants and children will put anything in their mouths. Keep small objects out of reach.
• Playing while eating can be dangerous. Hard candy, hot dogs, grapes, popcorn, peanuts and raisins can be deadly to a young child.
• Learn basic first aid for choking and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Take the class. Do not put it off. It could save your child's life.

Falls

• Your home is full of potential hazards that can cause falls.
• Never leave an infant unattended.
• Keep stairs well lighted and clear of clutter. Install approved safety gates.
• Inspect playground equipment. Make sure it is safe for play.

Bicycle Safety

• A bicycle is a vehicle and a child is considered the driver of that vehicle. Check to ensure brakes are in working order as well as other working parts.
• Practice and review the "rules of the road" with your child.
  • Come to a complete stop at the end of the driveway. Make sure all is clear before entering the road.
  • Completely stop at a stop sign. Make sure all is clear before entering road.
  • Teach your child to look over his left shoulder, making sure all is clear before going around an object in the road or around a car parked on the side of the road.
• A helmet can prevent serious head and facial injuries, and even death. Make it a rule that your child wears a properly-fitting helmet every time he rides his bicycle.

Other Safety Precautions

• Cover unused outlets with safety caps to prevent electric shock.
• Inspect toys for safety. Only choose toys suitable for the age of your child.
• Firearms in the home should be kept unloaded and locked up. Teach your child that firearms are not toys and are dangerous
• Beware of heavy objects and furniture. Children climb and can pull furniture over.
• Protect your child from extremes in temperature. Use hats, sunglasses and sun block in the summer. Use hats, gloves and layered clothing in the winter.
• Never leave your child unattended in an automobile.
• Post current emergency numbers at a height your child can see. Instruct your child on how to use the 911 emergency number, if it is available in your area. Make sure your child knows how to get help by using the telephone. Practice with your child. It could save a life.

Every bump and bruise cannot be avoided. Common sense will reduce the risk of serious injury.

^ Top Poison Prevention

You can call the Poison Control Center at 1.800.288.9999. Young children will eat and drink almost anything. To reduce the risk of poisoning, consider the following.

• Keep household products and medicines out of the reach and sight of children, preferably in a locked cabinet or closet.
• Store medicines separately from other household products. Keep these items in their original containers, never in cups or soft drink bottles.
• Read and follow label directions on all products before using them.
• Always turn on the light when giving or taking medicine at night.
• Since children tend to imitate adults, avoid taking medications in their presence. Avoid drinking medicine from the bottle.
• Refer to medicines by their proper names; they are not candies.
• Clean out your medicine cabinet periodically. Get rid of old medicines by flushing them down the drain, rinsing the container in water and discarding it.
• Ask for and use household substances that are available in child-resistant packaging. Insist on safety packaging for prescription medicines. Carefully re-fasten the safety feature after using. Safety packaging is child resistant, not childproof.

Do You Know What to do if Poisoning Occurs?

• First of all, remain calm.
• Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor, and have the following information ready.
  • age of the patient
  • your name and telephone number
  • name of product and ingredients
  • amount involved
  • time poisoning occurred
  • any symptoms
• The Poison Control Center or doctor will give you instructions on what to do next.
• Follow instructions exactly, and ask questions if you do not understand.
• Do not try to make the child vomit unless told to do so.
• Have syrup of ipecac handy (medicine you can purchase at the drug store that will induce vomiting). Only use it when instructed to do so by the Poison Control Center or doctor.
• Bring the empty container the poison was in and any vomited material to the hospital with you.

Do You Know About Plants? Household plants have become one of the nation's leading causes of poisoning in children. It is important to know the names of all plants in your home and yard because identification cannot be accurately made from a telephone description.

Poisonous plants contain a wide variety of poisons. Symptoms may vary from mild stomachache, skin rash, swelling of the mouth and throat to involvement of the heart, kidneys and other organs. The Poison Control Center can give you more specific information. Call the Poison Control Center at 1.800.288.9999.

• Some Dos and Dont's
  • Never eat any part of an unknown plant or mushroom. Teach your children never to put leaves, stems, bark, seeds, nuts or berries from any plant into their mouths.
  • Keep poisonous house plants out of the reach of young children. Store bulbs and seeds out of sight and out of reach.
  • Learn to identify poisonous plants in your neighborhood.
  • Do not assume a plant is not poisonous because birds or other wildlife eat it.
  • Do not rely on cooking to destroy toxic chemicals in plants. Never use anything prepared from nature as a medicine or "tea."

Do You Know About Your Poison Control Center? In response to the increasing number of poison hazards, Poison Control Centers have been established to provide up-to-date information about potential hazards and to recommend treatment as needed.

For poisoning emergencies, call the Poison Control Center at 1.800.288.9999.

EMERGENCY: 911
POISON CONTROL: 1.800.288.9999