Back-to-school season is right around the corner and if you’re like me, you’re already worrying about all the colds, coughs and stomach infections that it may bring.
Not just that, school injuries are a mom’s worst nightmare too.
Over the years, though, I’ve started using a few basic tips to make staying healthy and safe at school easier for my daughter.
So, on that note, to help you {and myself} from freaking out over the new school season, here are some back to school health and safety tips to keep in mind:
1. Review Basic Hygiene with the Kids
Before school starts, go over basic hygiene habits so kids, especially younger ones, remember when in class.
Simple things like, washing their hands before lunch and after they go to the washroom, or not sharing food or drink with friends, especially if your child has food allergies.
Also, talk about not eating food that falls to the ground or putting pencils, crayons or ahem, play dough into their mouth. Yes, it happens.
2. Let’s Talk Lunch
If school lunches are right for your family, make sure you go over the cafeteria choices and help kids choose healthier options.
The Kids Health website recommends encouraging kids to take a packed lunch occasionally so you can boost nutritional quotient.
Better nutrition equals better immunity.
3. Help Kids Get to School Safely
Whether your kids walk to school or take the bus, it’s worthwhile to review basic pedestrian and road safety rules with them to prevent accidents and injuries.
According to the CDC, teen and young adult (ages 15-29 years) pedestrians are more likely to be treated in emergency departments for crash-related injuries compared to any other age group.
So, yes, even if your kids are older, they need to review road safety with you, especially if they’re walking to school.
From crossing the road safely to sticking to the sidewalk when possible, these basics are oft and sadly forgotten.
4. Play Safe on the Playground
Did you know that each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries? (Tinsworth 2001).
AND these are figures from a 2001 study. So, yeah, the numbers will definitely be more for 2015.
Keeping our kids safe on school playgrounds is vital. Before school season starts, visit the playground to make sure that equipment is safe and soft.
While a fall once in a while may be okay when growing up, statistics like these are scary, “Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for all children ages 0 to 19. Every day, approximately 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. This adds up to almost 2.8 million children each year” [source: CDC]
So, let the kids play on the swings and slides but teach them to be careful and also check with teachers about adult supervision during recess or play time to ensure there’s someone watching over the kids.
5. Pack a Back-friendly Backpack
When I first learnt about backpacks and back pain, it was a big surprise for me.
Honestly.
I never realized that backpacks that don’t properly fit a child can harm their back and shoulder muscles.
According to WebMD, kids’ backpacks can cause back, shoulder and neck pain when they’re too heavy. The AAOS recommends that a child shouldn’t carry a backpack that exceeds 15%-20% of their body weight,
I look for thick shoulder pads and encourage use of both straps to carry the backpack and not sling it on just one shoulder.
Plus, my daughter keeps quite a bit of her school supplies at school in her locker. This helps keep the daily backpack load light as well.
So, with school season right ahead, what are your back to school health and safety tips you’ll be revisiting with your kids?
Looking for more Back to School related tips and tools? Click here!
About Prerna:
Prerna Malik is the owner of The Mom Writes, a site that offers smart solutions to work-at-home moms. When she isn’t blogging for a living or running a social media agency with her husband, she’s baking cupcakes with her daughter or organizing a closet in her home. Download her free eBooks on organizing and productivity for busy mom entrepreneurs today!
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