Costs for almost everything keep going up. Gas, heating, health insurance, groceries — it’s all an American family can do to keep their heads above water. At least with health care and health insurance, there are some things parents can do to keep costs to a minimum, while helping to keep children healthy and safe at the same time.
Now that kids are going back to school, parents can take some simple steps to help keep their kids safe from all the dangers they may be exposed to on the school ground and in the classroom.
Keep vaccinations up to date
The best way to treat infections and illnesses is to avoid them in the first place, and the best way to avoid the worst illnesses is to vaccinate against them. Many health insurance plans cover vaccinations. Before they go back to school, make sure your kids have all their inoculations up to date so they don’t catch anything that may be going around. Make sure that yours are up to date, too, so they don’t bring home anything to you.
Wear a helmet
A lot of kids ride their bikes to school, at least in good weather. If your kids do so, make sure they wear their helmets. Head injuries among cyclists are among the most preventable injuries for adults and children. Helmets reduce the risk of serious head injuries by up to two-thirds, so they just make sense.
Travel safely
A large number of school-related injuries occur when kids travel to and from school. You can help to reduce the risk in a number of ways:
- Make sure that your children know their home phone number and address before going to school for the first time.
- Choose the most direct route to school with the fewest intersections not protected by crossing guards.
- Practice the route with young children.
- Obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Make sure that every child walking or cycling to school has a partner, such as a sibling, close friend or parent.
- Reinforce the message not to accept rides from strangers. It may seem like an old message, but every generation needs to hear it again. Explain carefully to your kids that they should never take a ride from someone they don’t know, no matter what they say.
- If your child takes a bus to school, teach them to arrive at the bus stop early, watch for cars on the street, and remain seated with their heads and arms inside the bus at all times until the bus comes to a complete stop.
Get involved in school
Become a part of the school-parent network. Help ensure that sports and playground equipment is in good repair and regularly maintained. Inspect the grounds yourself and point out hazards to school administration.
Bullying and violence is still, unfortunately, common in schools. Teachers and administrators cannot prevent every incident, no matter how motivated and aware they may be. Parents can help by being involved, promoting anti-bullying programs and raising awareness of the issue.
Teach healthy behavior
Model healthy behavior so your children can learn by example.
- Eat healthy: Pack healthy lunches for your kids, and eat healthy, yourself, at home. This means an emphasis on fresh foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, and a limit on processed food and food with high sugar content.
- Encourage regular activity: Staying physically active promotes physical and mental health as well as academic achievement. Organized school sports are an important component of regular physical activity, but it’s not the only way. Family outings and activities are fun, healthy and help to reinforce family bonds.
- Teach health through life: Kids don’t grow out of the need to stay healthy. Keep teaching safety and health as your children grow into teenagers. Older kids need information about protecting themselves against colds, flues, infections and sexually transmitted diseases.
Keep health insurance policies up to date
Your insurance needs change as your children grow. Talk to us to make sure you have the right coverage for your age and situation.