Meriden and Wallingford Health Department News
Meriden Health Dept.
Meriden Health Department Offers Social Group for New Moms
The Meriden Health Department will be offering a free social group for new moms and moms-to-be who quit smoking during their pregnancy and want to stay smoke-free for their new baby.
This 10-week group will include sessions on how to manage stress, candle and jewelry making, how to start an exercise program, as well as tips and demonstrations on how to make healthy, quick meals. New moms and moms-to-be will also gain insightful tips on how to stay smoke-free from women who have been in their shoes.
This free group will be held on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., and will start on October 3, 2006. Free babysitting will be available, and nutritious snacks will be served at each session. To learn more about the program, please call Debbie Roman at the Health Department, at 203-630-4104.
Keep those Ghosts and Goblins Safe this Halloween
Safety Tips for a Safe Halloween
Children should:
Go only to well-lit houses and stay on porches – do not go into homes or apartments.
Travel in small groups with an adult.
Know their phone number and carry coins for emergency telephone calls.
Have their names and addresses attached to the inside of costumes.
Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.
Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
When walking in neighborhoods, they should–
Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars.
Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.
Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can block a child's vision.)
Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes.
Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes (to prevent tripping).
Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
Parents and adults should–
Supervise the outing for children under age 12.
Establish a curfew (a return time) for older children.
Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.
Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
Have trick-or-treaters eat a meal before they go out - this way they will be less tempted to eat treats before they are checked for safety.
Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it. When in doubt, throw it out.
Healthy Teeth = Healthy Smiles!
October is National Dental Hygiene Month
Early oral health care is very important for healthy smiles. But how early should care start? This article will address this and other questions surrounding children’s oral health care.
When Should I Start Caring for My Child’s Teeth?
Dental care should start before a baby’s first tooth appears. Just because you cannot see the teeth doesn’t mean they are not there. Running a damp washcloth (or gauze pad) over your baby’s gums following feeding can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush (but with no toothpaste) or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.
What Kind of Dentist Should My Child See?
You may want to take your child to a dentist who specializes in treating children. These dentists are called “pediatric dentists.” Pediatric dentists are trained to handle the wide range of issues associated with your child’s dental health.
How Can I Prevent Cavities?
It is recommended that your child’s first visit to the dentist take place by his or her first birthday. Here are some things to ask your child’s dentist to prevent cavities:
Ask about the use of topical fluoride when all of your child’s first teeth have come in (usually around age 2 ½ ). Fluoride hardens the tooth enamel, helping to prevent cavities.
If your water supply is not fluoridated, ask your dentist if you should use supplements.
Ask about the use of sealants as your child’s permanent teeth grow in.
Also, follow these tips:
Brush at least twice a day and floss routinely (this goes for kids and adults!). Children as young as age 2 or 3 can begin to use a pea-size amount of toothpaste, as long as they are supervised. Your dentist can recommend when to start using toothpaste.
If your baby needs a bottle to sleep, do not put anything in it but water. Sugar from juice or milk can stay on the baby’s teeth for hours and harm your baby’s teeth.
Your child will be saying “cheese” in no time!
Meriden Health Department Offers Social Group for New Moms
The Meriden Health Department will be offering a free social group for new moms and moms-to-be who quit smoking during their pregnancy and want to stay smoke-free for their new baby.
This 10-week group will include sessions on how to manage stress, candle and jewelry making, how to start an exercise program, as well as tips and demonstrations on how to make healthy, quick meals. New moms and moms-to-be will also gain insightful tips on how to stay smoke-free from women who have been in their shoes.
This free group will be held on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., and will start on October 3, 2006. Free babysitting will be available, and nutritious snacks will be served at each session. To learn more about the program, please call Debbie Roman at the Health Department, at 203-630-4104.
Keep those Ghosts and Goblins Safe this Halloween
Safety Tips for a Safe Halloween
Children should:
Go only to well-lit houses and stay on porches – do not go into homes or apartments.
Travel in small groups with an adult.
Know their phone number and carry coins for emergency telephone calls.
Have their names and addresses attached to the inside of costumes.
Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.
Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
When walking in neighborhoods, they should–
Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars.
Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.
Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can block a child's vision.)
Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes.
Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes (to prevent tripping).
Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
Parents and adults should–
Supervise the outing for children under age 12.
Establish a curfew (a return time) for older children.
Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.
Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
Have trick-or-treaters eat a meal before they go out - this way they will be less tempted to eat treats before they are checked for safety.
Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it. When in doubt, throw it out.
Healthy Teeth = Healthy Smiles!
October is National Dental Hygiene Month
Early oral health care is very important for healthy smiles. But how early should care start? This article will address this and other questions surrounding children’s oral health care.
When Should I Start Caring for My Child’s Teeth?
Dental care should start before a baby’s first tooth appears. Just because you cannot see the teeth doesn’t mean they are not there. Running a damp washcloth (or gauze pad) over your baby’s gums following feeding can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Once your child has a few teeth showing, you can brush them with a soft child’s toothbrush (but with no toothpaste) or rub them with gauze at the end of the day.
What Kind of Dentist Should My Child See?
You may want to take your child to a dentist who specializes in treating children. These dentists are called “pediatric dentists.” Pediatric dentists are trained to handle the wide range of issues associated with your child’s dental health.
How Can I Prevent Cavities?
It is recommended that your child’s first visit to the dentist take place by his or her first birthday. Here are some things to ask your child’s dentist to prevent cavities:
Ask about the use of topical fluoride when all of your child’s first teeth have come in (usually around age 2 ½ ). Fluoride hardens the tooth enamel, helping to prevent cavities.
If your water supply is not fluoridated, ask your dentist if you should use supplements.
Ask about the use of sealants as your child’s permanent teeth grow in.
Also, follow these tips:
Brush at least twice a day and floss routinely (this goes for kids and adults!). Children as young as age 2 or 3 can begin to use a pea-size amount of toothpaste, as long as they are supervised. Your dentist can recommend when to start using toothpaste.
If your baby needs a bottle to sleep, do not put anything in it but water. Sugar from juice or milk can stay on the baby’s teeth for hours and harm your baby’s teeth.
Your child will be saying “cheese” in no time!
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