The headlines today are filled with all sorts up interesting news that just may change how you think about your free time and down time.
First up, swimming. While a great way to cool down in the summer heat, not all pools and lakes are as safe as you may think. The CDC reported last week about 6 cases of brain eating amoebas. Before you panic, these cases are very rare and there are ways to avoid exposure. Check out the full story and my advice here on MomLogic.
Next up, rainy day fun on video game stations. As I told the MomLogic editors recently, we couldn’t wait to get ours but ended up with aches and pains we didn’t expect after our first round of Wii bowling. Turns out we were not alone and “Wii-itis” was a real phenonemon. Now, Playstation players are complaining of similar ills. These games are becoming so real, our muscles are truly getting a workout! As I wrote on MomLogic, follow 4 simple steps when playing these games:
1. Unplug and give your muscles a rest.
2. RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevation for the area involved.
3. Take pain medication when needed. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatories such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) are the most popular over-the-counter ones. Check with your pediatrician for the right dosage for your child.
4. Once you start feeling better, set time limits when gaming.
Finally, bunk beds. A very common item in many households and dorms, a new study out of Ohio State opens our eyes as to just how dangerous these beds truly are. In fact, according to the study, 36,000 kids a year are heading to ERs due to bunk bed-related injuries. I’ve seen a fair share of injuries over the years from bunk bed accidents – mostly falling off, and mostly in small kids. A new study released today in Pediatrics confirms what I’ve suspected for a long while: bunk beds are dangerous and especially to very small kids. In addition to following all the CPSC safety rules, the biggest take home message from this study is loud and clear: don’t allow kids under 6 to be in the top bunk. Otherwise, you may just end up coming to visit me or one of my colleagues at a local ER near you at some very early AM time.
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