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Paper shredder safety
In this age of privacy intrusion and ID theft, many homes are purchasing paper shredders to dispose of personal papers. But the nation’s pediatricians are alerting parents to the dangers of paper shredders when you have a small child in the house. A recent report highlights the case of a toddler who was severely injured. The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on manufacturers to make their products safer for prying, tiny fingers; and they are urging their pediatrician members to ask parents if they have a paper shredder in the home and to remind parents to keep such machines unplugged and out-of-reach when not in use — by adults only.
More sun warnings
More research on the damage that can be done by the sun can be found in the latest edition of the journal, Pediatric Dermatology. No surprise to hear that skin cancer is the most rapidly growing cause of cancer death in the U.S., and researchers in the department of dermatology at Wake Forest University reiterate: We receive 50 percent of our total lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18.
And before indoor tanning becomes the latest craze for kids as well as adults, the researchers urge everyone to stay away from them; their report shows strong evidence for the relationship between indoor tanning and melanoma.
Parents must be diligent about educating kids about the dangers of overexposure to the sun. The researchers, in their report, urge pediatricians to talk to parents and their kids about UV protection. Research shows that pediatricians provide skin cancer counseling at less than one percent of office visits.
Clean hands
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands frequently — and properly. But as most parents know, kids rarely wash their hands for the recommended 15-20 seconds. SquidSoap, a new liquid soap, marks your hands with a dot of ink when you depress the dispenser, and the only way to remove the safe, FDA-approved ink is to thoroughly wash your hands. The citrus-y smelling soap is not anti-bacterial — because regular hand soap, used for the correct amount of time, is the best way to wash. Each SquidSoap comes with a removable, stretchy squid toy. The ink dispenser lasts a bit longer than the soap in the package, so you can refill the dispenser. SquidSoap is $3.49-$3.99, or $14.99 for a 4-pack at www.squidsoap.com.
No shell game
Egg Creations is a new liquid egg product made from real eggs, with DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids and lutein added for heart, brain and eye health. The eggs can be used in baking, or for omelets or scrambled eggs. And if your kids are helping you cook, there will be no more broken eggs on the floor or shells in the cookies. From Burnbrae Farms, $3.49 for a 16oz. package. At Food Emporium, Waldbaum's and Key Foods.
