Before throwing out the meat and seeds of a carved Halloween pumpkin chew on this:
Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and potassium, and the seeds are high in fiber, vitamin B12 and polyunsaturated fatty acids, one of the so-called good fats.
"The flesh of pumpkin and the seeds are abundant in many essential nutrients," says Lona Sandon, a registered dietitian at UT Southwestern Medical Center. "Pumpkins are low in fat, calories and are loaded with vitamins."
If you are planning to use fresh pumpkin for baking, Sandon says, choose smaller, blemish- and bruise-free pumpkins. Smaller pumpkins have softer and tastier meat. To maintain freshness, pumpkins should be stored in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
And don't forget to oven roast the pumpkin seeds. They are ideal as snacks or as a salad topping.
Check out our Purely Pumpkin Recipe Collection!
(10-20-09)
The end of outdoor swimming and pool season doesn't mean the end of drowning dangers for young children. After pools, more children drown in bathtubs than in any other product in and around the home.
For 2003-2005, CPSC staff received reports of an average of 90 children younger than 5 years of age who drowned in bathtubs (62 percent); baby seats or bathinettes (15 percent); buckets and pails (11 percent); landscaping or yard products (6 percent); and other products (4 percent). There was an annual average of an additional 39 reports of non-fatal submersion incidents for 2005-2007 that were reported for the same products. The majority of drownings and non-fatal submersion incidents involved children younger than 2 years old.
"What parents need to know is that anywhere there is water, there is a potential drowning hazard to children," says Inez Tenenbaum, CPSC Chairman. "Parents shouldn't let their guard down; young children need constant supervision around bathtubs, bath seats and buckets."
Many of the reported incidents involved a lapse in supervision by caregivers, such as leaving the bathroom momentarily while the child was in the bathtub to answer the phone/door or to retrieve an item like a towel. In other incidents, an older sibling was left to watch a younger sibling.
CPSC recommends parents and caregivers follow these safety tips when children are around bathtubs, bath seats, buckets, spas or decorative ponds or fountains:
Never leave young children alone, even for a moment, near any water. Young children can drown quickly in even small amounts of water.
Always keep a young child within arm's reach in a bathtub. If you must leave, take the child with you.
Don't leave a baby or toddler in a bathtub under the care of another young child.
Never leave a bucket containing even a small amount of liquid unattended. Toddlers can fall headfirst into buckets and drown. After using a bucket, always empty and store it where young children cannot reach it. Don't leave buckets outside where they can collect rainwater.
Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). It can be a lifesaver when seconds count.
(10-20-09)
Many people who have died from 2009 H1N1 influenza in the United States had co-infections with a common bacteria (
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus), which likely contributed to their death, according to a report published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. CDC is reminding people of the importance of being vaccinated against this common bacterium.
"Our influenza season is off to a fast start and unfortunately there will be more cases of bacterial infections in people suffering from influenza," says CDC Epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Moore. "It's really important for people, especially those at high risk for the serious complications from influenza, to check with their provider when they get their influenza vaccine about being vaccinated against pneumococcus."
The CDC report included an analysis of specimens taken from 77 fatal cases of 2009 H1N1. Bacterial co-infections, including some caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, were noted in about a third of those cases. The following are CDC's recommendations for vaccination against Streptococcus pneumonia:
All children under 5 years of age should receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine according to current recommendations.
In addition, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) should be administered to all persons 2 to 64 years with high-risk conditions and everyone 65 years and older.
The entire MMWR report can be found at www.cdc.gov/mmwr.
Read the following for more information:
Pregnant Women Urged to Get Swine Flu Vaccine
Swine Flu and Pregnancy: How Does the Influenza H1N1 Strain Affect Mom-to-be?
Swine Flu and Babies: Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment for the Swine Flu
Swine Flu Vaccine: One Shot or Two? (10-06-09)
For young children, the home is a playground, and while many parents childproof to ensure that their home is a safe place, some may not be aware that unsecured TVs, furniture and appliances are hidden hazards lurking in every room. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents once again to take simple, low-cost steps to prevent deaths and injuries associated with furniture, TV and appliance tip-overs.
CPSC staff estimates that in 2006, 16,300 children 5 years old and younger were treated in emergency rooms because of injuries associated with TV, furniture and appliance tip-overs, and between 2000 and 2006, CPSC staff received reports of 134 tip-over related deaths. Additionally, CPSC staff is aware of at least 30 media reports of tip-over deaths since January 2007 involving this same age group.
"Many parents are unaware of the deadly danger of this hidden hazard. I urge parents to include securing TVs, furniture and appliances in their childproofing efforts," says CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Taking a few moments now can prevent a tip-over tragedy later."
"You may think your home is safe, but everyday things like a television can hurt your child. I was right there and it happened," says Sylvia Santiago, of West Haven, Conn., who lost her 2-year-old daughter in 2008.
Typically, injuries and deaths occur when children climb onto, fall against or pull themselves up on television stands, shelves, bookcases, dressers, desks, chests and appliances. In some cases, televisions placed on top of furniture tip over and cause a child to suffer traumatic and sometimes fatal injuries. "The most devastating injuries that we see resulting from furniture tipping on children are injuries to the brain and when a child is trapped under a heavy piece of furniture and suffocates," says Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
Recent revisions to the voluntary safety standards for clothes storage units provide for the inclusion of warning labels and additional hardware to secure the furniture to the floor or wall. To help prevent tip-over hazards, CPSC offers the following safety tips:
Furniture should be stable on its own. For added security, anchor chests or dressers, TV stands, bookcases and entertainment units to the floor or attach them to a wall.
Place TVs on a sturdy, low-rise base. Avoid flimsy shelves.
Push the TV as far back as possible.
Place electrical cords out of a child's reach, and teach kids not to play with them.
Keep remote controls and other attractive items off the TV stand so kids won't be tempted to grab for them and risk knocking the TV over.
Make sure free-standing ranges and stoves are installed with anti-tip brackets.
Learn more by reading Toppling Televisions: Taking Precautions to Keep Babies Safe Around TVs.
(9-29-09)
Chlorine is effective at killing pathogens in swimming pools, but it also irritates the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract of swimmers, according to a study in the journal
Pediatrics. Recent research has found swimming in outdoor or indoor chlorinated pools can increase asthma risks. The study found that children who swim in chlorinated pools have a higher risk of asthma, as well as other allergic diseases such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis.
Researchers in Belgium compared the health of adolescents who swim in chlorinated pools to adolescents who swim in pools sanitized with a concentration of copper and silver. In children with allergic sensitivities (atopy), exposure to chlorinated pools significantly increased the prevalence of asthma and respiratory allergies.
Study authors suggest the chlorine-based oxidants in the water or just above the water cause changes in the airway and promote the development of allergic diseases. The findings reinforce the need for further research and to enforce regulations on the level of these chemicals in the water and air of swimming pools.
(9-22-09)
Families Fighting Flu (FFF) reminds parents to get their children vaccinated against the seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children 6 months through 18 years of age get a seasonal flu vaccination each year. This is the first year that this full influenza vaccination recommendation for children will be implemented by all doctors.
"Every year we remind families about the importance of getting children vaccinated against the flu," says Richard Kanowitz, president of FFF. "This year, it is just as important as any other to get your kids vaccinated. The seasonal flu is very serious as it took the life of my healthy daughter who was only 4 years old when she died. I do not want what happened to my family to happen to any other family; therefore, I encourage everyone to call their doctor now and make an appointment to get your kids vaccinated."
FFF is also announcing the availability of a new public service announcement (PSA) that features soccer legend and mom, Mia Hamm, who talks about the importance of getting a seasonal flu vaccination this year and every year. The goal of the PSA is to encourage families to get their kids, and themselves, vaccinated against the seasonal flu, which is the single best way to stay healthy. The PSA was developed in partnership with FFF, the American Youth Soccer Organization and MedImmune.
"I am excited about this new PSA as it is another great tool to help educate families about the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination," says Joe Lastinger, board member of FFF who lost his healthy 3-year-old daughter to influenza in 2004. "As a dad who has kids that play sports, it is very important to my wife and me that we help keep our children healthy by getting them vaccinated every year so that they don't get sidelined by the flu. We've seen firsthand the devastation that can result from not getting children vaccinated. It's our responsibility as parents to protect our children, so please get them a seasonal flu vaccination this year and every year."
To view the new PSA, click here.
Learn more by reading the following:
Swine Flu and Pregnancy
Swine Flu and Babies
Tackling Influenza: Healthy Decisions This Flu Season
Pregnant Women and New Parents Urged to Get Swine Flu Vaccine
Swine Flu Vaccine: One Shot or Two?
CDC Answers Questions About Swine Flu and Breastfeeding
Expert Tips for Swine Flu Prevention
What Parents Should Know About Swine Flu
(9-15-09)
It may be trendy to carry bottled water – tap or otherwise – but it's just plain smart when the thermostat's inching toward 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade. Lona Sandon, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says water is the best option for hydration, but opt for a sports drink if you are exercising or working in the heat for more than 90 minutes. Signs of dehydration include weakness, exhaustion and delirium.
"Just be sure to steer clear of alcohol and caffeinated drinks like tea and sodas," says Sandon, also a registered dietitian. "They may add to your fluid intake but may leave you feeling light headed and jittery, making it difficult to tell if you are well hydrated."
(9-08-09)
As summer comes to an end and children return to school, it is important to remember safety in the classroom. According to Safe Kids USA statistics, an estimated 14 million children are unintentionally injured each year – with as much as 25 percent of those incidents occurring in and around schools. Early childhood education professionals can help prevent some of these incidents simply by childproofing all classrooms to eliminate potential hazards.
One such safety measure features cordless window products. The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is reminding teachers and child care professionals to use only cordless window products in the classroom to help ensure a safer learning environment. According to information provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, since 1990, more than 200 infants and young children have died from accidentally strangling in window cords.
"Teachers who replace their window coverings with the cordless products available can feel more confident about their students' safety," says WCSC Executive Director Peter Rush.
To maximize window-cord safety when young children are present, teachers and child care professionals are urged to follow these safety guidelines:
Install only cordless window coverings in school rooms and nap areas. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with today's safer products.
Keep furniture away from windows. Move all furniture, desks and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.
Lock cords of horizontal blinds or shades. Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.
Learn more by visiting www.WindowCoverings.org.
(8-18-09)
Did you know that approximately half of all children will eventually suffer from a fracture or serious orthopedic injury? It's no surprise to Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital (
www.orthohospital.org), a world leader in pediatric orthopedic treatment, research and education for nearly a century. Each year, their doctors treat more than 13,000 children with fractures, half of these occurring during summer months and the first part of the school year.
"Children grow rapidly and have open growth plates, which increases their potential for fractures," says Dr. Mauricio Silva, associate medical director for the Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Center, one of a team of specially trained pediatric orthopedists available to treat children in need of fracture care. "To help avoid potential accidents and broken bones, parents and caregivers need to be responsible for the necessary safety precautions, maintenance and repair of any play equipment and involve their child in the process of learning the safety requirements of participating in a particular activity."
Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital pediatric orthopaedic experts offer these top five tips for keeping kids bones safe:
Provide proper adult supervision at home. For example, use non-slip rugs, appropriate stools or ladders with non-skid legs, child safety locks on cupboard doors and drawers so children cannot climb up them.
Cushion playground areas. Use playground equipment with a protective soft surface surrounding it, along with close adult supervision.
Practice bike safety. Keep children's bicycles in good working order and make sure they adhere to the rules of the road, such as using helmets, reflectors/light at dusk and hand signals.
Use protective gear for outdoor sports. This includes wrist guards and helmets, braces and kneepads during activities.
Avoid or use extreme caution during high-risk activities. This includes trampoline use in the home and riding all-terrain vehicles.
"For many children, rapid access to pediatric orthopaedic specialists makes the difference between a childhood accident or a debilitating injury with lifetime consequences," says Dr. Silva. "Because children's bones heal fast and should be treated differently than an adult's, a fracture not seen within days of occurring will start to heal, aligned or not, which can cause problems including deformity, pain, and arthritis down the road. But if a fracture is treated promptly and correctly, many complications can be avoided and the child is more likely to have a healthy recovery."
The most common types of fractures seen in children at Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital are elbow, ankle and forearm. If a child falls or has an accident, Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital doctors recommend the following:
Look for areas of swelling and/or deformity.
Elevate the extremity, apply ice and seek medical attention if there is swelling and/or deformity.
Cleanse deep abrasions with soap and water.
Seek medical attention for deep abrasions/lacerations or if the surrounding skin becomes red and warm.
Seek medical attention if the child cannot stand or walk on an injured extremity.
Take any symptoms of headache seriously and seek medical attention.
(8-18-09)
On August 14, 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) will take effect that are aimed at making children's products safer and increasing consumer confidence in the marketplace. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is educating domestic and overseas manufacturers, importers, and distributors of children's products and other consumer goods of these important new safety requirements.
CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said the CPSIA's new requirements will help protect families and she urged businesses to comply. "I will ensure that these requirements are enforced vigorously and fairly," said Tenenbaum. "By ensuring that toys and other children's products meet strict lead limits and can be tracked in the event of a recall, I believe children will be better protected in their homes."
The requirements that become effective on August 14 include:
Lead Content: The limit for lead in children's products drops from 600 parts per million (ppm) to 300 ppm. After August 14, it will be unlawful to manufacture, import, sell, or offer for sale, a children's product that has more than 300 ppm of lead in any part (except electronics) that is accessible to children.
Lead in Paint and Similar Surface Coating Materials: The limit for lead in paint and similar surface-coating materials for consumer use drops from 600 ppm to 90 ppm. The lead paint limits also apply to toys and other articles intended for children as well as certain furniture products. Products subject to these limits cannot be sold, offered for sale, imported or manufactured after August 14 unless they meet the new lower lead limits.
Civil Penalties:Civil penalties increase substantially to a maximum of $100,000 per violation and up to a maximum of $15 million for a related series of violations. Previously, civil penalties were a maximum of $8,000 per violation and up to a maximum of $1.825 million for a related series of violations.
Tracking Labels:Manufacturers must place permanent distinguishing marks (tracking label) on any consumer product primarily intended for children 12 and younger made on or after August 14, 2009. The permanent marks must enable consumers to ascertain basic information, including the manufacturer or private labeler, location, the date of manufacture, and more detailed information on the manufacturing process such as a batch or run number. The permanent distinguishing marks must appear on the product itself and its packaging to the extent practicable. Learn more about the tracking label requirement at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103.html#faqs.
Catalog Advertising: Advertising for certain toys and games intended for use by children from three to six years old must have warnings regarding potential choking hazards to children younger than three. The requirement to include warnings in Internet advertisements went into effect on December 12, 2008. There was a grace period for the requirement for catalogues and other printed materials, but this grace period expired August 9, 2009. All catalogues and other printed materials distributed on or after August 9, 2009, regardless of when they were printed, must include the appropriate warnings.
Visit CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html for more information about the agency's successful implementation of the CPSIA.
(8-18-09)
See parents helping parents in action! 
