a publication of the wakemed children’s center summer 07 · a publication of the wakemed...

3A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E W A K E M E D C H I L D R E N ’ S C E N T E R

A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e Wa k e M e d C h i l d r e n’s Center

S U M M E R 0 7

Summer Safety

TURNING TENChildren’s Emergency Departmentcelebrates tenth anniversary

OFF TO OVERNIGHT CAMP

what’s a tonsillectomy?

2 F A M I L I E S F I R S T s u m m e r 07

S U M M E R T I M E I S A G R E A T T I M E T O F O C U S O N W A T E R

S A F E T Y , not only around pools and lakes, but in your own home year ‘round.

Here are some startling statistics from Safe Kids Worldwide, an international

non-profit organization dedicated solely to preventing unintentional

childhood injuries:

More than half of drownings among infants(under age 1) occur in bathtubs.

More than half of drownings among children ages 1 to 4 are pool-related.

Children ages 5 to 14 most often drown at open-water sites, like rivers,lakes and oceans.

Keep your children safe around water...

W H E N P L A Y I N G

> Never leave children alone in the water.

> Teach children to swim at age 4.

> Tell children never to run, push or jump on others.

> Learn infant and child CPR.

> Make children wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

> Make sure children swim within designated swimming areas of rivers, lakes and

oceans.

> Don’t allow children to wear bathing suits with long strings that can become

entangled in a pool ladder. Long hair should also be secured.

A T H O M E

> Keep toilet lids down.

> Keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed.

> Keep children in baby bath rings within arm’s reach.

For more information about how to keep your child safe, visit www.safekids.org.

Summertime pool

environments, where

adults get caught up in

conversation, are

particularly risky for small

children. Even in shallow

water, children can

become disoriented and

drown without making a

sound. Others just walk

into deeper water or jump

in and fail to surface.

Start swimming lessons

at age 4.

Don’t rely fully on

lifeguards because they

often can’t tell if a child is

playing on the bottom of

the pool or drowning.

Remind older kids to swim

with buddies and never

dive into water where

they are not sure

of the depth.

S A F E K I D SC O R N E Ro

HOT TUBS AND POOLS: THE DANGER LURKING BELOW

Pools and hot tubs are so much fun, but you can’t always see what’s lurking down below. Did you know

that if older pools or tubs have not been voluntarily fitted with a protective drain cover, someone could

become entrapped? The powerful suction of the filtration system can cause hair, clothing and body parts

to attach to a drain, trapping the victim below the water’s surface.

Your local pool supply store will carry drain covers. If you notice that your swimming facility’s drain cover is

missing or broken, shut it down immediately.

For more information, go to http://www.usa.safekids.org/water/pool.html.

WARN YOUR

CHILDREN ABOUT

THE DANGERS OF

ENTANGLEMENT

AND ENTRAPMENT,

AND TEACH THEM

TO STAY AWAY

FROM THE DRAIN.

Recognizing Serious Head Injuries

Serious head trauma may be signaled by loss of consciousness, even

if it’s only for a brief period. Other signs include persistent nausea

or vomiting, confusion or amnesia, and severe headache. Don’t

rely on pupil size, since this is not an early sign. By the time one is

larger than the other, the child would be unconscious.

If any of these symptoms are present, seek

medical attention. With milder injuries, the

child may have some initial sleepiness (they

were usually very active just before the

accident) and one or two episodes of

vomiting. These children should be evaluated

periodically by quizzing them on immediate

memories and other easy tasks, such as

picking out a toy, making sure they are

oriented and easily awakened, and do not

have significant headaches.


MILLION KIDS GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT EACH YEAR.

SOURCE: SAFE K IDS USA6


There’s nothing like warm weather to get children active.

Those fun summer days, however, provide the greatest

opportunity to wind up in the emergency department.

According to Safe Kids USA, half of all unintentional

injuries and deaths of children occur from May to August.

You can help avoid summer injuries by providing constant

supervision, enforcing safety rules, and using proper

equipment.

R I D I N G T O Y S

Helmet use is the number one way to avoid head injuries

associated with riding toys. Safe Kids USA tells us that a bike

helmet that fits snugly and is used properly can reduce the

risk of bike-related brain injury by 88 percent and fatal

injuries by 75 percent.

Helmets that fit properly are pulled level to the forehead

and strapped low on the chin to allow the child’s mouth to

open comfortably.

Supervision is also important. Studies show that children

under the age of 10 are not capable of making quick

decisions regarding their safety and should be monitored

while riding anything that moves faster than they can walk.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) should be completely avoided.

The chance of rollover is too great, and nothing can protect a

small child from its crushing weight. Even when riding with

an adult, children can still be ejected and seriously injured.

C A R S + C A R S E A T S

A quick trip to the neighborhood pool without restraint may

seem harmless, but if you have to slam on the brakes, a child

could be ejected and sustain a serious head or neck injury.

Heat exhaustion from being left in a car or allowed to play in

one can be a problem, too, as children can suffer brain

damage or die. Even in cool weather, children should not be

left alone in the car or allowed to play in one. They can find

a host of trouble — from choking hazards on the floor to seat

belts that can strangle. They can also get out of the car and

walk into traffic.

T R A M P O L I N E S

Safe Kids does not recommend having trampolines at home,

and suggests they be used only as part of a supervised athletic

training program.

While most trampoline injuries are muscle or bone related,

head and neck injuries are also seen. More than half of

trampoline injuries involve colliding with another jumper.

F I R E , G R I L L I N G , F O O D A N D F I R E W O R K S

Opportunities for burns are everywhere, with fire pits,

campfires, fireworks and grills. In our haste to put a meal on

the table, we can turn too quickly with a pot of boiling water

and possibly inflict a third-degree burn on a child.

To avoid accidents, put someone in charge of the kids while

adults are cooking, and provide constant supervision around

fires or fireworks.

O U T S I D E A C T I V I T I E S

Children heat up quickly while playing outside. Make sure

they drink water every 20 minutes for hydration.

Small children are particularly vulnerable to injuries

associated with playing in the yard. Teach children not to

swing ball bats, sticks, tennis racquets, golf clubs, etc. near

their friends to avoid injuries.

S A F E K I D S C O R N E R Tips for an Injury Free Summero


A NATURAL WAY TO KILL POISON IVY

To kill the actual root of poison ivy (or any

plant), pour a large pot of boiling water on

the root source, not just the running vine.

You may have to do this two or three times

over the course of a couple of days to

ensure the root is dead. Use protective

clothing when pulling up the dead root and

vine, as the poison remains active.

HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT POISONIVY, OAK AND SUMAC

Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are a fact of North

Carolina life.

Every part of these plants—the root, stem, vines and leaves—carry

an extremely sticky resin called urushiol, which is as sticky as tar

and very difficult to remove from your body and your clothes.

Moreover, it causes a highly irritating rash and itching that can last

for days and weeks.

Here are some ways to avoid the plant as well as steps you can take

to make yourself more comfortable should you become infected.

P R E V E N T I O N

> Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when in locations where

you might find these plants.

> Apply Ivy Block lotion before exposure to plants to reduce the

risk of a rash.

> Learn to recognize the plants and avoid them. Teach your

children the rhyme, “Leaves of three, leave them be.”> Be aware of resins carried by pets. It can get on their fur and

transfer to people

I F E X P O S E D

> Wash off with soap and warm water as soon as exposure is

suspected, preferably within 30 minutes. Two products, Tecnu

and Zanfel, can help remove much of the resins that cause

itching. They are available at camping stores and some

pharmacies.

> Scrub under fingernails with a brush.

> Bathe animals to remove oils from fur.

> Use calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream to reduce itching

and blistering. Bathe in lukewarm water with an oatmeal bath

product, such as Aveeno colloidal oatmeal (available in

drugstores). Aluminum acetate (Domeboro solution) soaks can

also help dry the rash and reduce itching.

> If itching persists, try antihistamines.

C A L L Y O U R D O C T O R I F …

> itching is severe.

> the rash affects any part of the face or genitals.

> you see signs of infection, such as pus, odor or increased

tenderness.

C A L L 9 1 1 O R G O T O A N E M E R G E N C Y

D E P A R T M E N T I F …

> an allergic reaction occurs, such as swelling, breathing

difficulties, or if there’s been an allergic reaction in the past.

> someone has been exposed to smoke from a burning

poisonous plant.

{For more information about Poison Ivy, visit

www.wakemed.org. Click on Good Health,

then Caring for your Condition, and select

the Allergy option.


A T R I P T O T H E H O S P I T A Lu

Hi, my name is Wyatt, and today I’m having my tonsils taken out

at WakeMed. Tonsils grow in the back of your throat, and

sometimes they grow too big. z My doctor said I sound like

Darth Vader when I breathe. Even though it’s cool to me, the

doctor said it’s not cool to have big tonsils. I’ve been getting

sick a lot, too. The doctor said that taking them out will make me better. I’m a

little scared, but this nice lady met me in the front lobby with a funny dog

puppet named Wrinkles. Maybe this won’t be so bad…. w I changed into

hospital clothes, and the lady with the puppet showed me how I could draw on

the bed sheets with markers. Whoo hoo! Her name was Jennifer Kreimer and

she is called a child life specialist, and she’s really helping me not to be so

scared.V She told me all about my surgery and helped me decorate my

medicine mask with stickers. She said that when I put it over my mouth, I would

breathe some good smelling stuff that will make me sleep and not feel anything

while the doctor is taking my tonsils out. Y

My sister and I played in the

special play area that had all kinds of fun toys and a big castle painted on the

wall until it was my turn for surgery. Then, one last hug for mom, and it’s time

to go. I am such a brave boy. Y The lady with the puppet was right! I don’t

remember anything from my surgery, but I woke up with mom and sis next to

me. My throat was pretty sore, but a yummy green Popsicle made it feel better.

Sis got one, too. R Soon it was time to go home. I got to ride in a wheelchair

all the way to the car! Having my tonsils taken out wasn’t so bad after all.

TÄN(T) -S I - ’LEK-TOE-ME : the surgical removal of the tonsils

–

Shown left to right:

Jennifer Kreimer with

Elayne and Wyatt Courts.

Q & AW H A T A R E T O N S I L S A N D W H Y M U S T T H E Y B E

R E M O V E D S O M E T I M E S ?

Tonsils help us by trapping and destroying viruses and bacteria. But

they can be a problem if they grow too big. They can cause heavy

breathing or snoring. If you are prone to infections, they can cause

ear infections and sore throats. Taking them out can help make things

better.

W H E R E A R E M Y T O N S I L S ?

A lot of people think the thing hanging down in the back of your

throat is your tonsils—but it’s not. That’s your uvula (pronounced U

view la). Your tonsils grow along the sides of your throat. When

removed, they look a little like big wads of bubble gum.

I F M Y T O N S I L S T R A P A N D D E S T R O Y V I R U S E S ,

W H A T W I L L H A P P E N I F T H E Y A R E T A K E N O U T ?

Nothing. Your body has other ways of fighting infections, and if your

tonsils are making you sick, taking them out will keep you well more

often.

H O W W I L L T H E D O C T O R G E T T H E M O U T ?

The doctor is an expert at taking out tonsils. Once you are asleep, the

doctor will open your mouth and gently remove the tonsils with a

special tonsil-removing tool. And there’s hardly any bleeding.

D O E S I T H U R T ?

The surgery doesn't hurt because you will be asleep. But after waking

up, your throat might hurt — kind of like a bad sore throat. The nurse

is there with medicine and Popsicles, though, to make it feel better.

A mommy or daddy close by usually makes things better, too.

I F Y O U H A V E Y O U R T O N S I L S O U T, W I L L Y O U B E

A B L E T O T A L K ?

Of course! The tonsils are located way above the vocal chords, so

there’s nothing to worry about… although you might not feel like

talking much right after surgery, with that sore throat and all.

W H A T I F T H E D O C T O R M I S S E S A N D T A K E S O U T

S O M E T H I N G E L S E , L I K E M Y T O N G U E O R B R A I N ?

There’s no need to worry. The doctor takes out tonsils all the time.

Doctors are experts at knowing exactly what to do and won’t remove

anything that’s supposed to stay.


TÄN(T) -S IL

1 : either of a pair of prominent masses of lymphoid tissue that lie one on each side of the throat between two folds of soft

tissue that bound the fauces; 2 : any of various masses of lymphoid tissue (as the adenoids) that are similar to tonsilston

·sil


Summer is a fun time to play, so follow safety rules every day!

> Look both ways before crossing the street

> Wear your helmet when riding anything that moves faster than you can walk

> Don’t play in a hot car

> Swim with a buddy

> Dive only in designated diving areas

K I D SF I R S T

Can youcolorTwinkle?


nurse

meet tiffany young, RN, BSN

d e p a r t m e n t

Children’s Emergency Department

t i t l e

Clinical Educator/Supervisor

y e a r s i n n u r s i n g

8 years

e d u c a t i o n

Bachelor of science in nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill

w h y I c h o s e n u r s i n g

From a young age, I had an interest in math andscience and also a deep desire to help others.

f a v o r i t e p a r t o f m y w o r k d a y

Knowing I have impacted the life of another –knowing that I am truly making a difference

in the lives of other people!

m y m o s t a m a z i n g e x p e r i e n c e a s a n u r s e

I had the opportunity to work in Zimbabwe, Africa for two years as a nurse,

helping people infected with HIV/AIDS.

m y a d v i c e f o r k i d s t h i n k i n g

a b o u t a n u r s i n g c a r e e r

Go for it!

so m eda y I ’ d l i keto

be

a…

som

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ay

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to

b e a… so me d ay I ’ d l i keto

be

a…

W O R D S E A R C H Have fun while you look for these words relating to summer.

barbecue

baseball

bike

birdwatch

boating

canoe

climb

dive

fish

frisbee

garden

hike

hopscotch

jumprope

picnic

rollerblade

rollerskate

seesaw

skateboard

slide

snorkel

surf

swim

swing

vacation

volleyball

wade

waterski

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F E A T U R E

WAKEMED CHILDREN’S ED

CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF CARE

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,

One fell off and bumped his head;

Mama called the doctor and the doctor

said,

Rush your little monkey tothe ED at WakeMed!

W hether your little monkey fell off the bed, stuck a bean up his nose, caught the

virus that’s “been going around,” or worse, the WakeMed Children’s

Emergency Department is there to care for your little one. And that’s what it

has been doing for the past 10 years since it opened its doors in June 1997.

The Children’s Emergency Department (ED) was the state’s first freestanding ED dedicated to children

and is the only one in Wake County. It currently sees more than 42,000 patients each year ranging in

ages from birth to 18. And with that many patients, the ED staff, comprised of doctors, nurses and

technicians trained in both emergency medicine and pediatrics, treats a little bit of everything.

“Our doctors and nurses can get pretty creative when they need to,” adds Laurie Cook, manager of the

Children’s ED. “Like the time a toddler came in with a tub drain hanging from her fingers. The

curious child explained that she was ‘chasing the water’ down the drain with her fingers and got them

stuck. The EMTs physically sawed the drain out of the tub, but couldn’t get the child’s fingers out of

the drain. They brought her here with the drain hanging on her little fingers, and we tried everything

from lubricants to surgical tools. Then we ‘borrowed’ the hospital’s maintenance tools to saw that drain

off her swollen fingers. It worked and she was fine.”

The ED was designed with children in mind. It is cheerful and comforting with bright murals,

children’s art and child-size furnishings, and has child-sized instruments and equipment. The

private treatment rooms, and the breathing treatment room for asthma patients, include a television

and videos.

While no parent wants to see their child sick or hurt, the Children’s ED is the place to come in an

emergency. Join us as we celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Children’s ED. See page 14 for details.


While the Children’s ED is there for

emergency care, the WakeMed

Children’s Center has other services

just for children. So let’s learn more

below about the Children’s Center.

P E D I A T R I C U N I T

WakeMed has the only inpatient unit in Wake County

dedicated solely to pediatrics. The 25-bed unit features a

sunny playroom with a life-sized castle mural, salt-water

aquarium, and an outdoor roof-top play area. For teens,

there’s a teen lounge with PlayStations, Gameboys and

DVDs. Each cheerfully decorated hospital room is private

and equipped with a VCR, comfortable sleeping recliner,

and small refrigerator.

“We offer an atmosphere that’s comforting and cheerful with

bright murals, children’s wall art, and child-sized

furnishings and equipment,” explains Wanda Bowman,

manager of the Pediatric Unit. “Even the X-ray machines are

sized for children — and when the room grows dark, a huge

glow-in-the-dark aquatic or solar system mural appears,

helping to refocus a child’s mind on something other than

the fact that he is in the hospital. We even offer 3-D glasses.”

P E D I A T R I C M E D I C A L S T A F F

Children are not just small adults when it comes to healthcare.

That’s why all pediatric medical staff must attend additional

pediatric training before working with the children. They also

participate in ongoing training at least once a year.

WakeMed also has pediatric intensivists and hospitalists, who

are specialists in the care of hospitalized patients.

C H I L D L I F E S P E C I A L I S T S

WakeMed is the only hospital in the Raleigh area to offer

child life specialists. Located in the Children’s ED, Peds

Unit and Surgical Services, they help children manage their

fears and anxieties, and educate them about what will

happen. They help children use coping strategies, such as

breathing, guided imagery and an I Spy book for cognitive

distraction during painful or “scary” moments. Child Life

Specialists also act as advocates for the child and family.

Jennifer Kreimer, child life specialist who’s worked with

children for more than 14 years, explains, “Depending on

the child’s age, we use a medical doll or stuffed animal, along

with real and pretend medical equipment and photos, to

explain and/or role play the child’s upcoming procedure.

Involving children in role play allows them to understand

what will happen, express their fears, and rehearse coping

strategies. This helps alleviate some of the ‘fear of the

unknown’ and gives children a sense of control.”

P E D I A T R I C S U R G I C A L S E R V I C E S

WakeMed has several dedicated pediatric surgeons and

anesthesiologists who specialize in a variety of sub-specialty

areas. They work with more than 4,000 patients and their

families each year. We have a separate pediatric pre-op area

and child-friendly operating rooms, such as the Winnie the

Pooh room. You can also come in for a pre-op tour.

P E D I A T R I C I N T E N S I V E C A R E U N I T ( P I C U )

The PICU offers specialized care for critically ill children

from birth through age 18. Our full-time pediatric

intensivists—physicians who specialize in the care of critically

ill children—are also faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill, and our

nurses are highly trained in pediatric critical care.

I N T E N S I V E C A R E N U R S E R Y

WakeMed offers extraordinary care for critically ill

newborns. Our Level IV Intensive Care Nursery is the most

technologically advanced in Wake County and serves as a

regional referral center. Our Mother’s Milk Bank is one of

only nine human milk donation programs in the country

and the only one in the Southeast.

P E D I A T R I C A S T H M A P R O G R A M

The Peds Asthma Program is offered free to children ages 3

through 17 and their families. It focuses on improving

asthma management through comprehensive education.

P E D I A T R I C D I A B E T E S P R O G R A M

Offered to children through age 18, our Pediatric Diabetes

Program provides support and education that integrates the

family, medical provider, school and diabetes programs to

optimize management of diabetes. Programs focus on

managing type 1 diabetes and preventing type 2 diabetes.


Few parents are ever prepared to hear that their

child may be a bully. After all, kids rarely come

home and talk about being mean to another

child. The news usually comes from a school

counselor or the parent of the victim.

The first reaction of most parents, says WakeMed Clinical

Psychologist Melissa Johnson, PhD, is “Not my child!”

Dr. Johnson advises parents to not become defensive, and

instead, learn more about the situation. “Bullying is

rather complex, and each situation is different,” she says.

“There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to bullying, but

listening and gathering facts yields insight into the

problem’s source and often a path to rectify it.”

Bullying is not a new phenomenon, but it is growing.

According to a 2004 KidsHealth Kids Poll, 86 percent of

more than 1,200 9- to 13-year-old children polled said

they've seen someone else being bullied; 48 percent said

they've been bullied, and 42 percent admitted to bullying

other kids occasionally. The Internet has created a whole

new world of opportunities for kids to bully each other.

The tendency to bully can stem from many things. Often

it’s either unusually low self-esteem – where the child feels

a need to pick on someone to feel more powerful – or

excessive preoccupation with personal needs, sometimes at

the expense of others.

“If your child is physically hurting another child, address

the situation directly and set limits,” says Dr. Johnson. In

all other cases, parents can use the following guidelines:

> Be sensitive to your child’s feelings, but stress that the

behavior is unacceptable.

> Encourage your child to develop his/her own way to

rectify the situation or repair the damage. Enlist a

counselor, if necessary.

> Help your child express anger in healthy ways, such as

writing, exercising, coloring/drawing or talking with a

trusted adult. Encourage him/her to come to you when

feeling emotionally conflicted.

> Nurture your child's sense of self-worth, but emphasize

that others have self worth, too.

> Model the values you wish to teach. A child who

experiences excessive anger at home often emulates it

elsewhere.

> Provide healthy, non-violent entertainment.

> Expose your child to opportunities to work as a team

and appreciate the value each person’s contribution.

“As parents, we must help children learn to deal with a

wide variety of people and situations,” says Dr. Johnson.

“Handling bullying in a sensitive, positive way can help all

involved to grow into well-adjusted adults.”

taming a bullyN AV I G AT I N G T H E P U S H A N D P U L L O F A D O L E S C E N T S O C I A L R E L AT I O N S H I P S


ADVISORY PANEL

Jerry Bernstein, M.D., Raleigh Pediatric Associates, PA

Janice Frohman, R.N., Administrative Director, WakeMed Emergency Services

Melissa Johnson, Ph.D., Pediatric Psychologist, WakeMed Faculty Physicians, Pediatrics/Neonatology

Kathleen Privette, R.N., Vice President - Operations and Chief Nursing Officer - Cary Hospital

Courtney Mann, M.D., Medical Director, WakeMed Children’s Emergency Department

Debra Z. Laughery, Vice President of Public Relations

Michele Jonczak, Editor

Leesa Brinkley, Design

Published by the WakeMed Public Relations Department. Call 350-8120 with comments or suggestions.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals3000 New Bern Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27610

© WakeMed, 2007 Children’s Center

Sending your children to summer camp can offer much more than

kayaking and archery lessons. It’s an opportunity to explore the complex

world of self responsibility, make new friends, and develop new social

skills. Most importantly, it’s a chance for parents and kids to practice

letting go.

I N V O LV E K I D S I N D E C I S I O N S

Prepare early by involving your child in selecting the camp. Talk about their

interests, research various camps together and visit them if possible. If you feel

your child is mature enough, allow him/her to make the final decision.

Involve your child in packing for camp. If they need to bring a week’s

worth of sweatshirts, shorts, socks, let them choose – keeping climate,

practicality and function in mind. If you need to buy new flashlights or a

backpack, let your child help pick them.

“When children are involved early on, they tend to have less anxiety the

day they leave for camp,” says Dr. John Rusher, a pediatrician with

Raleigh Pediatric Associates and a camp physician at Camp Sea Gull. A

little anxiety is normal—as is homesickness, Dr. Rusher explains. “Talk with

your children beforehand about what to expect. They may be afraid to share

bathroom facilities, or sleep in a bunkhouse with 15 other little boys or girls

they’ve never met. They may be afraid they will not make friends at camp.

Help them develop a plan to overcome that anxiety.”

W R I T E L E T T E R S – O F T E N

Have a letter or care package waiting at camp when they arrive. When you write,

make sure to ask specific questions—so you’ll get specific responses. And it’s a good

idea to include self-addressed, stamped envelopes so you’ll get a letter in return.

Also, leave little notes, comics or cards in the pockets of their packed clothes.

I F T H E Y G E T H O M E S I C K

… don’t panic. And don’t make light of the situation. Share positive feedback

about their ability to adapt. Use examples of previous situations they’ve worked

through in the past. Encourage them to talk to camp counselors about how they

are feeling.

If your child remains homesick, make sure camp personnel are aware of it, and

solicit feedback from them. If your child can’t sleep or isn’t eating due to

homesickness, by all means, let him/her come home.

Visit www.acacamps.org for additional tips on how to prepare your summer

camper.

happycamper!P R E PA R E K I D S F O R

O V E R N I G H T C A M P

Our bodies are made up of mostly water. When

you exercise and sweat, your body loses water

and potassium, among other things, causing

dehydration.

Dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion,

constipation and muscle weakness and cramps.

Here are some ways to get your child to drink

plenty of water throughout the day:

> Keep small Dixie-type cups next to their

toothbrushes. Get them in the habit of

drinking a cupful after brushing every morning.

> Offer water during swimming pool breaks, or

at least every 20 minutes.

> Serve water with snacks, instead of sugary

juice drinks or sodas.

> Try flavoring water with thin slices of citrus

fruits or green apples. Try wafer-thin cucumber

slices for a very refreshing change of pace!

Foods high in potassium include:

> Fresh fruits: bananas, strawberries,

watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges

> Dried fruits: raisins, prunes, apricots, dates

> Fresh veggies: beets, greens, spinach, peas,

tomatoes, mushrooms, lima beans

> Dried veggies: beans, peas

> Fresh meats: turkey, fish, beef

> Fresh juices: orange

> Canned juices: grapefruit, prune, apricot

K E E P I NG YO U R K I D S H Y D R AT E D


T Y K EB I T E SZ

H E A L T H YB I T Su

Y O U ’ L L N E E D

> Blender

> Fresh or frozen fruit – assortment of colors

> About a cup of 100% fruit juice (apple, white

grape, fresh lemonade sweetened with honey or

maple syrup). Juice should be relatively clear.

> Plastic popsicle molds and food-grade popsicle

sticks, if not provided

T O M A K E

> Pour about 1/2 cup juice into blender.

> Yellow: Add a few pieces of yellow fruit, such as

pineapple, peaches, mango, apple, pear, white

grapes, lemon. Blend until smooth and pour into

two or three popsicle molds, leaving some yellow in

the blender.

> Orange: Add to the yellow a few slices of orange

fruit – mango, oranges, tangerines, papaya, and

depending on the orange color you want, just a bit

of red fruit, such as strawberries, cherries,

cranberries, red grapes, pomegranate juice. Blend

(adding a bit more juice, if necessary) and pour,

leaving some of the orange in the blender.

> Pinks/reds: Add more red fruits from above for a

richer color. Blend (adding a bit more juice, if

necessary) and pour.

> Purple: Add more reds (if needed) and some

blueberries. Blend and pour.

> Enjoy when frozen.

Q U I C K + H E A LT H Y P O P S I C L E S

Make these fresh fruit popsicles in 15 minutes. They offer all the benefits of

eating fresh fruit: you get the natural vitamins and minerals as well as

important enzymes for healthy cell development and digestion.

Notes: Experiment to get the colors and tastes your child likes. The more times

you make them, you’ll begin to see how the colors tend to differ depending

on which fruits you use; of course, that is the fun part… especially for kids.

You can even make an art project out of this exercise to teach how to blend

primary colors to make the secondary colors (red + yellow = orange; red +

blue = purple; blue + yellow = green).

Green popsicles need to be made separately; you

cannot pour other colors (except yellow) into

green or you’ll get muddy colors. Consider using

a base of fresh apple juice and/or fresh lemonade

and pineapple pieces; add about 2 Tablespoons of

fresh cilantro (not dried) and some lime juice. For

a darker color you can try a bit of frozen fresh

spinach. You cannot taste the spinach – honest!

If you use kiwi fruit, the little black seeds will

make an ugly green (but it tastes great).

L E T ’ S A S K T H ED O C T O R A

D O Y O U H A V E A Q U E S T I O N F O R T H E D O C ?

Kids, we would love to hear from you so we can answer your questions. Please submit

questions to [email protected] or 3000 New Bern Ave. ATTN: Public Relations Raleigh, NC

27610. Please include your name, hometown and age.

R EVI E W S

Danger Rangers Poison Patrol features two

new items: a coloring + activity book, and story

book (above). Produced in association with Safe

Kids Worldwide, these books can help you teach

your children what to do and what not to do

when exposed to poisons, medicines, toxins and

the fumes from mixing these products. It’s a fun,

memorable activity kids can understand and

relate to. Available at the Lowes Supermarkets.

www.dangerRangers.com

A grandfatherly looking gentleman approaches your

child in a crowded arcade and says, “Hi! Aren’t you in

Jake’s class at school? What’s your name?” Would your

child know how to swiftly and safely handle this

situation? He would after watching the Stranger

Safety DVD, created by Julie Clark (of Baby Einstein

fame) and John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted.

This Emmy Award-winning video features the laugh-

out-loud antics of Safe Side Super Chick, as she empowers kids to avoid

dangerous situations with people they “don’t know” and those they “kinda

know.” Optional viewing in Spanish and closed caption. www.thesafeside.com


P A R E N TP I C K S p

Does the sun makemy hair grow?Hairs on the head grow up to 3

millimeters (1/8 inch) each week. But

this varies. Hairs grow faster in warm,

sunny weather than in cold, dull

weather. They grow faster on young

people than on older people. And

thicker hairs generally grow faster than

thinner or lighter hairs.

Why do I sweat?If your body gets too hot, drops of

sweat ooze from tiny parts in the skin

called sweat glands onto the surface of

the skin. As the drops dry, they take

heat from the body and cool it down.

That’s why it’s important to keep your

body filled up with water, especially on

a hot day or when you are running,

playing or swimming. Your body needs

plenty of water to not only keep itself

cool, but to keep your body working

properly, too. Drink up!

Why do I have toscratch an itch?Even the cleanest air has bits of floating

dust and dirt that land on you.

Sometimes, too, a small pest such as a

mosquito or flea might try to bite you.

Your skin can feel all these tiny

touches. Just in case it is in danger, you

can scratch your skin so that the bug

will not hurt you.

Source: “Ask Me Why: The Human Body”; The Southwestern Company - Nashville, TN, www.southwestern.com

Families First is a quarterly newsletter

for parents and kids (under age 10)

who belong to the WakeMed Families

First Club. If you haven’t

already joined, call 350-STAR.

If your family has outgrown the

information provided by this newsletter

or you no longer wish to receive it,

please call us at 350-STAR.

Non-profitOrganizationU.S. PostageP A I DRaleigh, NCPermit NO. 1307

A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e Wa k e M e d C h i l d r e n’s CenterWa keMed 3000 New Bern Avenue Ra le i gh NC 27 610

A D D R E S S S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

W E E K E N D S Horse + Carriage RidesDowntown Raleigh

Fridays 6–10 pm; Saturdays, noon to

10 pm; Sundays, noon to 8 pm. Fares

range from $5 to $25 per person.

Call J&L Carriage at 915-0378.

T H I R D T H U R S D AY SKids Club Sponsored by WakeMedCary HospitalCary Towne Center, Cary

10:30 am. Free.

May 17, Safari Sam

June 21, Gabardine Sisters

July 19, Magic In Motion

Enjoy monthly activities, giveaways

and store discounts. Sign up at the

Customer Service Center located in

Center Court.

M AY 1 2Exploring the Arts of JapanNorth Carolina Museum of Arts,Raleigh

11 am and 1 pm

$3 (Free for Family-level members

and above).

Experience the grace, strength and

humor of Japanese theatre, dance,

music and culture. Sponsored by

WakeMed. For more information,

go to www.ncartmuseum.org.

J U LY 4Capitol’s Independence DayCelebrationN.C. Capitol Grounds Downtown Raleigh

11 a.m.–3 p.m. Free.

Enjoy a family-oriented

Independence Day celebration with a

patriotic concert and picnic. Wander

over to the Capitol’s “Old Fashioned

4th” area and see how people in

North Carolina celebrated the 4th

back in the “olden days.” Musical

performances, food and historic

demonstrations round out this

patriotic day of fun.

S E P T E M B E R 9Dish it Up RaleighTriangle Town Center, Raleigh

Noon–6 pm.

Enjoy live music from Sleeping

Booty and Soul Kitchen, a free

family festival, and $5 plates from

some of the area’s premier restaurants.

Proceeds to benefit the WakeMed

Children’s Center. For information,

go to www.wakemed.org.

C A L E N D A RO F E V E N T SA

07S U M M E R

CELEBRATE THE CHILDREN’S ED 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

J U N E 7

School’s Out for Summer!Koka Booth Amphitheater at Regency Park, Cary

5 – 10 pm

Fun activities, entertainment, crafts, food and an appearance by Twinkle, WakeMed Children’s Center mascot plus other local area mascots. At dusk we will show the movie Happy Feet. Kids 12 and under are free; Adults $3. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the WakeMed Children’s Center.

a publication of the wakemed children’s center summer 07 · a publication of the wakemed...

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