A newsletter for MIChild parents and guardians from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan 1PG

2 Don’t let Jack Frost nibble

at your child’s nose

3 Protect your child against the cold

3 Duck the flu

Inside this issue

Volume 4 | Issue 2

A newsletter for MIChild parents and guardians from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

HealthM AT T E R S

4 Winter

safety kits

HealthMatters2PG

A note to parents and guardians…Welcome to Health Matters, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s newsletter for parents and guardians of MIChild members.

Winter safety is something you should practice in the months ahead. We’ve focused this issue on how you can help your family stay healthy and safe throughout the winter season.

Your child is getting a newsletter, too. MI-ghty Child is for children ages 3 to 10. It uses colorful art, quick facts and games to help your children learn about healthy lifestyles. Children 11 and older receive Health Hook-up. It is a newsletter about health and lifestyle issues for teens and young adults.

We encourage you to read these newsletters and talk about them with your family. We also encourage you to spread the word about MIChild to others in your community. You could help an uninsured child receive health care. Interested applicants should apply online at michigan.gov/michild or call 888-988-6300. The call is free.

Don’t let Jack Frost nibble at your child’s nose

Hypothermia is a serious condition that can strike during the winter. It can happen when someone stays out in the cold for too long or gets wet in the cold. Warning signs include chills, shivering, confusion and loss of coordination. If these things seem to be happening to you or someone you know, call for help. Then:

Get the person inside•

Have them change into dry clothes•

Cover them up with blankets•

Have them drink warm liquids until help arrives.•

Frostbite is a serious condition that may occur during cold winter months. It can happen when children are outside with their skin exposed to the cold air. You will notice a discoloration of the skin, and the afflicted area will tingle. If tingling lasts longer than a half-hour, call a doctor.

Frostbite first attacks the extremities, so cover up loose fingers, toes, hands, ears and nose. Mittens or gloves, hats, face masks, scarves, earmuffs, warm socks and boots are all ways to strike back.

A newsletter for MIChild parents and guardians from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan 3PG

Duck the fluThe cold and flu are nasty illnesses that can spread through your whole family.

Help protect yourself and your family by following these safety guidelines:

Dress warmly and comfortably.•

Load up on the layers.•

Have everyone in your family who is older than 6 months of age get flu shots.•

Eat properly and get lots of rest to build up immunity against the cold and flu.•

Wash your hands frequently to stop the spread of germs.•

Make sure your child is dressed appropriately before braving the bitter winter air. Hat, gloves, scarf, winter coat insulated with lining, snow pants, thick socks and waterproof boots are all must-haves.

Take heat — you can protect your child against the cold

Check the weather

report and the wind chill

factor before you

let your kids play

outside. You should

monitor how long they

play outside. Have them

come inside from time

to time to warm up,

dry wet clothing and

drink warm fluids.

Have a winter family

fashion show to get

your kids excited about

sporting winter gear for

the cold months ahead.

Dressing in layers also helps to retain heat. Think undershirts or long-sleeve thermals, vests, hoodies, zip-up track jackets, leggings and denim or other thick pants. Although dressing in layers is the way to go, make sure your child is dressed comfortably. You don’t want to bundle your child so tightly that he or she feels restricted. Tight clothes can restrict circulation.

Make a winter

clothes checklist

that your family

members can

use before

heading out

the door.

Fleece is a great material that is both soft and warm. Thermal can lock in heat for a long period of time, so load up. Fleece and thermal — like polyester, thinsulate and down — are some materials you should look for in the lining of your outerwear. Make sure winter coats are lined before purchasing them.

Another thing you should keep an eye out for when shopping for winter goods is waterproof boots. You don’t want your children to be trudging to and from school in soggy socks. Cold, wet feet can lead to sickness.

Follow these tips on what to wear this winter because staying healthy and warm never goes out of style.

Health Matters is published by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, 600 E. Lafayette Blvd., Mail Code 0260,

Detroit, MI 48226

Editor:JacquelynHalas•Designer: Lisa Schmidt

Copyright 2008. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network of Michigan are nonprofit corporations and

independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

How to Contact UsBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

If your child is covered by MIChild, and you have questions about health coverage, claims, ID cards or locating a participating provider:

Call toll-free: 800-543-7765 Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Write: Lansing Service Unit Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan P.O. Box 80380 Lansing, MI 48909-0380

Visit: bcbsm.com to locate a customer service center near you

For your child’s healthCall BlueHealthConnection®, 24 hours a day, toll-free at:

800-775-BLUE (2583) • 800-240-3050 TTY

If you know a child who needs

health care for just $10 per month,

call toll-free:

888-988-6300

If your child has MIChild, please notify MIChild of changes that may affect your child’s health care

coverage, such as a change in your or your child’s name, address, telephone number or the size of your family.

Make winter safety kits for your car and home You might want to include the following items:

Non-perishablefood • Bottledwater•

Blankets • Sweatersorsweatshirts•

Gloves • Hat•

Socks • Gasolinecan•

Candles • Lighter•

First Aid kit•

Add these in your car kit, too:

Jumpercables • Shovel • Towcable•

Cat litter or sand for your tires, in case you get stuck•

Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are important things you should keep in your

home. They are easy to install and can save lives. There are battery-operated and plug-in versions of both. Do not plug a detector into an outlet controlled by a switch. If battery-operated, make sure you change

batteries as needed. Test and clean your detectors each month to make sure they

work properly.

HealthMatters4PG

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