Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention

Because April is dedicated to preventing and raising awareness for child abuse, this blog post will touch on a few different recommendations from the US Department of Health and Human Services for making “meaningful connections with children and families.”

One issue they addressed was called “Dealing with Temper Tantrums.” Dealing with tantrums can be hard and uncomfortable, but thanks to the tips sheet we can get a better handle on what to do when those meltdowns start. The ideal solution is to prevent meltdowns entirely, but we don’t live in a perfect world, so let’s take a look at what to do when those inevitable tantrums start.

• •        Say what you expect from your child and have confidence that your child will behave.
• •        Remain calm. You are a role model for your child.
• •        Holding your child during a tantrum may help a younger child feel more secure and calm down more quickly.
• •        Take your child to a quiet place where he or she can calm down safely. Speak softly or play soft music.
• •        Some children throw tantrums to seek attention. Try ignoring the tantrum, but pay attention to your child after he or she calms down.
• •        Resist overreacting to tantrums, and try to keep your sense of humor.

For more information and tips on parenting and prevention child abuse checks out this website:

https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/guide2014/tipsheets_en.pdf#page=9

Fight the Bite!

It's summer time! The sun is out, days are longer, nights are warmer and mosquito's are flying.

Utah County's Mosquito Abatement is working hard to control the mosquito populations

but there are things we can do to protect ourselves and our kids.

1. Remember that mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus are most often out at dawn and dusk. 

2. Use bug spray for you and your kids when you are outside in the early mornings and evenings, even in your own backyard!

3. Clean up items at home that may provide perfect nesting areas for mosquito's. 

4. If you notice a high amount of mosquito's contact the Utah County Mosquito Abatement through their online request form to have them come and check it out.

For more information go to the Utah County Mosquito Abatement website!

 I want you to take a minute and think back to your childhood. What did you do in your spare time? 

 Now think of your kids, nieces and nephews, how do they spend their time? I would guess that our kids spend way more time inside than we ever did. You may, in the recent past, have even caught yourself using technology as a barging chip to get things done around the house when our parents used playing outside as theirs.

Do you have to tell your kids to turn off the TV, iPad, computer or video games and convince them to go outside and play?  Isn't it sad how times have changed?

When I was a child I remember my mother having to call us from all over the neighborhood.  I loved to play and be outside it didn't matter the weather. Many of my earliest memories involved me playing outside with my sisters and cousins. I LOVED puddle jumping and dancing in the rain in the Spring, building snowmen and forts in the Winter, climbing trees, riding bikes, swimming and making "mud pies" in the Summer and in the Fall raking huge piles of leaves and jumping in. I enjoyed exploring and seeing new things. I loved picking up Samara Seeds or "twirly birds" and throwing them in the air, watching them fly back to earth. While staying up late with my granddad watching meteor showers was a special treat.

 I loved to play and while I played I exercised without even knowing what I was doing.  As I think back to my childhood and then look at kids today it kind of reminds me of the Disney movie Wall-E. We need to "unplug", get moving and just go outside! This is true for us as adults as well as our children. So, how can we make exercise fun? Use your imagination! Let yourself revert back to your childhood, go outside, enjoy the beautiful weather and have fun.

       Fun Outdoor Ideas:


       1. Homemade Bubbles
       2. Outdoor Games:
        Hopscotch, Hide-n-Seek
             Kick the Can, etc. 
       4. Family Bike Rides
       6. Family Water Fight
       7. Picnic on the Lawn
       8. Family "Track and Field" Day
       9. Plant a family Garden
     10. Run through the Sprinklers
     11. Play Soccer, Baseball,
                 or Volleyball
     12. Go Swimming                                                                       

Child Sized Health and Safety Expo

Do you want something fun to do during spring break? 

Bring your kids to the 

"Child Sized Health and Safety Fair"

 at the Utah County Health Department.

Children's Dental Health Month

February is a very special month. What is so special you ask? 

We find out if the Groundhog will see his shadow 

We celebrate not one but TWO President's Birthdays!

      Happy Birthday Lincoln and Washington!

We show our LOVE on Valentine's Day!

AND

We Celebrate

Children's Dental Health Month!!!!

Did you know that the Utah County Health Department offers FREE fluoride prescriptions and toothbrush kits for children 15 yrs and younger? It's true, just come to 

151 S University Ave, Suite 1610.

Poison Alert

Have you seen the detergent pods that are out on the market now? At first sight they seem like a fabulous and easy alternative to traditional laundry and dish washing detergents. They are easy, no mess, individually packed, perfectly sized packets of cleanliness. No more over "soaping" the dishwasher or washing machine. Dishes and clothes alike come out clean without much hassle. The problem comes in that these packets are on the rise in accidental poisonings in children. 

The pods are colorful and squishy and very inviting for little fingers. Poison control centers around the country have found that the inviting packages are being mistaken for candy. They are also easy to puncture which adds to the possibility of them being ingested or even to have the detergent shoot into a child's eyes causing other potential problems. 

If you use these detergent pods please remember to have them locked away in a secure place. Put them up high and out of reach for those little hands you love so well. Convenience is welcome but safety of our little ones is much more important. 

Flu Shots Now Available!

Utah County Health Department now has Flu Shots available at all of our locations!

Type of Flu Shots 

Traveling Clinics