Family F.Y.I

The Festival of Lights

This year the first night of Hanukkah falls on December 18, ending on December 26, at sunset.

The holiday always begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but never falls on the same day each year on the Gregorian calendar. Hanukkah, the Hebrew word for “dedication,” is also known as the Festival of Lights or Feast of the Maccabees.

Kitchen Safety

The kitchen can be one of the most joyful rooms in the home. It is the place for family dinners, birthday celebrations and after school snacks. Unfortunately, the kitchen is also one of the most dangerous rooms of the home due to the occurrence of unintentional injuries. Burns from the stove, scalds, cuts from sharp knives and the accidental ingestion of cleaning supplies are all injuries to be aware of while in the kitchen. With the presence of kids in the home, it is important to be educated on kitchen safety. Thankfully, 90% of injuries can be prevented. Here are some ways to keep kids safe in the kitchen:

Supervision: The best way to prevent kids from being injured in the kitchen is to supervise them, or not let them into the kitchen at all. Make sure you set clear rules like, 1) Do not enter the kitchen without an adult, 2) No touching the stove or oven 3) No touching the knives and 4) Always wash your hands. If your kids would like to help out in the kitchen, some safe tasks they can assist the cook with include: setting the table, rinsing produce, stirring ingredients and shucking corn.

Burn Prevention: When cooking, it’s important to use the burners towards the back of the stove first. Back burners are the safest because they are out of reach of young children. When using pots and pans, be sure to turn the handles inwards to make sure little ones cannot reach and pull the pots or pans off the stove and burn themselves. Never let you kids play with pots and pans for fun, because they may confuse them as toys when they’re hot on the stove. Stove top guards can be used to help prevent kids from touching hot objects.

Poison Prevention: Accidental ingestion is another cause for injury within the kitchen. Most families keep cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink. Cleaning supplies, such as Tide Pods or Clorox, smell good and can come in attractive colors, appearing to be juice or candy that kids want to eat. Be sure to use a childresistant lock to prevent your child from accessing. If your child has ingested a potentially toxic chemical, always call your local Poison Control Center.

By following these simple steps, you can keep your budding chef safe from injury.

MA Poison Prevention and Control Center can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222.

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Family F.Y.I.

The Greater Boston / New England Private School Guide is Now Available!

Find the Right School for Your Child BOSTONPARENTFrom the publishers of PRIVATE SCHOOLS 2022/2023 GREATER BOSTON • NEW ENGLAND Preschools, Boarding and Private Day Schools The 2022/23 edition of The Annual Private School Guide is fresh off the press and our available on our website. In this guide is great advice on how to choose a private school. Find out when to start your search, criteria to consider, what to look for in a school and a handy timeline for your search so you stay on track with those application deadlines. Available online at www.BostonParentsPaper.com – just click on “Our Magazines” tab.

Winter Respiratory Issues

During the winter months emergency departments often see an increase in children presenting with respiratory disorders. Some of the common respiratory illnesses seen in children are asthma, bronchiolitis, croup and pneumonia. While it can be heartbreaking and frightening for a parent to see their child not feeling well, an infant or young toddler with a respiratory illness can be extra worrisome for parents since children this age can’t tell you what is wrong.

For some children with asthma, the return of cooler weather or catching a cold can make their symptoms more difficult to control. Bronchiolitis is caused by viruses and usually affects infants and toddlers. Bronchiolitis can develop into coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

If your child has a harsh voice, barky cough and noisy breathing he or she may have croup. Croup is also caused by viruses and affects young children. If your child is diagnosed with pneumonia antibiotics will be prescribed if the infection is caused by bacteria.

Your child should see their pediatrician for any concerning respiratory symptoms, but here are some of the reasons to seek care immediately:

• If you can see your child’s ribs or if the chest or stomach is being pulled in while breathing • If there are any abnormal noises, such as grunting, while breathing • If there is a blue or gray color around your child’s lips or on their face or finger nails • If they are drooling more than normal • If they are not able to swallow

A child that has been diagnosed with a respiratory infection may require more fluids than usual to prevent dehydration if they have a fever or are breathing faster than normal. If your child is diagnosed with a bacterial infection, he or she will be prescribed antibiotics. Be sure to give your child their medication as directed, for the prescribed amount of time. Avoid over the counter cough/cold medications as these are not safe for children.

Your child may not be acting like his or her normal self while they are sick, but with a little time and supportive care they will be back on their feet and running around!

For some children with asthma, the return of cooler weather or catching a cold can make their symptoms more difficult to control. Kwanzaa

KWANZAA IS A SEVEN-DAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN APPRECIATION OF AFRICA-AMERICAN HISTORY, HERITAGE AND CULTURE.

The term ‘Kwanzaa’ originates from the Swahili expression “matunda ya kwanza,” which means ‘first fruits of the harvest.” The festival is observed from December 26th to January 1st. Each of these seven days honors principles (Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith) which are thought to have been fundamental in promoting strong, productive communities and families in Africa. Kwanzaa became a celebration of culture, community and family.

Usually, people celebrate this holiday through musical selections, drumming, libations, discussing the African principle of the day, a reflection on Pan- African colors, feasts, candle lighting rituals, and artistic performances.