Health & Fitness
Winter is coming
One step outside and it is clear. Winter is on the way? Are you ready?
Winter is
Coming
Hurricane Sandy may be history, and on the whole, we in New England fared much better than our neighbors to the south. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t more storms ahead. Last winter was uncommonly mild, and while I didn’t hear anyone complaining that there wasn’t enough snow to clear from their driveways, it wasn’t the best winter on record for outdoor sports like skiing and ice skating.
If this winter is like most, we’ll have our share of snow, and perhaps a storm or two. After all of the press leading up to the arrival of Sandy, most of us likely know about how to prepare for days without power, with stores of food and water, flashlights, extra batteries, and maybe even a generator. But winter brings with it not only potentially bad weather, but also an assortment of nasty bugs and viruses.
Hand washing and sanitizing is important for keeping kids healthy and eliminating those germs that inevitably make their way home from school. Sending along an antibacterial wipe in each kid’s lunch box or a small bottle of sanitizer in his or her backpack is a good way to keep germs away from food – provided that the kids remember to use the wipes!
Not everyone opts to have their children vaccinated annually against the current year’s strain of flu, but it is something to think about. Most pediatricians’ offices offer free clinics to their patients, so getting a shot (or the nasal mist for older kids) isn’t particularly difficult. This year, I haven’t heard any rumbling about vaccine shortages, so you should have no problem tracking down the inoculation for your kids if you want to do so. Flu can keep kids out of school for days, so
prevention means better school attendance. Kids out of school can also cause issues if you are a working parent. Many babysitting referral services will only send sitters if the child is not contagious.
Equally important to think about is your own health. I know from experience that moms and dads can’t call in sick to their parenting jobs when they’re feeling under the weather, and it’s no fun to be running a family while battling your own illness. Flu shots for adults are available at practically every drug store and grocery store pharmacy around. Some workplaces also offer the vaccine to employees, and you can always call your own primary care physician to see whether the office is running any flu shot clinics.
As we head into the winter months, bundling ourselves and our kids in layers against the cold, I wish everyone the best of luck for keeping safe, healthy, and warm throughout the season!
