Back to School - Safety for the Kids

Getting your child ready for school involves a never-ending checklist of things to do. The school physical, the immunization requirements, the school supply list, the after-school care arrangements, the emergency numbers list, the new clothes, the bus schedule, the list goes on and on. However, one of the most important parts of your child's back-to-school preparedness checklist should include the routine physical exam, eye exam, ear exam and dental exams. No matter what grade your child is about to enter, preventive care and healthy habits contribute to a more successful school year for your child.
While it may not seem as urgent, a yearly physical exam by your family’s pediatrician is an important part of your child’s health care. The back-to-school season is a convenient time for putting the exam on your family’s schedule. “Back-to-school checkups are often the only visit most kids and teenagers have with their doctor every year,” says Paul Stricker, M.D., FAAP, and author of Sports Success Rx! Your Child’s Prescription for the Best Experience. “The annual physical gives the pediatrician a chance to give the child a thorough physical exam. It’s also a good chance to address important questions, especially with teenagers, including adolescent issues of drinking, smoking, drugs, sexual activity, and depression.”
Children involved in school athletic programs often receive a sports-specific exam through the school. These exams are good at screening for potential athletic health problems. But Stricker points out that the school sports physicals alone tend not to address the child’s overall health. The annual pediatric exam also offers the doctor time to provide wellness guidance and advice. This has become critical as the nation wrestles with the childhood obesity epidemic. “Certainly pediatricians are paying more attention to obesity and related issues,” Stricker says. In addition to monitoring heart and blood pressure and testing for diabetes, pediatricians can use this annual visit with your child to discuss diet and exercise options.
Packing up a few first aid essentials is a great gift for your child if (s)he is off to college, a good kit is a great going back to school gift. It's also a reminder to always stay safe and a lesson in how to take care of problems while away from home. All that in one kit!  First, figure out what it is you need to pack; a good idea would be to start with some basics items, should your child have a cut, scrape or minor burn.
Consider packing: • Adhesive bandages in all sizes • Non-stick gauze - To cover larger wounds • Adhesive tape - To help secure the gauze• Antibiotic ointment – To prevent infections in a wound or minor burn.