Recently we talked about how to help prevent bullying of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), an all too common problem. Just as scary, if not more so, is the fact that children with developmental disabilities are also vulnerable to sexual abuse. Children with developmental disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual abuse as typically developing children. Unfortunately, offenders may choose children who are more vulnerable due to their disability and the social isolation that can go along with being different. Although the statistics can be alarming, there are many things families can do to reduce the risk.

Parents can also lead by example in terms of what they say and teach their children, and their family values. These are things children should learn to help them grow up strong and confident.

Families can reduce a child’s risk of abuse by teaching them some important skills and information. Parents can also lead by example in terms of what they say and teach their children, and their family values. These are things children should learn to help them grow up strong and confident. Below are principles that any parent can benefit from knowing and instilling in their child, much less parents of a child with developmental disabilities.

“My body is mine:”

Set up rules around touching and practice this rule until it becomes an expectation for everyone. Ask first. For example, “I’m so proud of you; can I give you a hug?” “Would you like a kiss goodnight?” Children with developmental disabilities may be uncomfortable or sensitive about particular types of touch and can learn about personal space when family members respect their touching preferences. This learning can start as early as preschool, when many children are very focused on learning what they can be in charge of.

Personal care:

Help children take responsibility of caring for their own body. This reinforces personal space. A child who is independent in bathing or going to the bathroom is less vulnerable to being taken advantage of in abusive situations. It may take patience and ongoing and gradual instruction to help a child with a developmental disability learn these skills, but it is also an important step in helping them grow up.

“Private triangle:”

Children can learn that the parts of their bodies covered by a bathing suit are private. No one should touch their private area except for hygiene or medical reasons. A good way to know if the touching is appropriate is if they can tell other adults about it. Touching that is secret is not appropriate

“No, go, tell:”

This simple phrase is a reminder for children of what to do if someone tries to touch them in a way that makes them uncomfortable:

1. Say no
2. Get away if you can
3. Tell an adult. A child should continue telling until an adult helps them.

There should be at least three adults that a child can go to for help. All children should be taught the proper names (or “doctor names”) for private body parts. Slang words can vary from culture to culture, and family to family, but the “doctor names” are always understood. This teaching can happen as early as teaching a child the names for “nose, eyes and ears” but it’s never too late to tell a child, “now you’re old enough to learn the doctor names for private parts.” “No, go tell” can be a natural thing to teach children when you’re talking about other safety rules, such as how to cross the street or not to play with matches.

Positive self-image and social relationships:

Children who feel good about themselves and have at least one friend are less vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others. Families can help children take pride in their accomplishments, large and small. For example, posting their artwork on the refrigerator, attending school events, etc. Moreover, youth clubs, activities or play dates can help foster friendships with other children with similar interests.

Age-appropriate sex education:

Children with developmental disabilities experience the same physical and emotional changes with puberty as typically developing children, but are less likely to receive sex education at school. Preparing a child in advance for body changes associated with puberty makes the experience less confusing and offers an opportunity to teach them about the family’s values and beliefs regarding sexual relationships along with the facts. Talking openly, and in an age-appropriate way with a growing child about this aspect of life shows them that it is an acceptable topic to ask questions about. If they have questions or uncomfortable experiences, they are more likely to talk with an adult who has shown they are willing to address the subject.

Puberty can start as early as eight, and it’s helpful for a child to have information about the changes they are experiencing. But they don’t need to learn everything all at once. Instead, talk to them about what they are most likely to be experiencing at the time. Body changes, “crushes,” and questions about dating are all topics that may seem more important to a child at different times in their development.

The topics can be uncomfortable or even frightening for family members to think about. The information and skills above can help a child be less vulnerable to victimization and better equipped to navigate adolescence. But most of this teaching happens naturally in families as children grow. Being aware of the important lessons can help parents be ready to take advantage of “teachable moments” as they arise in a child’s life.

Please share this post with caregivers as well. Doing so can reduce the risk of abuse by teaching children with developmental disabilities what they need to know about their bodies.

Have you ever turned on soft soothing music to calm you and help you refocus when you felt stressed? Or turned on your favorite dance or rock music to help get you energized again when you felt low in energy?

Music definitely can affect your mood and the way you feel and act. Last month, our hospital had the opportunity to demonstrate this with the help of the final four contestants of Season 12 American Idol when they visited patients and families. The kids were happy when they were able to sing with the Idols. Doing so lifted their spirits and helped distract them from the hospital environment. This is the idea behind the field of music therapy, which is part of the Mark Taper and Johnny Mercer Artists Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

History of Music Therapy

The first official music therapy degree program was offered at Michigan State University in 1944 but the idea of using music to heal patients has been around since ancient times. The modern practice of using music in hospitals started after World War I and II when local musicians would travel to veteran hospitals to play for soldiers. The music helped lift their spirits and made them feel better.

Music Therapy at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, licensed professional music therapists provide musical activities for our patients that include creating, singing, movement and simply listening to music. This therapy provides ways for children to communicate and can facilitate rehabilitation. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, kids can listen to soothing music before medical procedures or surgery to help decrease anxiety. All activities help patients deal with the stress that can be associated with illness and hospitalization.

For children, music can be a fun way to learn, relax and get through tough emotional or physical situations. It can help with communication, social skills and with other abilities. In fact, it’s also been shown to reduce stress, which can help keep your immune system healthy.

Recently the final four contestants from Season 12 American Idol, Candice Glover, Kree Harrison, Angie Miller and Amber Holcomb, came to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for a visit with our kids and our music therapy department. They visited many units and a lot of our patients.

Music Therapy in the Newborn Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU)

Music has been shown to lower heart rates and have a calming effect on the babies. Even though we make every effort to keep the NICCU as serene as possible, the premature babies in can still become over-stimulated with all of the monitors beeping and the normal everyday things that happen in a busy intensive care unit. One of the things that music therapy is used for in this unit is to decrease the babies’ agitation.

During the American Idol visit, Kree Harrison worked with Tacy Pillow, a Music Therapist who works on our intensive care units at the hospital. The pair visited premature babies in our Newborn Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU) and sang some lullabies together and could see the babies heart rates go down as they were singing. Kree and Tacy sang soft lullabies and other songs with quiet tempos to three babies in our NICCU.  Kree expressed to Tacy that this was a difficult experience, but added that it was rewarding to make such a difference in the lives of these preemies. During their short time there, they helped a mother bond with her child as she saw how to use music as a part of the healing process. “It is one of the best experiences that I’ve had throughout the whole Idol process,” reflected Kree.

You can experience Kree’s visit here.

Music Therapy Helps Parents Too

Music therapy in the NICCU is also used to help empower parents and families and to help them connect with their tiny premature infants. In the NICCU, too much touch and contact can sometimes be over stimulating to the infants and opportunities for parents to have physical contact with their babies can be limited.

Tacy, our music therapist, will often write songs with the families so that they can sing them directly to their babies. This helps with the bonding process and also creates positive memories for the families in an otherwise stressful situation. Since the babies have heard the parent’s voices, especially the mother’s, during pregnancy, hearing the parents’ voices can help to calm the infant.

Music Therapy for Older Kids and Adolescents

Amber Holcomb joined the kids and adolescents in our Creative Oasis, a special room in our hospital where kids and teens can play music with various instruments and participate in creative therapies. Some of the goals of music therapy are to normalize the hospital environment, help relieve parents and inspire long-term appreciation for the arts.

“This is a life-changing experience,” she said, and when one child said that Amber was her favorite Idol, Amber responded, “I vote for all of the kids here to get well!” Amber expressed that she was nervous about singing in the end of the day concert for the kids, but, “These kids most definitely inspired me to be strong. They are going through so much but are still able to smile and have a good time.” You can experience Amber’s visit here.

Candice Glover, who just won Season 12 American Idol, interacted and played games with the children both in the playrooms and in their hospital rooms. She noted during her visit that this did not feel like a hospital, as the hospital employees make the kids feel like they are in their home environment. “These are definitely some strong kids…my hope is that everybody can get the care and the medicine they need so that all of them can walk out that front door and be a kid again,” said Candice. You can experience Candice’s visit here. Congratulations on being named America’s new Idol!

Angie Miller helped present donated guitars to the music therapy program for patients and families during her visit. She reflected, “It’s amazing how Children’s Hospital Los Angeles understands how music can help heal someone.” She dedicated her American Idol performance to the children she met during her visit. You can experience Angie’s visit here.

At the end of the visit from the Top Four American Idol contestants, they provided a special concert for patients and their family members.  The kids were overjoyed to hear the Idols and were encouraged to participate by singing along with them. Some of them even made their way up to the stage to sing with their favorite Idol. The visit brought joy to so many patients and families and lifted so many spirits around the hospital.

I think it was therapeutic for everyone involved and just brought the entire program a little closer to home for me!

For more information about music therapy at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, visit the webpage for The Mark Taper and Johnny Mercer Artists Program. Parents and families at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles can ask their child’s nurse to make a referral for music therapy.

Children have a natural ability to learn and grow that, coupled with adult support and help, can be a lifelong source of resilience.

Reflecting on their clinical work with traumatized children and their families at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Psychologists Stephanie Marcy, PhD, and Karen Rogers, PhD, recently shared their observations with the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family Show and USA Today, respectively. Below, they’ve expanded on their observations to discuss how children can develop resiliency, confidence and adaptive techniques while managing anxiety, stress, fear and uncertainty common to traumatic experiences.

“Under the right circumstances, even a child exposed to extreme adversity can recover and go on to thrive,” Rogers says.

But they can’t do it alone. Helping a young person recover takes more than just relying on their natural resilience. Here is what you can do to help.

Provide a Sense of Safety

Rogers: Reassure children that they are safe. Keep a predictable routine. Shield younger children from the news. Help teenagers manage their own exposure to media. Allow them to talk as much or as little about their experience as they want.

Marcy: Accentuate the positive things happening in the world rather than the negative.

Recovery can Take a Long Time

Rogers: After a few weeks or months, many kids who experience short-term stressors or trauma return to the way they were before the trauma. If that doesn’t happen, it may be wise to seek additional help. Individual, family or group therapy can be very effective in helping people learn to cope with hardship.

What to Watch Out for

Rogers: This is more about who’s at greater risk. What to watch out for would be disturbance in mood, sleep, appetite, aggressive behaviors, nightmares, playing out the trauma over and over, and developmental regression.

Marcy: Some children are at risk for severe stress reactions to traumatic events. Factors include a history of child abuse and neglect, depression and anxiety and any family history of these experiences and symptoms. A lack of social and family support systems can also prolong the adversity.

Provide Structure and Caring

Marcy: Provide children with the comfort of a daily routine to provide them with structure and security. As a child matures, they can begin to develop their own routines. Build strong support systems, including immediate and distant family, teachers, mentors, coaches, peers or religious figures.

Rogers: “A child who knows that there is at least one grown-up who genuinely has their best interest at heart, who believes they can succeed and wants to help them, is more likely to be resilient even after multiple stressful experiences. This caring adult is often a parent, but could also be a grandparent, aunt or uncle, teacher, pastor or coach. Only one such adult makes all the difference in the world.”

Set a Good Example

Marcy: Build positive self-esteem through praise, encouraging them to be more independent and set goals for themselves. Praise for even small effort because it’s a progress toward goal accomplishment.

Rogers: One of the most powerful ways parents can influence their children is by setting an example. Show there is a balance between work and play, model a healthy lifestyle and show kids by your example that conflict can be resolved and that adversity can be overcome.

Empower Your Child by Providing Opportunities to Help Others

Rogers: Whether it’s teaching a younger child how to play a game, participating in a food drive, fundraising event or volunteering, children who have an opportunity to care for others know that the things they do make a difference. Kids who know that their hard work can be successful, that their efforts matter, are better able to cope when things are tough.

Final Thoughts

Marcy: Research shows that the support of the adults the children are closest to and their living environment often have a stronger influence on how they adjust after abuse than the actual nature of the abuse

Rogers: We can’t always shield kids from terrible experiences. But we can help them to build the capacity to adapt. Children have a natural ability to learn and grow that, coupled with adult support and help, can be a lifelong source of resilience.

To read a helpful blog post with information about how to talk to your kids about challenging situations like violence and disaster, check out this post from our Children’s Hospital Los Angeles experts.

In all marriages there are levels of disagreement and conflict. It’s natural and part of growing as a married couple and as family. But, is there a correct way to disagree and argue when kids are present? Stephanie Marcy, PhD, psychologist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles recently shared her thoughts on Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family Show. As part of her clinical work at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the last 15 years, Dr. Marcy has treated kids who have experienced trauma in their life, from medical, family, and community sources. Her expert advice is also featured in the award winning blog article, Talking to Your Kids about Violence and Disaster.

When parents argue, kids are often more frightened by tone and volume of voice rather than content, explains Marcy.

Dr. Marcy’s 10 Tips to Consider for Arguing if Kids are Present

1. Do not curse, yell or do name calling. Certain words (e.g., “stupid”) are “bad words” for kids. Keep the tone friendly and avoid loud voices. Kids often are more scared by tone and volume than content.
2. Do not threaten one another.
3. Do not disagree on parenting styles in front of your child. Discuss disagreements privately and create nonverbal cues when differences arise. Parents need to present a united front to children to prevent confusion and manipulation.
4. Take a breather. For example, run an errand, take a walk and return to the issue later.
5. Fighting “behind closed doors” does not necessarily lessen the impact on kids; it may raise anxiety as they assume the argument is about them.
6. Avoid scary or inappropriate topics (e.g., gossip, sex, cheating, drug or alcohol use).
7. Don’t make your child take sides or run interference to prevent fights. This can be very frightening and confusing.
8. If arguing gets out of hand, acknowledge the inappropriate behavior and allow your child to observe the apology and make-up hugs, etc. If your child is old enough, engage them and ask how they felt during the argument, what fears they have and provide direct reassurance.
9. Consider couples counseling to find more constructive ways of problem solving, and perhaps counseling for the kids if they show anxiety in reaction to the fighting.
10. Parental arguing may have a huge impact on their observing children. Outcomes can be presented by a range of behaviors in kids: depression, withdrawn behavior, tears, anxiety, separation anxiety from parents. Kids could display overly aggressive behavior as well, like rebelliousness.

For more expert advice from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles experts, visit the Clinicians and Physicians section on our blog.

We are excited to announce Round Two of Platelets for Playoffs with the Los Angeles Kings!

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Blood Donor Center has teamed up with the Kings Care Foundation for year two (and round two) of Platelets for Playoffs (#PlateletsforPlayoffs).

Donate platelets at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Blood Donor Center from May 15-22 and be entered to win two playoff tickets to Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday, May 23. You’ll also be entered to win a Los Angeles Kings game-used autographed hockey stick!

Why platelets are important for our patients:

• Kids receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment have low platelet levels.
• Kids undergoing bone marrow transplants have low platelet levels.

Requirements to donate platelets:

• Must be at least 17 years old
• Must weigh at least 110 pounds
• Have a valid ID
• Eat a healthy meal before donating
• Donation process takes two to three hours

Make an Appointment Today!

Due to the time constraints for platelet donations, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles requires platelet donors to schedule their appointments.

Platelets for Playoffs appointment times are available May 15-22.

To make an appointment or for any questions, email blooddonorcenter@chla.usc.edu or call 323-361-2441.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Blood Donor Center
4650 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Mother’s Day arrived a few days early at our hospital for kids and their moms. On Wednesday, May 8, Drew Barrymore, her cosmetic line, FLOWER, along with a number of hair and make-up stylists arrived ready to host an afternoon of pampering.

The afternoon of spa bliss brightened the spirits of moms and their kids. Diana, whose child has been at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for one month shared her gratitude for the spa day. “It’s a nice stress reliever from the daily doctor visits and recovery process for my child. The nurses have been helpful too, they talk to me when I need it,” shared Diana while she was getting her hair curled and styled.

The afternoon was a nice way for moms and kids to feel like they weren’t in a hospital, but rather in a fancy salon being treated like stars. “I never have time to pamper myself. I am always in the hospital caring for my kid,” shares Amalia, whose child has been a patient for ten months. Some of the kids wanted their face painted and Drew invited an artist who used non-toxic face paint. Some of the parents channeled their child and got face paint art too!

Moms and kids not only received mini-makeovers but also goodie bags full of Drew’s make-up line and other fun items.

For all moms, we hope you enjoy Mother’s Day this Sunday. Take time to relax, read a book and enjoy some sunshine. Happy Mother’s Day!

I have cystic fibrosis and diabetes.

On July 28, 2008, I got my double lung transplant at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and you can peer into my story with cystic fibrosis here. I talk about what cystic fibrosis is, how it’s affected me, my transplant journey and what lungs of cystic fibrosis patient look like.

Many thanks to Dr. Maclaughlin, Donna, Monica and everyone else on the lung transplant team. Thanks to Dr. Herrington for dedicating ten hours of her time to operate on me and giving me new lungs and a new life. Thank you to Dr. Ward for standing with me all these years as my cystic fibrosis doctor.

My older brother, Eduardo Umpierre, received his double lung transplant at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in October 2005, all thanks to Dr. Woo who made it possible.

My best friend, Tahnee Smith, also received a lung transplant in March 2006. We became close friends while at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles!

Lastly, thank you to the nurses of 5 East and 6 West for being some of the best nurses and letting me be confident enough in putting my trust and giving them my life to care for. Outstanding job and I love every one of them to bits.

It’s likely you’ve heard of MRSA and not known exactly what it was. Some people in the media call it a “flesh eating bacteria” or “staph infection.” The World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) categorized MRSA has a major public health threat. MRSA used to be found mostly in hospitalized patients, but there are more reports of MRSA affecting people in the community as seen in this story from FoxNews.com. It is a scary thing because it sometimes morphs into the dreaded “flesh eating bacteria” that caused a world wide scare a few years ago as seen in this 2010 article in CNN Health about the rise of MRSA infection in student athletes. To learn more about this and provide knowledge to parents about MRSA and kids, I partnered with a colleague of mine, Terry Renteria, RN, who specializes in wound and skin care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. I also found this resource from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) helpful.

What is MRSA?

So, what is this bacteria? The MR stands for methicillin resistant and the SA stands for staphyloccus aureas. In understandable terms, the bacteria has become resistant to the antibiotic, methicillin, which was used after penicillin was overused to treat MRSA and lost its effectiveness. MRSA is also resistant to heat and drying. Moreover, it is becoming more resistant to treatment and can lead to serious and even fatal infections such as necrotizing fasciitis, osteomyelitis (bone infection), endocarditis (inflammation of the inner layer of the heart and valves) and sepsis (overwhelming infection).

MRSA is present in the environment around us and humans are natural reservoirs for habitat. It is estimated that 50 percent of healthy people carry a strain of this bacteria, especially health care workers, people with skin problems and intravenous drug users. This statement is not meant to scare. There are ways you can prevent an MRSA infection, especially if you feel like you or your family is at risk. Keep reading to find out.

How Does MRSA Infection Spread and What are the Risk Factors?

As I mentioned earlier, MRSA is present in the environment around us, which give the bacteria opportunity to spread. Below are ways it can spread and make people sick.

• Easily spread from hand-to-hand. Person to person spread, especially by hands
• Sneezing or respiratory droplets like mucus and moisture from the mouth
• Blood
• Sharing personal hygiene items such as combs, tweezers, towels and sports equipment

The risk factors of developing an MRSA infection are trauma or injury to the skin, direct contact with a person carrying MRSA, chronic skin disease along with these other factors:

• Previous colonization of MRSA in the nose
• Households of four or more people
• Children in day care settings
• Use of antibiotics in the previous year
• Contact sports, like soccer, football and water polo.
• Pets

What Does and MRSA Infection Look Like?

MRSA infection usually affects the skin on the buttocks and legs. Here are some things to look for:

• Pus filled spots or boils. These mostly look like pimples at first.
• Infected area is hot, swollen and red. It will become very painful if untreated.
• Infected area can develop a blackened center and is often confused with a spider bite.

What is Treatment Like for an MRSA Infection?

If you believe you or someone in your family may have an MRSA infection, see a physician as soon as you can. Delay in treatment can cause worsen and spread the infection. This means a longer hospital stay. If treated for MRSA infection, this is what you may experience:

• The doctor will draw an incision at the infected site to encourage drainage
• Smaller infection sites can be treated with moist heat  to allow it to drain
• Antibiotics to treat the infection
• Decolonization of the bacteria using intranasal treatments and antimicrobial soaps

Ways You Can Prevent MRSA Infection

Most MRSA infections can be managed with good wound care, draining and attentive use of antibiotics. Prevention is key! Here are ways you can prevent it:

• Proper hand hygiene is important. Use soap and water, or hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
• Children should not share personal items, like combs, toothbrushes, etc.
• Use dry bandages to keep wounds covered and clean.
• No contact with others until wounds heal.
• Watch for the signs and symptoms listed above.
• Take the entire course of antibiotics as your doctor prescribes them
• Follow up with your doctor when antibiotics are finishes (as prescribed) or when the doctors asks you to come back, to make sure the infection is gone.

Each of the Top 4 Idol contestants, Kree Harrison, Amber Holcomb, Candice Glover and Angie Miller, was on hand to interact with our patients. One stop on their visit include the hospital’s Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU), where the contestants participated in music therapy (you’ll have to tune in this Wednesday, April 24 at 8 p.m. PDT #IdolatCHLA, to find out which song resonated most) and witnessed the healing power of music.

Patients and families enjoyed their visit, especially a toddler boy, Morrison, who underwent a liver transplant three months ago. While too young to form sentences, he did plenty of coo-ing, giggling and squealing when the Idols were around.

The contestants brought the American Idol crew with them to present a mini-concert to our patients and some of the most special moments with our patients were captured for the cameras. One special moment included a visit with former hospital patient, Eileen, a Junior Ambassador of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and teen singer. During the Idol’s private concert, she beamed with inspiration when she asked the Top 4 what it was like to be on stage and perform. Performing on stage on national television is one of Eileen’s dreams and there is no doubt today left a lasting impression for her to reach for the stars!

The moment that will last a lifetime was the last song of the Idol’s private concert. Kree, Amber, Candice and Angie invited patients from the audience to join them on stage to sing Bruno Mars’ Just the Way You Are. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Our patients loved the opportunity to mingle with the contestants and the contestants had a great time as well.

As a way to say “Thanks,” the Idols were presented with a colorful painting created through a collaborative effort among our patients.

These moments and many more are being prepared now to go on air this week during the Top 4 episode of American Idol! Please plan to watch or record American Idol this Wednesday, April 24 at 8 p.m. PDT on FOX, so that you can see their visit. We’ll be tweeting #IdolatCHLA!

Steps to Follow for Medicine Safety at Home

These expert steps I’m sharing are perfect for medicine safety at home. In school, nurses are taught to follow the “Five Rights” before giving medicine to a patient. You can easily follow these at home before giving your child medicine.

1. Check that the patient (or your child) is right person for the medication assigned
2. Check that you have the right medication
3. Check that you have the right dose
4. Check that you are giving medicine at the right time, for example, morning versus evening.
5. Check that you are giving medicine in the right way, for example by mouth, injection, etc.
6. I am adding a sixth step. Check that the medication is not expired. It’s easy to grab expired medicine without realizing it. I clean our family’s medicine cabinet once a year and take the expired medicine to the hazardous waste dump. You can visit lacsd.org/solidwaste to find a waste dump near you.

Following each of these six steps is important to make sure medication errors don’t happen. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, we lock up medicine far away from kids, so there is no chance of them poisoning themselves accidently.

Tips for Medicine Safety at Home

I have cared for many patients admitted to the hospital for consuming medication because they found it on the counter, in the refrigerator, or they saw a stray pill on the floor and thought it was candy. Medicine can look like candy but it is far more dangerous if consumed. Here are some easy tips to keep your child out of the medicine cabinet and loose pills from escaping into the furniture and carpet. If a child consumes medication not prescribed specifically for them or an incorrect dose, it can cause serious illness or injury and possibly even death.

• Only give medicine prescribed or recommended specifically for your child by their pediatrician. Don’t share prescriptions.
• Lock up the medicine in a cupboard up high where kids can’t reach.
• NEVER leave medicine on counters! You can’t assume that just because it’s on a counter that kids cannot reach it.
• If medicine needs to be refrigerated, put it in a locked container in the fridge and stash the key up high and out of reach.
• If you accidentally drop a pill on the ground, FIND IT right away! Do not leave the room until you do. Believe me, even if you can’t find it, your child will. They have a knack for that!
• If medicine must be sent to school, leave it with the front office – not the child.
• Often children’s medicine is flavored and kids think its candy. Teach your child that it is NOT candy and it is not something they can have unless an adult tells them it’s ok.

Medicine is not a bad thing. It helps sick kids get better. As long as we are all careful and follow the six steps listed above, it is perfectly safe to have at home. So go home, do a spring cleaning of your medicine cabinet, put a good lock on it and rest easy knowing your kids are safe.