Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Winter 2021

6 VITALITY Winter 2021 5 tips for buying safe toys It’s magical when a child holds a treasured toy for the first time. That precious look in the child’s eyes says it all. For grownups, that’s the joy of giving toys for birthdays, holidays—or just because. But while kids want fun stuff, they need safe playthings too. Thousands of toy-related injuries happen every year. So keep these safety tips in mind on your next trip down the toy aisle: 1} Read labels carefully. Labels on toy packages can help you decide if the toy is safe for a child’s age and matches his or her interests and abilities. Make sure the label says the toy is nontoxic—meaning it doesn’t contain materials that could poison a child. 2} Look for potential hazards. For instance, loud toys can harm a child’s hearing. Strings or ribbons on stuffed animals can cause strangulation—remove them if the gift is for a young child. And small game pieces are OK for older kids, but they may choke a younger child if swallowed. 3} Think twice about flying toys. Toys that shoot things into the air can be a blast. But some parts may injure eyes or be choking hazards. 4} For young kids, avoid toys that need to be plugged in. Children under 10 are safer with battery-powered toys instead. Just remember to keep any button batteries—which might be swallowed—away from younger siblings. 5} Hand them a helmet too. Buying a riding toy? Don’t forget to include this safety gear for your skateboarding teen or tricycling tyke. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Safe Kids Worldwide 5 reasons you need prenatal care Here’s one of the most important things you should do as soon as you learn you’re pregnant: Make an appointment for your first prenatal care checkup. It’s the health care you and your baby need right now and in the months ahead. WHY? FOR STARTERS: Prenatal care helps keep both of you healthy. Getting regular prenatal care can help prevent some pregnancy problems or catch them early, when they can be easier to treat. You’ll have several prenatal visits throughout your pregnancy. At each one, your health care provider will check to make sure you and your baby are healthy. Prenatal care helps you have a full-term baby. Moms-to-be who get regular checkups are also less likely to have low-birth-weight babies. When babies are born too early or too small, it can cause health problems. A healthy start for you and your baby WE HAVE PROVIDERS WHO DELIVER—BABIES, THAT IS. CALL CMH OB-GYN CLINICAT 417-777-8131 TO SCHEDULE A PRENATAL APPOINTMENT. PREGNANCY