Protecting Children from Environmental Risks
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Campbell County Medical Group (CCMG) Pulmonary & Sleep medicine offers many services including the prevention, detection, and treatment of environmental exposure in people of all ages. We wanted to share a list of the United States Environmental Protection Agency on tips to protect children (and really all people) from environmental risks that may affect their lungs, breathing, and overall health.
Help Children Breathe Easier
Don't smoke and don't let others smoke in your home or car.
Keep your home as clean as possible. Dust, mold, certain household pests, secondhand smoke, and pet dander can trigger asthma attacks and allergies.
Limit outdoor activity on ozone alert days when air pollution is especially harmful.
Walk, use bicycles, join or form carpools, and take public transportation.
Limit motor vehicle idling.
Avoid open burning.
Limit outdoor activity on poor air quality days.
Check your air quality at AirNow.
Keep Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals Away from Children
Store food and trash in closed containers to keep pests from coming into your home.
Use baits and traps when you can; place baits and traps where kids can't get them.
Read product labels and follow directions.
Store pesticides and toxic chemicals where kids can't reach them - never put them in other containers that kids can mistake for food or drink.
Keep children, toys, and pets away when pesticides are applied; don't let them play in fields, orchards, and gardens after pesticides have been used for at least the time recommended on the pesticide label.
Wash fruits and vegetables under running water before eating - peel them before eating, when possible.
Protect Children from Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
Have fuel-burning appliances, furnace flues, and chimneys checked once a year.
Never use gas ovens or burners for heat; never use barbecues or grills indoors or in the garage.
Never sleep in rooms with unvented gas or kerosene space heaters.
Don't run cars or lawnmowers in the garage.
Install in sleeping areas a CO alarm that meets UL, IAS, or Canadian standards.
Read about CO's impact on indoor air quality.
If you have questions or think you or a loved one has been exposed to a harmful environmental threat please give the team at CCMG Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine a call. 307-688-3615.
Article Source:
https://www.epa.gov/children/what-you-can-do-protect-children-environmental-risks
