classroom
health
·        
School is back in session, so kids are in tight
quarters, increasing their chances of getting sick.
·        
Talk to your kids about these tips to keep them,
and your family, healthy this school year:
o  
Avoid being close with sick people.
o  
Cover your coughs and sneezes with the inside of
your arm, not your hand.
o  
Wash your hands with soap and water. Sing
“Twinkle, Twinkle,” so you know you’ve washed long enough.
o  
Avoid touching your face to reduce the spread of
germs.
o  
Stay home
when you are sick.
o  
Do not share food and drinks with others.
·        
If your child is sick, take him or her to your
health care provider, so they can get better faster.
Recognizing
concussions
·        
About 170,000 kids and teens are treated in an emergency
department each year for sports related concussions.
·        
Recognizing the symptoms of a concussion
prevents further injury.
·        
If your child reports these symptoms after a hit
or fall, he or she may have a concussion:
o  
Bothered by light or noise.
o  
Headache.
o  
Nausea or vomiting.
o  
Balance problems or dizziness.
o  
Double or blurry vision.
o  
Concentration or memory problems,  or confusion.
o  
Feeling sluggish, hazy foggy or groggy.
o  
Just “not feeling right” or “feeling down.”
·        
Keep your child out of play. Concussions take
time to heal. Returning to play before a health care provider says it’s OK can
cause permanent brain damage.
·        
Be sure your child’s coach is aware of any
previous concussion.
·        
If you think your child has a concussion, seek
medical attention right away.
safety
App
·        
One in four women are sexually assaulted in
college. Men can be victims of sexual abuse, too.
·        
It’s easy to feel safe in your own community,
but there’s nothing wrong with being prepared and having a plan.
·        
Circle of 6 is a free app that prevents violence
before it happens.
·        
This app allows you to contact people discreetly
in three different ways.
o  
Text your circle that you simply need to talk if
you’re in distress.
o  
Alert your circle that you’re in an
uncomfortable situation and you need an interruption – like a phone call – to
excuse yourself.
o  
If you’re out late and you lose track of your
friends, you can text them your location and ask them to come get you.
·        
All of the messages are ready to go, so it just
takes two taps on your phone. The location text includes a GPS link to where
you are.
·        
Circle of 6 also comes pre-programmed with two
national hotlines including one for relationship advice.
·        
Don’t leave your safety up to chance. Download
this free app and set up your circle, today.
  

For more
information, visit
health.mesacounty.us and mesacountyhealth.com.