Children's Hospital Offers Safety Tips Due to Winter Storms or Year 2000

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Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center

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"The clear fluid looks like water and every year Children's Hospital sees children that mistakenly drink the oil, which damages their lungs," said Dr. Mark Del Beccaro, Emergency Department. "If the oil is aspirated in a significant quantity, it can cause respiratory distress and require hospitalization." So please store the lamps and the oil out of reach of young children.

Some children may also become anxious about the Year 2000 or other issues. As parents, there are some strategies you can teach your children to help them manage their stress. Communication is the key:

• Teach your children the signs of stress such as a pounding heart, fast breathing, or butterflies in the stomach.

• Help your child identify to know the signs of stress; worried about the lights going out in the house during a power outage and they are afraid of the dark, an upcoming quiz, a fight with a friend, etc.

• Encourage your child to work out a plan to deal with the cause of stress. Talk about the plan afterward. Praise the effort. Discuss other ways the problem might have been handled. Practice stress management together.

If your child's stress is out of control, seek help. Call your local health care provider or Children's Resource Line, locally at 206-526-2500 or toll-free, 877-526-2500 to speak confidentially to a nurse. The line is always available daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center provides health care appropriate for the special needs of children regardless of race, sex, creed, ethnicity or disability. Financial assistance is provided based upon family need and hospital resources.

CONTACT: Susan Macek, of Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, 206-368-4815.