Guard Your Child's Lungs

When your children and grandchildren are grown, many of their adult breathing problems will have originated with respiratory mistakes made in childhood. Because so many pulmonary problems are IRREVERSIBLE, it is crucial that we devote ourselves, as responsible adults, to PREVENTION. Prevention is far cheaper and less painful than chronic bronchitis, breathing allergies, asthma, and even lung cancer. Many toxic substances that can be temporarily irritating to adults are devastating to young lungs.

1. Keep ALL second-hand smoke and smoke-polluted materials away from children.
2. Have all filters, fireplaces, and vents checked and cleaned regularly.
3. Allow for good overall ventilation in your home (especially basements and bathrooms) and try to air things out even in winter. Appliances should vent to the OUTSIDE.
4. Be cautious with any spray or aerosol product around children – air cleaners, cleaning ingredients, pesticides, disinfectants, moth repellents, hair spray and such.
5. Ventilate well when you bring in new furniture, carpets, flooring and drapes. Research the adhesives and padding being used before you purchase. Freshly dry-cleaned clothes aren’t so swell either.
6. Vacuum often. Keep a child’s room free of anything that catches and holds dust. Keep the pets out of your child’s room since pet dander and dust mites are a lethal combination.
7. Be careful choosing the lawn and garden ingredients you use around a child’s play area.
8. Never idle your car in an attached garage.

Be well (you AND the kids). Breathe beautifully.