Hearing Loss: iPod

Permanent hearing loss can result from exposure to any sound that is sufficient in intensity and duration (1). In recent years, use of iPod and other personal listening devices have rocketed the market and this is raising many concerns for its users. Many researches have found that there is a correlation between exposure to longer duration of loud music and hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss, which was once associated with aging is now also affecting our younger generation, who are frequent users of such devices, iPod (1). The enhanced portability, storage and longer battery life of iPods, promotes more listening and for longer duration, among children and youths. Noise induced hearing damage occurs gradually over time and by the time people realize they have hearing difficultly, the damage is done. But wait! This does not mean you have to throw your iPod away. The good news is such hearing loss could be prevented with simple techniques, while you still enjoy listening to your favorite music.
Tips to avoid iPod hearing Loss.
Don’t listen so loud- It’s safe to regularly listen to your iPod at about 60% of
it’s maximum volume. Anything louder than that over an extended period is risky.
Use Volume Control- Restrict your maximum volume sound to avoid increasing to an unsafe level.
Limit Your Listening- The length of time listening to music can contribute to hearing loss also. The louder the music, the shorter you should listen. Give your ears a chance to rest between sessions.
Use the 60/60 Rule-Combination of volume and length of exposure can cause hearing loss, therefore it’s recommended to listen to an iPod for 60 minutes at 60% of max volume and then take a break. Ears that get a rest have time to recover and are less likely to be damaged.
Never Max it out- Don’t maximize your volume. It’s safe to listen to your iPod at maximum volume for just 5 minutes.

Reference
http;//www.hearninglossweb.com/Medical/Causes/nihl/mus/ipod.htm.

Staying Active with Your Child

Physical activity is important in everyone’s life, especially a child’s. The rising rate of overweight and obese children in Canada is alarming. The number of children aged 2 to 17 who are obese or overweight has increased from 15% in 1978/1979 to 26% in 2004. [1] A combination of healthy eating and exercise can help to combat these increasing numbers.

Physical activity has many benefits. Exercise can help to promote growth and development, maintain a healthy body weight, reduce fatigue by increasing energy, and increase concentration at school, among many other benefits.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guideline suggest children aged 5-11 should participate in an accumulation of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day. [2] Moderate intensity activities include bike riding, or activities that will cause them to breathe heavier and sweat a bit. Vigorous activity includes things such as swimming and running, or activities that cause them to be out of breath. [2]

Exercise is a great way for you to connect with your child, set a good example, and gain health benefits. Keeping active in the community will create opportunities for you and your child to meet new people in PoCo. Why not take advantage of some resources PoCo has to offer?!

Here are some great free or low cost ideas for you to stay active with your child in PoCo:

1. Enjoy the Trails! Make use of the 266 hectares of park land including 46 km of trails in PoCo. [3] Try participating in an activity with your child such as walking, rollerblading, or biking. Pick up your free Trail Guide at City facilities.
   


2. Walk Around! PoCo has a free stroller and dog friendly walking program. This volunteer run club encourages all ages to drop-in for free and take part on the 30-60 minute long walks.[4] This is a great way for both you and your child to meet new people!
   


3. Use the Facilities! PoCo has wonderful recreational facilities to take advantage of including Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex which has public skating and drop-in hockey. Hyde Creek Recreational Centre offers a pool, weight and fitness rooms, racquetball and squash courts, dance studio, and martial arts studio. For more information on times, prices, and programs refer to the leisure guide.
   


4. Free Active Cards! Grade 5 and 6 students can obtain a free get active card which allows them access to recreational facilities. Click here for more information.
   


5. Show Off Your Skills! PoCo has a free bike skills park open to all ages and skill levels. Get your child involved in this fun activity, maybe even learn a few tricks yourself! Find out where here.
   


6. Workout Outside! If you are looking to stay active with your child, try using the free outdoor gym at Gates Park. While it is designed for ages 12 and up, those under 12 can use the gym with parent supervision.

Money Saving TIPS:

• Tax Credit! Parents can apply for the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. This tax credit is available to parents for a child under 16 in an eligible program of physical activity. Click here to find out how. [5]
  


• Subsidy! Individuals can apply for a subsidy for recreational programs and memberships, due to financial difficulties. Application forms can be picked up at city-owned recreational facilities. [6]

With the free facilities, clubs, and endless trails it is easy to stay active in PoCo without having to travel far or spend a lot of money! Spend time with your child while keeping active. Remember a combination of healthy eating and exercise can promote good health for both you and your child and prevent the rising rates of overweight and obese children in Canada.

Enjoy all that PoCo has to offer!

For more ideas on how to keep your family active check out this video!

References

[1] Stats Canada. (2006). Childhood obesity: A troubling situation. Retrieved October 22, 2011 from http://www41.statcan.ca/2006/2966/ceb2966_004-eng.htm

[2] Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. (2011). For children-5-11: Guidelines. Retrieved October 22, 2011 from http://www.csep.ca/CMFiles/Guidelines/CSEP-InfoSheets-child-ENG.pdf

[3] Port Coquitlam. (2010). Parks, sports fields, and trails. Retrieved October 21, 2011 from
http://www.portcoquitlam.ca/Citizen_Services/Parks_and__Recreation/Parks_and_Trails.htm

[4] Port Coquitlam. (2010). Walking programs. Retrieved October 21, 2011 from http://www.portcoquitlam.ca/Citizen_Services/Parks_and__Recreation/Leisure_Guide/Walking_Program.htm

[5] Port Coquitlam. (2010). Child fitness tax credit. Retrieved October 22, 2011 from
http://www.portcoquitlam.ca/Citizen_Services/Parks_and__Recreation/Leisure_Guide/Child_Fitness_Tax_Credit.htm

[6] Port Coquitlam. (2010). Financial assistance. Retrieved October 21, 2011 from
http://www.portcoquitlam.ca/Dynamic/Page705.aspx

Photo courtesy of:
http://media.mercola.com/imageserver/public/2010/June/6.22kids-exercise.jpg

Author: Alicia

Safety Tips for the Internet

The internet is a great and fun tool that more and more people are using every day. With a few clicks anyone can access a whole wealth of information, communicate with anyone in the world, and provide entertainment. The internet is a big place and being safe should be the first priority for everyone.

Here are 10 tips to keep you and your family safe on the internet:

1. Place the computer in a common area so that any adult can monitor what a child is doing on the computer.¹
2. Have a family account that anyone can use.¹
3. Spend some time on the computer together to show kids safe internet behaviour.¹
4. Hand out your phone number and other personal information in person rather than over the internet.²
5. Never send out pictures to people you do not know.²
6. Know your child's online friends.¹
7. Let your child know to approach you when someone is making them feel uncomfortable online.¹
8. Bookmark your child's favourite websites for easy access.¹
9. Learn how to block websites that may contain objectionable material for children.¹
10. Report any suspicious activity to http://www.cybertip.ca/app/en/²

How else can you keep your child safe on the internet? Watch this informative video.

If you would like more information on how to keep your child safe on the internet, here are some websites that may be helpful:

• http://www.google.ca/familysafety/tips.html - Family safety tips on online safety from parents at Google
• http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/youth-jeune/web-safety-securite-eng.htm - An RCMP website for surfing safe
• http://www.netsmartz.org/DrSharon/Protection - A video by the NetSmartz Workshop on protecting your online.
• http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/games/index.cfm - Fun games for kids to learn how to be safe on the internet.

Be safe out there!

References

1. The Nemours Foundation. “Internet Safety”. Last modified June 2011. Accessed October 21, 2011. http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html

2. Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Last modified March 07, 2006. Accessed October 20, 2011. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/youth-jeune/web-safety-securite-eng.htm

3. Accessed October 20, 2011. http://isafesoft.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/kids-computer-keylogger-isafe.jpg

4. Google. “Family Safety Centre”. Accessed October 20, 2011. http://www.google.ca/familysafety/tips.html

Post by: Joanne Castro

Its Not Easy Being Green

Kermit the Frog said it right, "Its not easy being green" … but it sure is healthy. Nutritionists recommend that you increase your intake of dark green vegetables because the deeper the green, the more nutritious it is. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium) and vitamins (such as vitamins K, C, E and the B vitamins) as well as many other nutrients.

Now back to the "Its not easy" part. Its not easy being green (or being a vegetable, for that matter) especially around kids. Many kids do not like vegetables and some may even refuse to eat what is on their plate. According to Canada's Food Guide, kids between the ages of 4-8 should be getting at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. So how do you get kids to eat more vegetables, especially when they would rather have pizza and you are not supposed to force kids to 'clean their plate'? Here are some ideas you can use:

Make it fun. Serve kids a rainbow of colors every day. Try a salad face with a lettuce leaf head, two cherry tomatoes for eyes, a carrot stick for the nose, and green pepper strip for the mouth. Or, serve bright green broccoli 'trees' dipped in cheese sauce.

Trick them into eating vegetables. Place the vegetables into a food processor and use the metal blades to mince them finely. Add these minced vegetables to soups, mashed potatoes, pasta sauces - almost anything. They will hardly know the difference.

Dip them. Kids love to dip and eat. Serve carrot sticks, celery sticks and sliced green and red pepper with ranch dressing and watch them disappear before your eyes.

Top them. Cheese makes everything better. Sprinkle grated cheese over steamed broccoli and don't be surprised if your little ones show a new found appreciation for the green vegetable.

I hope some of these ideas help! Its important that you teach kids the importance of eating well so they can stay healthy throughout life.

Post by: Sonia Ali

A Guide for a Happy, Healthy Halloween

The weather is getting colder, the leaves are changing colour, and Thanksgiving dinner leftovers are in the refrigerator. This means it is time to start thinking about Halloween! This spooky holiday is full of fun, but we must always remember our healthy habits. With health in mind, here are some pointers to help keep you safe and your smile bright this Halloween.

Safety First!
Safety is very important to our health so here are 10 useful tips for a safe trick-or-treating adventure! ¹

1. Make sure costumes aren’t too long so kids do not trip over them.
2. Apply reflective tape to costumes so others can easily see the trick-or-treaters.
3. Try to avoid using masks which can limit vision – Makeup works well.
4. Plan your route ahead of time – Map out a safe route and stick to it.
5. Wear comfortable shoes and make sure the laces are doubled-tied.
6. Go in a group with trusted adult - There is safety in numbers so make sure everyone sticks together.
7. Bring a flashlight to help light the way- Make sure you have full battery power.
8. Obey the law – Stick to sidewalks, look both ways before crossing the street, and follow the rules of the road.
9. Only visit well-lit houses which are trick-or-treat friendly. Stay outside! Do not enter any house.
10. Check the treats! Ensure all candy wrappers are untouched and not tampered with.

For more safety tips, watch the Halloween Safety Video! ²




Keeping a Healthy Smile
Sugar on teeth can cause tooth decay and cavities so with all that candy, it is important to remember to brush and floss your teeth! Here are some tips and techniques to keeping a healthy smile.³

• Brush at least twice a day, in the morning and at night. After you eat candy, rinsing out your mouth will help remove some of the sugar.
• Brush your teeth for 2-4 minutes each time.
• Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after you eat acidic foods or drinks to prevent the breakdown of enamel.
• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
• Brushing your tongue will help keep your breath fresh.
• Flossing is a very important part of oral care. Food often is left in between teeth which brushing alone will not remove. Floss! Floss! Floss!

Since Halloween is the candy holiday, avoiding high sugar snacks is almost impossible. To help save your smile, try going for sugar-free hard candy or gum; dark chocolate is another good option. Try to stay away from chewy and sticky treats like taffy or gummies which get stuck in the crevices of teeth, and sour candies which have high acid levels .⁴Your teeth will thank you for it later!

Click Here for some fun and healthy Halloween snacks!


One last thing... Have fun!

Have a safe, happy, and healthy Halloween everyone!


1. Campigotto, J. (n.d.). 13 Halloween Safety Tips. Kaboose. Retrieved from http://holidays.kaboose.com/halloween/halloween-safety.html

2. Safety Skills. (2011). Halloween Safety Video. Retrieved from http://safetyskills.com/halloween-safety

3. Smile Canada. (2011). Tooth Brushing. Retrieved from http://www.smilecanada.ca/kids-corner/tooth-brushing/

4. Flanagan, C. (2011). The best (and worst) candy for your teeth. Academy of General Dentistry. Retrieved from http://www.agd.org/about/newsmedia/pressreleases/Default.asp?PubID=45&IssID=1415&ArtID=10007#body

How many antibiotics are you and your family taking?

Since the creation of penicillin in 1931, human beings are more than confident that we and our families are protected against any possible bacteria-borne disease. Although this is largely true, there has been a growing concern in regards to the amount of antibiotics that are being fed to farm animals such as chicken, pigs and cows. Antibiotics are fed to these animals to stimulate growth and to prevent them from becoming sick¹. There is no control over the amount of antibiotics that are allowed to be fed to farm animals in Canada, and, as a consequence of this, by the time a store-bought chicken reaches our

plates at home, we may not only be consuming the essential nutrients and proteins from the chicken, but we may also be ingesting antibiotic resistant bacteria, called “superbugs”.

What is the problem with this?” you may wonder. Well, these superbugs are resistant to many conventional types of antibiotics. So, when we come into contact with one of these superbugs through our food, not only does this bacteria have the potential to make us sick, but the doctor may not have any antibiotic available to fight the resulting illness because this bacteria is resistant to it. The doctor would have to find other ways that may not be readily available or as effective. Europe has passed legislation banning the use of antibiotics in farm animals in order to protect everybody from superbugs². Canada is now looking toward alternatives into solving this issue, and the federal government is currently funding a team of 16 researchers to find alternative ways to keep farm animals healthy without having to give them large amounts of antibiotics. The research will finalize by 2013³, and hopefully we would have viable alternatives by then.

Meanwhile here are some tips—provided by the Food Insight Blog—that you can follow so you can do as much as possible to protect you, your children, and your family’s health:

1 Don’t wash your chicken before cooking it. As this just sprays possible bacteria all over the counters and surfaces

2 Make sure your food is well cooked before consumption, use a thermometer if necessary. If you have questions on the right temperatures of the food that you are preparing, you can visit the Canadian food and safety guidelines (provide link here)

3 Try to buy organic farm food, as it has noticeably reduced amounts of resistant bacteria in it.

4 Follow all the cleaning standards in the kitchen. Clean your hands thoroughly and more than once to decrease the chances of becoming in contact with bacteria

5 Do not take antibiotics for viral infections such as the flu. They are not efficient in fighting viral infections, Take antibiotics only when necessary (for bacterial-borne-illnesses) and when directed by your doctor

6 Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Exercise and have a balanced and nutritional diet so your immune system can be stronger than ever!

For more tips visit: http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/ blog/2011/02/concerned-about-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-on-chicken.html

If you want to know more, watch the full episode of Marketplace: "superbugs in the Supermarket" : http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2011/superbugsinthesupermarket/

References:

1. Veterinary Drugs Directorate. (2002). Report of the Advisory committee on Animal Uses of Antimicrobials and Impact on Resistant and Human Health. Health Canada. Retrieved from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/alt_formats/hpfb-dgpsa/pdf/pubs/amr-ram_final_report-rapport_06-27-eng.pdf

2. Jhonson, E. (2011). Alternatives to antibiotics for Farm animals sought. CBC News Canada. Retrieved from : http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/09/23/antibiotic-usee-in-animals.html

3. Flood. T. (2010). Can Antibiotics Given to farm animals Really makes Us Sick? Food Insight Blog. Retrieved from: http://www.foodinsight.org/Blog/tabid/60/EntryId/242/Can-Antibiotics-Given-to-Farm-Animals-Really-Make-Us-Sick.aspx

Video: Courtesy of CBC News Canada. Market Place. February 11, 2011

Dealing with Bullies

Bullies, many of us had to deal with them at one point in time during grade school. Studies estimate that at some point, 30 per cent of children were victims of bullying or have bullied others, or both (1). In fact, it is estimated that bullying incidents happen in an average school, every seven minutes and lasts about 37 seconds (1). Bullying can be in many forms, such as hitting, kicking, swearing, teasing, mocking, and various other behaviours that can leave the victim scared, withdrawn, or depressed (1). Bullying could have serious consequences later in life as well as one expert points out: "... children who learn how to acquire power through aggression on the playground may transfer these lessons to sexual harassment, date violence, marital abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse." (1).

There are effective ways of dealing with bullies and it is important to talk to your kids early even before bullying starts. Parents can start by engaging in an imaginary confrontation by acting out a bullying scene. It is important to encourage your child to look at you straight in the eye and talk in a convincing manner as he or she deal with your bullying tactics (2). Since many bullies wants to see an emotional distress from their victims, advise your children not to give an emotional reaction.

When a child starts school have a talk regularly to see if he or she is being bullied by somebody. Victims of bullies often tend not to tell teachers or parents as they are afraid of retaliation from the bully (3). If you find your child is being bullied, think of solutions together such as ignoring it at first. If problem persist, explore solutions such as standing up for himself/herself in non-violent ways or notifying a responsible adult as soon as bullying begins. It's important to include the child to be part of the solution as many victims of bullying lose a sense of power and if parents take over completely, it will only reinforce the helplessness (3). It's important to stress that bullying should not be met with violence. Violence may make the matter worse or even turn the victim into the person doing the bullying. Most bullies expect physical retaliation but when victims respond with words or with a clever joke, the bully often gets distracted and according to John Coie, a Duke University psychologist, distracted bullies drop the pursuit three out of four times (2).

After exploring solutions together, always ask your child to see if there is something you can do as a parent. If your child says no, honour it, but if he/she seems unsure or says "I don't know" it often means yes in which case a talk with a teacher may be necessary. In extreme cases where a child is significantly injured by a bully or is experiencing severe emotional distress to attend school because schools officials have not taken care of the problem despite opportunities, law enforcement authorities may have to be contacted to intervene.

School is a place where students learn a lot of things, not just math, arts and history, but also about how to interact with other and also about coping with difficulties and hardships. Don't be too alarmed when you initially find out your child is being bullied. Although the matter should be taken seriously and firmly, it may act as a huge learning experience for your child in coping and dealing with the baddies in which surely we will all have to face again and again in some shape or form in our lifetime.

For more information regarding dealing with bullies visit:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/bullies.html

http://www.stopbullying.gov/

http://www.bullyingcanada.ca/index.php

1. Anne Trueman, "School can be scary for victims of bullies: Youth violence still not taken taken seriously enough, experts say: [Final Edition]" The Vancouver Sun, August 15, 2002, E1.

2. "Beating the Bullies: Teaching a youngster to act assertively can be solution to a school dilemma: Bullies: Take a cue from child's reaction to the incident: [1* Edition]" The Vancouver Sun, March 26, 1993, C8.

3. Norma Fitzpatrick-Bailey, "Standing up to bulles; Calm resolve, working with parents will give victimized children tools to fight back" The Vancouver Sun, March 30, 2009, C.4