Gastonia’s pediatrician can help make homework time much easier
Gastonia’s pediatrician insists that parents pay more attention to how they handle ADHD kids. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder is characterized by symptoms like lack of impulse control, inattentiveness, and/or too much movement like fidgeting. It affects how kids learn, requiring unique strategies. Acting on your child’s strengths and being flexible within a consistent framework is essential. While parents often think that an ADHD diagnosis means a child cannot attain success in life, it is not true. Establishing strategies and tricks for your child can make all the difference.

What are homework strategies for kids with ADHD?

• Headphones
• Breaks
• Alternative seating
• Timers
• Routines
• Fidget toys
• Make it a Game- “Gaming” homework
• Consistency

For details on these strategies- keep reading below.

Use headphones as an anti-distraction tool
Playing music on headphones can help focus attention on the homework task. You could consider noise-canceling headphones to simply limit distractions. Suppose your kid finds headphones bothersome. Then you can play their background noise of choice as you do homework.

Incorporate more breaks
It helps to schedule regular breaks in between homework time. Your child can choose the frequency of these breaks. But you can always adjust the schedule if the breaks happen too frequently or need to be more frequent. You should also make sure that the break time activities are worthwhile.

Consider alternative seating
If your child typically sits at a table or desk, consider setting them up in a different location or with other furniture, like a beanbag chair or a futon. You can take things up a notch by allowing them to do homework outside whenever the weather is favorable. Parents can also pair the workspace with their kids’ favorite pillow or blanket.

Add timers to act as finish lines
Parents should set timers for each homework session. Older children can set their timers. While going digital seems ideal, you may miss out on the fun that comes with non-digital timers.

Establish a routine
Homework should start at the same time every evening. Organizing all the materials needed before the task is best. Also, set up a homework order depending on your child’s preferences. For instance, you can start with a subject they don’t like.

Add fidget toys
Fidget spinners and other toys can help complete homework tasks requiring long sitting sessions. Incorporating various textures of fidget toys could go a long way.

Make homework time a contest -by “Gaming” the homework
Adding a competitive aspect by setting homework challenges is an excellent strategy. These include reading a whole chapter before a break. Make it two-way by allowing them to assign you a task for a similar amount of time. Don’t forget to celebrate completed challenges together!

Practice consistency
The above strategies work differently for every child. Therefore, work towards establishing one or more strategies that work for your child and keep up with them. If 13 minutes is the perfect time per session, set your timer to 13 minutes each time. Moreover, put up a suitable homework routine and go through all the steps every time. Be sure to participate in homework tasks as much as you can. Lastly, always check in with older kids.

Choose Gastonia’s best pediatrician
​Parents can work with pediatricians to establish the most effective and personalized strategies for homework tasks. Work with Gastonia’s best pediatrician to make homework time enjoyable and productive. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

Gastonia’s children’s doctor can help promote the overall health and well-being of your kids
Gastonia’s children’s doctor recommends getting a flu shot in September, typically when the vaccine is out, for optimal protection. Most people above six months should highly consider the shot. This will prevent a range of serious complications since the flu is more serious than the common cold. The former can make even the healthiest individuals feel miserable for days.

Taking your child for a shot can be daunting and undoubtedly not hassle-free, but it will be worth the effort. Thousands of flu-associated deaths are reported annually as more patients are hospitalized based on the severity.

When should my child get a flu shot?
Pediatricians advise parents to bring their kids as early as September for a flu vaccine. The body takes approximately two weeks after vaccination to develop the antibodies that safeguard it against the flu. Visiting the children’s clinic before the first influenza outbreak is recommended. While earlier is safer, it’s not too late to get a shot during winter. Flu is typically at its peak season from October to May.

What age child should get a flu shot?
Anyone over six months should be vaccinated. This is particularly true for high-risk individuals, such as children under age five, persons with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, seniors sixty-five years old or older, and those who care for high-risk individuals.

What are the reasons my child should NOT get a shot?
You are not eligible for a flu vaccination if:

• You’ve had a serious reaction to the flu vaccine before.
• You have Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
• You have a serious allergy to chicken eggs.
• You are less than six months old.

Be sure to speak to your doctor before vaccination if you currently experience moderate-to-severe illness.

How the flu shots work
Scientists predict the three probable main flu strains each year for the specific flu season. A vaccine will then be created to provide protection against these strains. Other strains can surface. Still, the vaccine will make the flu symptoms milder and assist in preventing complications. Getting a flu shot annually is vital since the virus mutates from one year to the next.

The more flu shots in the community, the better
Flu vaccination works best when many people in the community get their shot. That means there are only a few people to spread it to. Most importantly, it helps protect high-risk individuals who can’t receive a shot, such as babies under six months old.

What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?
Knowing that people generally do not react to this shot is comforting. Approximately 5% of people undergo a minor fever, chills, and/or a headache within 24 hours, as less than 25% experience some redness and minor swelling at the injection site. You can expect any symptoms to last only a few days.

Visit Gastonia’s best children’s doctor
​One way to guarantee your family’s health is to get flu shots. Update your family on their flu vaccine by visiting Gastonia’s best children’s doctor today. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

Gastonia's pediatric practice can help parents intervene early for a positive outlook
Gastonia's pediatric practice recommends that parents take a keen interest in their children's growth and development. It can help spot learning disabilities early to address them. Learning disabilities alter concentration, writing, speech, reading, and calculation and are common among children. As they grow, children may encounter many learning challenges throughout their education. However, recurring challenges in the same areas can be related to a learning disability. Parents should understand what learning disabilities look like and what to do if they think their child may have the condition. The first step in fostering a positive outlook for children with learning disabilities is understanding, recognizing, and planning.

Learning disability definition
A learning disability is a condition that changes an individual's ability to learn. It could affect how they read, write, speak, and generally process information. Note that learning disabilities do not reflect your child's intelligence. Simply put, these children may experience trouble processing specific types of input or expressing knowledge. Early recognition and intervention can assist children in overcoming their challenges and help educators teach in a way that includes the children's particular learning processes.

Signs of learning disabilities
Learning disabilities are broad and range in type and severity. But they can be categorized into a few defining characteristics. These include early education issues with reading, writing, and math; physiological disorders incorporating fine motor skills and education; and language or speech disorders.

Caregivers are better positioned to recognize learning disability signs in their children, even before they commence formal learning in schools. Learning disabilities are not only relevant in learning-specific environments like schools. Instead, they are ingrained in everyday learning as children take in new information and express it themselves.

Preschool and Kindergarten
Watch if your child has difficulty:

• Learning new words.
• Learning the alphabet or rhymes.
• Finding suitable words or descriptions.
• Sorting items by shape, size, or color.
• Learning shapes or numbers.
• Grasping their pen or pencil or doing it unnaturally.
• With buttons and zippers.

Elementary school
They have a challenge:

• Understanding prefixes and suffixes.
• Identifying sequences or following math steps in order
• Differentiating similar letters such as b and d.
• With pronunciation.
• Solving problems involving time and money.
• Differentiating basic words such as eat and walk.
• Organizing physical objects.

What can you do if you suspect your child has a learning disability?
The most vital step to take is to visit a pediatric clinic. They will rule out potential health issues and provide guidance about necessary screenings or testing for your child. Once the pediatrician identifies a learning disability, you can establish a long-term plan and gather the information your child's school may require to move forward. Meeting with your child's teacher to discuss the pediatrician's findings, intervention options, and next steps is also advisable. Screenings and proper intervention can significantly improve your child's future learning.

Choose Gastonia's pediatric practice
​Early recognition and intervention of learning disabilities can have positive long-term effects. Working with the right pediatric clinic can't be emphasized enough. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

Gastonia's kid's doctor can help ascertain your child's safety during a seizure attack
Gastonia's kid's doctor insists parents focus on keeping their children safe during a seizure. Watching your child have an attack can be very scary. Fortunately, most seizures only last a few minutes and rarely cause long-term medical problems. You are advised to stay calm and make sure that your child is in a safe place.

Causes of seizures
A seizure occurs when all neurons in the brain begin to fire at once. That interferes with the normal electrical function of the brain. The symptoms range from muscle spasms, unresponsiveness, body stiffness, loss of consciousness, odd sensations, and confusion based on the affected part of the brain.

Seizures are caused by head concussion, high fever, low blood sugar, drug overdose, infection, poisoning, congenital conditions, and a brain tumor, among other medical issues. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that makes people more susceptible to seizures. A person may be considered to have epilepsy if they have two or more unprovoked, recurrent seizures.

What can you do when your child has a seizure?

• First, make sure that your child is in a safe place on the ground where they can't fall or knock anything. It's not advisable to restrain your child's movements. Instead, ascertain they are in a place where they can move safely.
• Lay your child on their side to prevent the likelihood of choking if possible. It is especially true if they are drooling a lot. Never wedge your child's mouth open or put anything between their teeth.
• You can wait until the seizure passes before calling a doctor (if it lasts only a few minutes). But call your kid's doctor immediately after the attack, particularly if this is the first seizure. A pediatrician will examine your child to determine if a serious or underlying health condition caused it.

When to call 911

• Your child is having breathing difficulties, or you spot a color change in your child's face.
• They recently had a head injury.
• They have ingested any medications or poison.
• They have a heart condition.
• You have reason to worry about your child's safety.
• The seizure lasts more than five minutes.
• Your child is recovering slowly after the seizure.

Children often experience a postictal period after an attack. This is where they may fall into a deep sleep or exhibit confusion. It is okay to let your child sleep provided their breathing is normal. Also, don't get them to eat or drink until they are alert. Taking the time to comfort your child due to the scary experience is also vital.

Febrile seizures
Common types of seizures for children of three months to six years old are febrile seizures. They happen to two to five percent of children under the age of five. Febrile seizures can be prompted by a high fever over 101F or illnesses such as ear infections, flu, or colds. While they are frightening to watch, they only last a few minutes and don't result in lasting health issues. Parents should call their doctor immediately for evaluation.

Choose Gastonia's kid's doctor
​Your child's health is a priority. Working with Gastonia's kid's doctor is vital to promote a healthy, happy child. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

Gastonia's pediatrics clinic helps keep your baby's skin feeling comfortable 
Gastonia's pediatrics clinic recommends that parents consult their children's doctor before beginning new regimens. Eczema is a common issue for young children. Approximately one out of five children under the age of two are affected. The condition can worsen with cold temperatures, wind, and high humidity, requiring extra care during winter. Covering basic eczema care before stepping up into more treatments is advisable. These include moisturizing your child with an unscented, high-quality lotion severally a day, especially after bath time. If it is unsuccessful, consider the following at-home remedies:

Oils
Apart from prescription and over-the-counter ointments, caregivers are turning to oils to moisturize and safeguard the eczema-susceptible skin. Coconut oil is getting popular and can help children suffering from the condition. It stands out with mild anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It's best to affirm with your child's doctor that pure, unscented coconut oil will not irritate your baby's skin. It forms a barrier on the skin that will hold moisture in and soothe irritation. Note that essential oils are ultra-concentrated substances that can irritate when mixed with carrier oils, such as coconut oil. For instance, lavender oil comprises natural compounds that have been shown to trigger eczema flare-ups. Avoiding any strong fragrance is safe.

Treated baths
Parents should make sure that bath time doesn't cause more itchy time. Make use of unscented bath additives such as colloidal oatmeal to soothe the skin. However, be careful that your child's bath isn't too hot and that you are not utilizing any irritating or scented bubbles or soaks. Hot water leaches out the natural moisture of the skin. Similarly, heavy scents feature chemical compounds that can be highly irritating. After a lukewarm, unscented bath, children should be dried off immediately for moisturizer application to the whole body. Babies, toddlers, and small children will need help covering the entire body, whereas older children may only need assistance with the difficult-to-reach spots. Leaving any skin area unmoisturized after bathing strips the skin's natural moisture and increases the probability of an eczema outburst.

Wet wraps
Typically, eczema sufferers have trouble retaining moisture. That leads to inflammation and a low protective barrier. Using treatments that assist in holding in moisture is an excellent way to soothe irritating eczema and reinforce the skin's natural protection. Wet wrapping involves placing a damp cloth against the skin for hours, even overnight. Special 'wet wrap' suits are available for children with severe eczema to help retain vital moisture. Note that too much damp cloth on a child's body can cause chilliness and discomfort. Parents should change the wet wraps often and ascertain they are not soaking wet – only damp. Additionally, wet wrapping has hazards and could interfere with prescription treatments. Be sure to check in with your pediatrician before wet wrapping.

Choose Gastonia's top pediatrics clinic
Keep in mind that what works for someone else's child may not work for yours. Eczema is a condition associated with your child's particular immune response. That means triggers, symptoms, and treatment results vary from one child to another.
​
Keep in touch with Gastonia's best pediatrics clinic for customized tips and recommendations, and practice proper moisturization habits to boost your child's comfort. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

Gastonia's children's doctor can help you identify your child's cold
Gastonia's children's doctor insists that parents take note of any new behaviors and signs of baby sickness. Babies, especially newborns, are at higher risk of infections. Do you think your child is suffering from a cold? You are not alone. Healthy children get approximately six colds in the first year. Keep reading for the symptoms and causes of a cold and when to see a doctor.

Symptoms of a cold

• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Clear nasal discharge that turns gray, yellow, or green.
• Fever at the beginning.
• A hoarse voice and cough may accompany it.
• You may notice swollen lymph nodes and watery eyes.

Causes of a cold
Respiratory viruses cause colds. The influenza virus, for instance, causes a bad cold characterized by more fever and muscle aches. Colds are rarely severe, with the likelihood of only 5 to 10% of children developing a complication. This is often an ear or sinus infection caused by bacteria.

Does your baby have trouble breathing?
Breathing difficulty is one of the reasons to visit a children's clinic immediately. Trouble breathing is called respiratory distress, and the symptoms to worry about include:

• Shortness of breath or struggling for each breath.
• Your baby can barely cry due to tight breathing.
• Much faster breathing than normal.
• Noisy breathing is sometimes characterized by wheezing
• Retractions (ribs pull with each breath).
• Face or lips turn blue.

When to call the children's doctor
Call 911 if you notice severe trouble breathing and when you think your child could have a life-threatening emergency. Call the doctor with the following:

• Trouble breathing (not severe and disappears after cleaning the nose).
• Much faster breathing than usual.
• Wheezing (characterized by purring or whistling sounds).
• New onset drooling and trouble swallowing.
• A high-risk child with chronic lung disease.
• A child with a weak immune system, such as HIV, cancer, sickle cell disease, or organ transplant.
• A fever of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius.
• A child who looks very sick.

Care advice for a cold
A regular cold lasts approximately two weeks, but you can manage the symptoms as follows:

Suction the nose
The most common cold symptom is a runny nose with lots of discharge in some cases. It washes germs out of the nose and sinuses. Carefully suction the nose with a suction bulb for younger children. Also, apply petroleum jelly on the skin under the nose. Remember to wash the skin first with warm water to avoid redness. However, suction alone can't clear dried or sticky mucus.

Use nasal saline to open blocked noses
Utilize saline (salt water) nose spray to loosen up the dried mucus. An alternative is to use a few drops of water. This can be boiled water, distilled water, or boiled tap water. Suction one nostril out while closing off the other nostril. Then perform it on the next nostril.

Keep your child well hydrated
Try to get your child to take extra formula or breast milk. It thins the discharge and loosens up any phlegm in the lungs.

Use a humidifier if the air in your home is dry
​Visit Gastonia's children's doctorThe early weeks and months of life are sensitive and crucial. Caregivers need to watch their babies carefully to detect any illness signs early. In case you are unsure if your baby is sick, the best approach is to visit Gastonia's children's doctor. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

Gastonia’s pediatrician can help caregivers improve communication with their children
Gastonia’s pediatrician insists that parents can make their children listen more by changing their own behavior. Dealing with a child who doesn’t listen can be frustrating. Below are tips for fostering a healthy parent-child relationship.

Engage listening
Picture this: you’re making dinner and would like to ask your child (who is in their room) to take out the trash. Chances are you will shout from the kitchen since you want to save time. But if you’ve to shout to get your child’s attention, what should they do when they need to get your attention?

Let’s take it to the workplace. When you need a favor or help from a coworker, you walk to where they are, call them by name, and look them in the eyes. Once you have their attention, you proceed to say your request. Applying the same to your kids could produce great results.

Get your child’s attention politely

• Create eye contact and ask them to put their toy down or pause their show for a moment before you speak. For very young children, it’s best to get to their level.
• Mention their name. It is a straightforward and effective method to get one’s attention.
• Utilize a positive and clear language that focuses on what you want rather than what you don’t want.
• Avoid using language that judges or characterizes the child. Their listening stops when they switch to self-defense mode.
• Utilize ‘I’ messages and rally cooperation. Rather than saying, ‘Pick up your beads.’ Your daughter will respond better to: ‘I need to vacuum the carpet, and I wouldn’t like your beads to be sucked up. Please pick up all the bead pieces before you go to play.’
• Make sure they understand. You can ask kids to paraphrase your request. On the other hand, ask teens if they have any questions or take a moment to agree on when the task will be complete.
• Always thank them in advance for their help. Once they agree with what you’ve asked, you can give them the benefit of the doubt and thank them. It is typically what you do with adults. A simple ’great, thanks’ could go a long way.

Simple is best
Young kids need help with complex instructions. Instead of giving long instructions, keep them short and simple. You should also ask them to do one task at a time.

Avoid repeating yourself
You can train your child to ignore you by repeating your requests more than once. The likelihood is they’ve learned to recognize in your voice the moment they need to comply. If you follow the above tips, you won’t have to repeat yourself. You can determine a logical consequence of not listening in advance. Just be sure to follow up on the consequence to avoid repeating yourself.

Create a routine to avoid nagging
Clearly, documented routines can save you ounces of energy in temper mode. Posting a list of before-school and after-school activities is a great place to start. Printed photographs of younger kids performing the needed tasks in the morning can help them learn and check off each step. This way, when your child asks to go out and play, you can ask them if they’ve finished the items on the list.

Other tips include using the right volume and tone, offering praise and thanks, and demonstrating the kind of listening you’d like to see in them.

Work with Gastonia’s best pediatrician
​The best parent-child communication is founded on empathy and respect. Model a communication approach where your and your child’s time and needs are highly considered. Learn more by working with Gastonia’s pediatrician. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

Gastonia's children's doctor can help identify hand, foot, and mouth disease
Gastonia's children's doctor says that hand, foot, and mouth disease is a virus characterized by mouth blisters and a rash on the hands, feet, and bottom. It mainly affects young children and is mostly seen during late summer and fall. The common and queer disease can be hard to tell in milder cases. The excellent news is it can be treated at home with pain medication and plenty of fluids.

What is hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)?
HFMD is caused by a highly contagious virus that lasts seven to ten days. It can cause painful blisters or sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands, feet, and bottom. In milder cases, children may only have blisters in the back of their mouths. You can watch out for other symptoms to know when your child has HFMD. These include fever, malaise, irritability, sore throat, drooling, and the reluctance to eat or drink.

HFMD symptoms usually start to show three to seven days after infection. You should notice a fever first, followed by a sore throat and decreased appetite. Blisters usually appear one or two days after the fever. Although harmless, a few weeks later, the skin on the fingers and toes can peel off. In rare cases, the fingernails or toenails may also fall off. But that shouldn't be a reason to worry as they will grow back normally.

Who is prone to the virus?
Children of four years and below are likely to contract the virus. Adults aren't likely to get it or show symptoms since they have already developed antibodies that fight against it. The spread happens where children congregate, including preschool and daycare.

How is HFMD spread?
The virus stays in the digestive tract and is transmitted through saliva, feces, nasal mucus, and blister fluid. You can prevent the spread by washing your hands from time to time, particularly after changing diapers and before handling food. Once your child recovers, it's important to note that the virus can still spread through the stool for several weeks.

How can you treat HFMD?
HFMD has no cure like the common cold, so you can only treat the symptoms. Common treatments include:

• Use ibuprofen and acetaminophen to manage the fever and pain from mouth blisters.
• Closely monitor your child to ascertain they take plenty of fluids. Your child may refuse to take any drink. In that case, you should try popsicles made out of plain water or apple juice. It's best to avoid acidic drinks like orange juice and anything else spicy or salty. They can make blisters hurt even more.
• A pediatrician can prescribe a mouthwash solution to ease the pain from the blisters.
• Make sure the blisters on the hands or feet are uncovered and clean, and never try to pop them. If any pops, apply antibiotic cream and cover it with a bandage. They should last anywhere between one to two weeks.

Note: Let your child stay home until the fever and sores have healed.

When to call the doctor
Contact your pediatrician if your child refuses to drink or shows signs of dehydration. Also, call the doctor immediately if your child complains of a stiff neck, back pain, or headache.

Work with Gastonia's children's doctor
​Suppose you are unsure that your child has hand, foot, and mouth disease; it's best to seek a pediatrician's services. Work with Gastonia's children's doctor to alleviate pain and discomfort from the blisters and get skin relief and other supportive care tips. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

​Gastonia's best pediatric practice encourages a healthy living culture at home
Gastonia's best pediatric practice lists things families can do to prevent obesity. Childhood obesity has many contributing factors, such as eating patterns, genetics, sleep routines, and physical activity levels. All these factors are affected by where we live, learn, work, and play. 1 in 5 children has obesity and is at a high risk of suffering from asthma, bone and joint issues, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Read on to set up habits that support health.

Move more
Compared to inactive youth, their active counterparts have stronger muscles and bones, lower body fat, and better cardiovascular fitness. Kids aged 3 to 5 years should engage in physical activity throughout the day. Children of 6 to 17 years require at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. Consider family activities like riding bikes, having races, and walking the pet before and after school. Active chores are another option and include washing the car and raking leaves.

Create a healthy eating pattern
Developing healthy eating patterns assists children in reaching and keeping up with a healthy weight. Every family should consume various vegetables and fruits, lean protein foods, whole grains, and low-fat and fat-free dairy products for optimal health. Children can easily get the nutrients they need if half their plates contain fruits and vegetables. You can also trade sugary drinks like soda and flavored milk with 100% juice, water, or plain low-fat milk.

Observe consistent sleep routines
A good night's sleep is potent and prevents obesity, injuries, type 2 diabetes, and attention and behavior issues. Children who don't get adequate sleep are at a higher risk of unhealthy weight gain. While research on the link between sleep and weight gain is still ongoing, reasons may include causing a child to eat more or becoming less active due to lethargy. Preschoolers require 11 to 13 hours of sleep daily, including naps. Children between the age of 6 to 12 require 9 to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. On the other hand, the youth between the age of 13 to 18 require 8 to 10 hours of sleep. A child can sleep better by setting and sticking to a consistent sleeping pattern, even on the weekends.

More family time instead of screen time
Excess screen time is associated with various issues in young people, such as poor mental health, weight gain, poor sleep, and lower grades in school. Limiting screen time can free up time for more family activities. Be sure to turn off the screens an hour before bed and remove screens from the children's bedrooms. The latter can reduce screen time significantly and enhance sleep.

Work with Gastonia's best pediatric practice
​Are you worried about potential health risks associated with your child's excess weight? Work with Gastonia's best pediatric practice to adopt healthy and active living with the best medical attention for optimal results. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.

Gastonia's best kids doctor can help prevent burn injuries at home
Gastonia's best kids doctor is alarmed by the thousands of children treated in hospitals for burns each year. Scald burns, contact burns, and flame burns are some causes of burn injuries that need hospitalization. Parents can take some precautions to promote their children's safety and reduce susceptibility to burns.

Safety in the kitchen
The kitchen allows for a dozen creative activities for parents and children. Similarly, the kitchen can be a dangerous place. Meal preparation involves hot liquids, grease, and foods, which can result in serious burn injuries when they spill. Don't underestimate microwaveable foods, as they are responsible for many scald-burn injuries. Microwaves are quick and easy to use, providing convenience. However, liquids, foods, and containers can become too hot and cause serious burns when grabbed or spilled. Consider the following safety tips during meal preparation:

• Start by creating and enforcing a 'no-kid zone of at least three feet around the kitchen's stoves, microwaves, ovens, and other hot items.
• Children should stay out of rooms where a hot object can be touched. Always keep your baby in a safe place as you cook, including a crib, playpen, or buckled in a high chair.
• Don't hold a child while cooking or carrying hot liquids and foods.
• Treat items from the microwave as items from the oven and supervise microwave use by kids.
• Put pans and pots on the back burner. The handles should also be turned away from the edge of the stove.
• Keep away hot objects, such as hot drinks, from the edges of the table and out of reach of young children who could pull them down. Additionally, don't place these objects on tablecloths that can be pulled down.

Fire safety with outdoor fires 
Consider the fire safety of children of all ages regarding bonfires and campfires. Every part of a fire can harm children. Extinguished fire pits can remain hot for up to twelve hours and cause burns. Adhere to these tips during your next campfire or bonfire with your children:

• Supervise children at all times around fires and fire pits.
• Make sure that kids stay at least three feet from the fire edge.
• Never use an accelerant like gasoline, kerosene, or aerosol sprays to start a fire.
• Never throw anything other than wood into the fire. It is especially true for cans, which can explode and cause large flash flames.
• Always keep the fire small and manageable with water nearby in case of an emergency.
• It's best to have a sit-down with your children and explain the dangers of fires.

More measures to prevent burn injuries at home

• Lock away lighters, matches, gasoline, and other chemicals.
• Set your water heater thermostat to not more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Have an efficiently working smoke alarm on every level of your home. Be sure to test the alarms monthly and change batteries yearly.
• Supervise the time spent by your child on their computer, tablet, and phone. Trending social media challenges may involve using fire aerosol cans and hot water, which could result in burn injuries.

Work with Gastonia's best kids’ doctor
​Caregivers are responsible for making sure the home environment fosters children's safety. Remember that if a burn happens, cool it with cool water, remove all clothing and jewelry, and use a clean sheet or bandage to cover the affected area. Then, work with Gastonia's best kids doctor for the best medical attention. Gastonia Pediatric Associates, your Gastonia area pediatricians, offers top-quality pediatric care.