Protect your child from overheating in a hot car

JULY 22, 2015, BY

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – Every summer we hear tragedies of children dying in hot cars. The extreme heat, even with the windows cracked, makes locked cars dangerous places for young kids.

This summer is no different.

SLUcare pediatrician at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center Dr. Ken Haller joins FOX 2 with some helpful reminders for parents.

Tips to remember:

  • ‘Look Before You Lock’ – Get in the habit of always opening the back door to check the back seat before leaving your vehicle. Make sure no child has been left behind.
  • Create a reminder to check the back seat.
  • Make sure you have a strict policy in place with your childcare provider about daycare drop-off.
  • Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in driveways or garages.
  • Keep car keys and remote openers out of reach of children.
  • If a child goes missing, immediately check the inside passenger compartments and trunks of all vehicles in the area very carefully, even if they are locked.
  • If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. Call 911 immediately. If the child seems hot or sick, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible.
  • Use drive-thru services when available (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.) and pay for gas at the pump.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE ON FOX2NOW.COM

Why are colds common during winter months?

JANUARY 8, 2015, BY

(KTVI) – Here comes the freezing temperatures… and the cold and flu symptoms? While it’s never been scientifically confirmed, Winter is typically known for being the season of sickness. According to SLUCARE Pediatrician Dr. Ken Haller, there seems to be good reason for that.

A recent study looked at how quickly viruses grow in different temperatures, particularly in the nose where body temperature tends to be lower since that’s where air comes in from outside.

Haller says the study showed that in lower temperatures, viruses tend to grow more so as people outside in the freezing temperatures, breathing in the cold air, their bodies are more susceptible, making it not just easier for viruses to grow there but also harder for your body fight off the virus.

Dr. Haller has some advice if you want to try to prevent winter sickness. First, drink lots of water. He says hydration is very important, and we should actually be drinking more water in the winter than in the summer. Next, try using a salt water nasal spray a few times a day to give your nose some extra protection and to keep your mucous membranes moist.

Understanding the dangers of lead contamination in school fountains

Drinking fountains at 30 St. Louis Public School buildings have also tested positive for high levels of lead. Out of order tags now mark those fountains and bottled water is being provided. Lead is particularly dangerous for young people.

Dr. Ken Haller, a pediatrician at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, visits Fox 2 News in the Morning to help explain just how children could be exposed to lead and what affect that can have on them in the future.

Click Here to view the full article on Fox2Now.com

How To Talk To Your Children About The Boston Marathon Bombings

BY 

ST. LOUIS, MO. (KTVI) – Dr. Ken Haller has some answers for parents of young children.

‘This is not something they can comprehend,’ says Dr. Ken Haller a SLUCare Pediatrician at Cardinal Glennon Medical Center. ‘That’s why it’s really a good idea to keep them away from these images as much as possible.’

Haller is referring to children five years of age and younger.

While he’s the expert when it comes to children, you’re the expert when it comes to your own.

‘It really is important to know where your kid is coming from and what their concerns are,’ says Haller.’ ‘Then as a parent you can reflect back on it and how awful you feel and that it is kind of scary.’

Dr. Haller recommends turning off the images from Boston and playing a game, baking some cookies or reading a book with your child.

‘But it’s also okay to reassure kids that something like this is extremely rare,’ says Haller. ‘It just doesn’t happen very much. And that’s why it is news, because it is so unusual and that’s why we pay attention to it.’

Dr. Haller says small children can be affected emotionally by yesterday’s bombing in Boston.

This is why he recommends letting your kids know that you as a parent or someone will be there if tragedy strikes.

‘This is an opportunity to maybe come up with a family plan?’ asks Patrick Clark.

‘Exactly,’ says Haller. ‘At times like this you want to discuss with your kids, ‘Where would we go?’ This can be a time to talk about something that is unrelated that is still important. If there’s a fire in the house where are our escape plans and where do we meet?’

Dr. Haller says discussing contingency plans gives children a little more power in their world and beyond.