A newsletter from your Pediatrician and
TAKE CARE
HEALTHY TIPS
FOR
BACK TO SCHOOL
Winter means colder weather, holiday celebrations and family get togethers. Here are a few tips for a successful and
healthy holiday season.
How to be safe in the Ice and Snow
by kidshealth.org
Winter activities are lots of fun – just ask any kid who’s been out throwing snowballs, ice
skating or sledding to the bottom of a giant hill. But when you’re out playing in the cold,
you should know how to be safe.
Stay Warm
No matter which winter sport you choose, staying warm is important. The right clothing
and equipment will help you do that. Dress in layers – this is true, but some of the newer
fabrics for cold weather give you the warmth of layers without all the bulk. Ask an adult
if you’re not sure what to wear outside.
The Children’s Health Foundation
is a non-profit organization that
partners with your Pediatrician
to develop quality health care
programs in our community.
We work together to foster the
highest quality care for children,
to raise awareness on health
issues, and to achieve better
children’s health outcomes.
Please ask your provider for
more information.
5901 SW Macadam Ave, Suite 220
Portland, Oregon 97239
503-222-5703 • 503-224-3938 (fax)
ch-foundation.org
Sometimes kids say, “I don’t mind being cold.” The tough
guy (or girl) approach isn’t a good idea. Staying warm isn’t
just about feeling comfortable. Your body needs to stay
warm to work properly. And when your body is at the
right temperature, it won’t need to spend as much energy
getting warm. That will give you maximum energy for
winter fun. Also, if you’re dressed properly, it means you
can stay outside longer without worrying about frostbite.
Sledding
Zipping down a hill at what feels like a million miles an hour can be a great time — as
long as you’re sledding safely. When you grab your sled, make sure it’s sturdy and that it’s
one you can really steer. The handholds should be easy to grab, and the seat of the sled
should be padded. Never use homemade sleds like garbage-can lids, plastic bags, or pool
floats — these are dangerous and you may lose control while you’re sledding. Also, never
use a sled that has any sharp, jagged edges or broken parts (this might happen if you’re
using an old sled).
(continued on next page)
(continued from front)
Asthma and Wood Smoke
by: Resa Bradeen, MD
As the holidays and colder weather approach, many families will gather around fireplaces and woodburning stoves to find warmth and spend time together. The winters in the Northwest can bring warm,
cozy evenings in front of fireplaces with fun, memorable family times. The heat will be welcome and
wood smoke may smell good, but smoke from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces is not good for you
and can be especially harmful to children and other family members with asthma.
Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gasses and small particles. Breathing these small particles
can cause asthma attacks, and long-term exposure can lead to reduced lung function. There are steps
one can take to minimize the exposure to these harmful microscopic particles.
How can you minimize these risks?
Before Burning:
• Burn only wood that has a moisture content of no more than 20% (wood that has been split and
then dried for 6 months to a year usually meets this requirement).
• Cover the firewood and store at least 6 inches off the ground to keep dry.
• Only use a vented, EPA certified wood burning stove. EPA certified stoves burn more cleanly
and efficiently, save money, reduce the risk of fire, and improve air quality inside and outside your
home.
• Make sure the doors fit closely, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for starting, burning,
and extinguishing the fire.
• Have your chimney inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary, to ensure it’s clear of
obstructions and creosote.
During Burning:
• Never burn wet, painted, stained or treated wood.
• Check what you burn. Garbage, plastics, rubber, paint, oil, etc. release harmful chemicals into the
air.
• Avoid using a chemical accelerant, like kerosene, to ignite the fire.
• Limit fire size. Burning a small, hot fire gives you more heat and less smoke.
• Don’t allow those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies to be exposed to a
fireplace or wood stove for too long.
• Consider using manufactured fire logs. They are a significantly cleaner alternative to burning fire
wood. They are made with renewable resources and produce approximately 70% less air pollution.
• Open your damper more if the smoke is dark. Dark smoke indicates more pollution is being
produced.
• Never burn a Christmas tree in the fireplace.
After Burning:
• Don’t close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning.
• Be sure to air out the room and dust and vacuum after using the fireplace.
• Clean out ashes from previous fires.
• Typical cleaning tools like rags, cotton mops are not best for removing the fine particles from a wood
stove. Microfiber cleaning cloths are better for removing dust and ash particles.
Remember to continue your child’s regular asthma medications. If he/she is having increased asthma
symptoms during the winter, consider smoke exposure as a possible contributing factor. Follow the
precautions above to increase ventilation and decrease exposure. Contact your pediatric provider if
your child is regularly needing increased doses of asthma medications.
It’s especially important to wear
gloves or mittens and boots while
you’re on the sled because in
addition to keeping you warm, they
can help prevent you from injuring
your hands and feet. Wearing a bike
helmet is also a good habit to get
into — doctors say it’s a great way
to protect your head while you’re
sledding.
When you’re picking your sledding
spot, it’s best to have an adult check
it first to make sure it’s OK. Hills
designated for sledding are always a
good bet — they can be safer than
private areas like backyards. (Having
an adult around while everyone is
sledding is a good idea, too.)
Make sure the hill isn’t too steep
and that it’s covered with packed
snow, not ice. The hill must not end
anywhere near cars on the road.
This is important. If it’s a new hill
you’re trying out and you’ve never
been to the bottom, you might
want to walk it first just to be sure.
Also, look for obstacles like trees,
bushes, and rocks that are covered
in snow. Sled only in daylight or in
well-lit areas.
If you’re sledding with a friend,
make sure that you don’t go over
the weight limit — look at the
label on the sled for the number of
pounds it will hold. If everybody
has his or her own sled and is taking
turns sledding down the hill, make
sure the person sledding before you
is well out of the way before you
take off.
And whether you’re on the sled by
yourself or with pals, you always
want to be sitting up, not lying
down. Lying flat puts your body at
greater risk for injuries if you lose
control and flip out. Finally, there is
only one kind of energy that’s right
for moving a sled: kid power! Never
ride on a sled that’s being pulled by
a car, truck, or snowmobile.
Anything else you need to know?
Yep — go out and enjoy the snow!
2014 Fun & Festive Holiday Events for your family to enjoy!
Resources
Don’t let the winter weather stop you!
Keep your kids playing & active during the winter
season – check out these great local play parks.
NOAH’S ARC INDOOR PLAY PARK
4300 Main Street • Vancouver, Washington * For ages 3 & under
Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) believes joy
matters! Think beyond cancer – CCA does not limit their
programs to cancer patients alone. CCA provides support
to ALL children diagnosed with serious illness &
their families. Through their innovative programs, CCA
prescribes joy to those who need it the most! If you know
a seriously ill child or to learn more about CCA’s programs,
please visit their website JoyRx.org
Children’s Cancer Association brings compassion and
joy during the holiday season to families who are emotionally
and financially struggling to care for a child with a serious
illness. Through this compassionate local community effort,
Oregon and SW Washington families are paired with an
individual or corporate sponsor who provides the family with
gifts, essential needs, and the ability to take a deep breath,
relax, and enjoy the holidays. This year, CCA is accepting
70 referrals from hospital partners and are hoping to match
a sponsor with each of these families to help make their
holidays special.
CCA invites you to participate in the experience of
sponsoring a family. To learn more about family
sponsorships , please contact Bev Tollefson, Link Program
Manager, at [email protected]
PLAYDATE PDX
1434 NW 17th Avenue • Portland, Oregon 97209
PLAY BOUTIQUE
464 1st Street • Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034
Harper’s Playground
2525 North Dekum Street • Portland, Oregon 97217
Harper’s Playground is a community playground designed to
provide more play for everyone! It is a fully accessible
playground for children of all ages and abilities. It was
founded by a family with a vision for their daughter, Harper,
who has a rare condition called Emanuel Syndrome. Harper’s
Playground was voted Family Favorite Park/Playground
Winner 2014 by Metro Parent. For more information go to
harpersplayground.org
OREGON CITY PEDIATRIC BUILDING
Ron Clarke, MD, LLC
Jo Anne Nielsen, MD, PC
James Resk, MD, PC
Troy Stoeber, MD LLC
14279 South Glen Oak Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
SUPER TOMATO SOUP
Fresh tomatoes are wonderful when they’re in season, but when they’re not,
canned are even better: they’re sweeter and less expensive, and cooking
tomatoes actually releases more of their lycopene, a type of nutrient called
an antioxidant that helps your cells stay healthy.
KITCHEN GEAR:
INSTRUCTIONS
Large heavy-bottomed pot
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Sharp knife (adult needed)
Cutting board
Spatula
Slotted spoon
Blender or food processor (adult needed)
Potholder
Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your
kitchen gear and ingredients and put them on a clean counter.
1. Put the pot on the stove, turn the heat to medium, and
carefully add the oil or butter.
2. After the butter has melted, add the onion, garlic, carrot,
celery, curry powder, and if you are using dried basil, the
basil. Cover the pot and cook the vegetables until they are
tender, about 10-15 minutes, using the spatula to stir them
occasionally.
3. Turn the heat to high and add the tomatoes and their juice,
the stock, and bring it to a boil.
4. Once the pot is boiling, lower the heat to low, and cook the
soup with the lid partially ajar for 1½ hours. Stir the soup
occasionally as it cooks to make sure it’s not sticking.
5. After 1½ hours, use the slotted spoon to remove the soup solids
very carefully and put them into a food processor or blender.
6. If you are using fresh basil, add it now. Gradually add the
broth and process or blend the solids until completely
smooth. Now use a spoon to taste the soup, and see if it
needs more curry or more basil or a little bit of salt.
7. Serve the soup right away, or store in a lidded container in
the refrigerator up to 3 days.
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon canola or olive oil or unsalted butter
1 large onion, coarsely chopped or thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, put through a garlic press or peeled
and minced
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 celery stalk, sliced
1⁄2 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon dried basil, or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh
1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
salt
NOTES
To make it creamy: use ½ cup less stock and in its place add
½ cup plain low-fat yogurt right before you serve the soup.
Recipe from Chop Chop Magazine