Talk to your kids to help them understand how they can be healthy, safe, and happy. Provide love and support: Kids need the support and love of family and friends.
Make safe and healthy choices every day to show kids how to do it. These include fastening seat belts, wearing helmets, applying sunscreen, brushing teeth, washing hands, forming healthy relationships, and more. Teach your kids healthy habits:Help your kids develop skills to make safe and healthy choices every day. Know how their schools promote health and safety.
Discourage TV viewing for children under 2 years of age, and limit TV viewing to no more than 2 hours per day for children 2 years and older.
Know who they spend time with, what they are doing, and whether their activities are age-appropriate. Monitor activities: Kids learn from family, friends, media, school, and more. Quitting smoking is the single best way to protect your family. You can help protect your children by making your home and vehicles smoke-free. Stay smoke-free to help lower your children’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), bronchitis, more severe asthma, ear problems, and pneumonia. Be smoke-free during pregnancy to help prevent premature birth and other health problems. Live a smoke-free life: Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are harmful to you and your family. Find fun, safe, and active things you can do with your kids to help keep the whole family healthy. Include activities that raise their breathing and heart rates and that strengthen their muscles and bones. Keep your kids active: Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day. You’ll help them stay on track and may uncover problems of which you were unaware. Pay attention to what and how much they eat. As children grow, help them choose healthy meals and snacks. Provide healthy meals and snacks: Eating right will help provide the nutrients needed to have energy, build strong bones, and fight diseases and conditions. Ask a trusted friend or family member to watch your kids if you feel yourself losing control and need a break. Be aware of signs of maltreatment, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Keep harmful substances and objects out of children’s reach. Use car seats and seat belts for appropriate ages and sizes.
Protect your kids: Take steps to make sure your home, car, school, and other areas are safe. Keep track of your and your family’s check-ups and vaccinations to make sure they stay current. Vaccinations help prevent many diseases and save lives.
Get check-ups and vaccinations: Routine check-ups, including dental and eye exams, help identify ways to stay healthy, provide the opportunity to receive preventive services, and help find health problems early, when chances for treatment are better.
The earlier you recognize a delay, the more you can do to help your kids reach their full potential. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem. Know the signs of child development: As your kids grow, they should reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, and act. Make sure any health conditions you have are under control and that you are up-to-date on your vaccinations. Know your family’s health history to see if you and your baby are at higher risk for certain diseases and conditions.
Plan a healthy pregnancy: Take folic acid and avoid drinking alcohol to help prevent certain birth defects and disabilities. Parents: Tips for Raising Safe and Healthy Kids