Playgrounds can be wonderful places for families to exercise and play. They are also the source of hundreds of thousands of emergency visits to the emergency department for preschool and elementary aged children. (Between 2001 - 2008, an average of 218, 851 preschool and elementary children received emergency department care for injuries that occurred on playground equipment. Forty deaths were associated with playgrounds.) Fortunately, many of these injuries are preventable by following these safety tips.

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in the environment. It does not have a particular taste or smell. Human bodies do not need lead. When a person is exposed to lead by eating, drinking or breathing contaminated particles, it can be absorbed into the body. This can potentially cause health problems, especially with the brain, nervous systems and kidneys. Children, infants and fetuses are at especially high risk.

Risk for Injury

More than 235,000 adults and 17,000 children in the U.S. were injured by lawn mowers in 2010, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Boys sustain 80% of lawnmower injuries, which most often occur on the arms or the hands.

Riding lawn mowers cause more injuries each year than push mowers, because they tip and roll over, placing a child at risk of being run over and severely injured.

Preventing Lawnmower Injuries

What are the key steps to a healthy weight?

Make Wise Food Choices

Follow the Food Guide Pyramid to make wise food choices, including the following: 

What Is HIV?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. In the U.S., about 1.2 million people are living with HIV or AIDS. Of those people, about 250,000 have HIV but don 't know it. This year, about 40,000 new people will become infected with HIV in the U.S.

How Do People Get HIV?

HIV can be passed from persons with the HIV virus through:

• Blood
• Semen
• Vaginal secretions
• Breast milk

HIV is spread through:

Winter Sports Injury Prevention Tips:  Skating

Ice skating is a fun winter activity, and also a great exercise! The National Safety Council offers these tips to help you and your family enjoy safe skating.

Condoms are sheaths of thin latex or plastic worn on the penis during sex. Condoms collect semen ("cum") before, during and after a man ejaculates ("cums").

Why Use a Condom?

If used correctly, condoms are the cheapest, easiest and best way to protect against sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs) and pregnancy. Condoms should be used correctly during oral sex (blow jobs), anal sex and vaginal sex. If used correctly, condoms are 98% effective at preventing STIs/STDs and pregnancy.

Talking with Your Parents about Your Sexual Decisions

The decisions you are making about your sexual behavior are an important part of becoming an adult. You may be asking yourself some questions:

Using your fireplace, wood stove or other fuel-fired devices can be a great way to provide heat and comfort during the cold winter months. Before you use your device, it is important to follow a few basic safety steps to avoid a dangerous situation.

Wear A Helmet!

The best way to reduce injury from bicycle crashes and outdoor recreation is by wearing a helmet.

Children should always wear a helmet for all wheeled sports activities. A properly-fitted bike helmet is just as effective when riding a scooter, roller skating or inline skating. However, when skateboarding and long boarding, make sure your child wears a skateboarding helmet.

Make it a Rule: Every time you and your child ride, wear a helmet. If your child is reluctant to wear a helmet, try letting him or her choose his or her own.