Preventing Coughs Protects Kids From Medicine Risks

(NewsUSA) - When conditions outside become wet and cold, the conditions inside the home become warm and dry. We have all experienced itchy skin and dry noses and throats, but most people don't realize that dry air makes people more susceptible to winter colds and airborne infections, which thrive in lower humidity conditions.

However, the Food and Drug Administration warned against administering cough and cold medicine to young children. The FDA began investigating medicines that are labeled for children when the health commissioner from Baltimore found "hundreds of cases of potential overdose and four deaths related potentially to these products."

Many companies began taking medicines geared toward infants and toddlers off the market, but many medicines remain on store shelves, forcing parents to decide whether children's cough syrup is helpful or harmful.

One way to help prevent winter colds and airborne infections from the get-go is to control the indoor relative humidity with the use of a whole-home humidifier, like the ones offered by Aprilaire. A whole-home automatic humidifier can safely and effectively achieve proper humidity levels throughout the entire home with its advanced computer technology, which continually adjusts the indoor humidity. This allows homeowners to control humidity effortlessly at the levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. Unlike a portable humidifier, a whole-home humidifier is virtually maintenance-free and doesn't require harsh chemicals.

Here are some other tips to help children avoid colds:

- Wash small hands frequently. Tell children to use warm water and soap and to sing "Happy Birthday" before they finish scrubbing.

- Carry hand-sanitizer or wipes. Have children clean their hands before eating a snack.

- Make sure kids get their vitamins. Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables boost young immune systems, so children become ill less often.

For more information on whole-home humidifiers, log on to www.aprilaire.com or call 1-800-545-2219.

"Article By: NewsUSA"