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Home > Consumer Focus Archive > Grandparents Rasing Grandchildren
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Consumer Focus: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Many older Americans
approaching or in retirement find themselves caring for and raising their
grandchildren. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2000 there were over 4.5
million children (under 18 years of age) living in homes maintained by their
grandparents. The number of children in grandparent-headed households has
increased by 30% since 1990. While the majority of grandparents raising
grandchildren are between ages 55 and 64, 20% to 25% are over age 65. So even
if you're not the full-time caregiver, be prepared by learning more
about:
Posted: February 1, 2003
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Health
Immunizations
It is important that
children get their shots at the right times to prevent diseases that can cause
serious health problems and, possibly, permanent damage. By age two, your
grandchildren should get shots for all the major childhood diseases. You will
need to keep a record of immunizations to prove they are up to date so they
will be allowed to enter child care or school, as well as when they will need
their next round of shots. To help you keep track, the 2003 Childhood
and Adolescent Immunization and Catch-Up
schedules are available on the CDC's National Immunization Program
website.
Nutrition
Good nutrition is
important - those who don't eat well or are hungry are more tired and have
difficulty thinking and learning. Use the Dietary
Guidelines or information in the Food Guide Pyramid
for information on daily calorie intake, recommended daily allowances for
vitamins and other minerals, serving sizes, and more. Try these tips to help
your grandchild eat healthier:
- MyPyramid.gov for Kids
Children enjoy helping in the kitchen and are more likely to eat foods they
help prepare.
- Bake or broil
foods instead of frying.
- When shopping,
ask your grandchild to choose a new fruit or vegetable and then invite them to
help you wash and prepare the food.
- Encourage your
grandchild to invent a new snack or sandwich from some healthful ingredients
you provide.
Lead
Poisoning
Your grandchildren
can get lead poisoning when they eat paint chips or flakes, breathe paint dust,
or drink water from old lead water pipes. The biggest source of lead in the
home is lead-based paint used in walls, floors, and radiators in some older
homes. Lead poisoning
can cause brain damage, hearing loss, or developmental disabilities. To reduce
your grandchildren's exposure to lead, get them tested, have your home tested
(especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before
1978), and fix any hazards you may have. Here are some steps to protect your
family from lead
hazards:
- Keep play areas
clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals
regularly.
- Clean up paint
chips immediately. Use a mop or sponge with warm water and an all-purpose
cleaner for cleaning floors, windowsills and other surfaces. Never mix ammonia
and bleach products together since they can form a dangerous gas.
- Clean or remove
shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from
soil.
- Prepare
nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium (such as spinach and dairy
products). Children with good diets absorb less lead.
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Safety
Childproofing
Your Home
Grandchildren are
most vulnerable to accidents when they are under five but many incidents can be
prevented. There are a variety of things you can do (like the installation of
child
safety devices) to keep your grandchildren safe while they are in your
home.
- Kitchen
dangers include burns and access to dangerous items stored in cabinets or
drawers.
- Install safety
latches on cabinets and drawers to safeguard household cleaning supplies and
sharp objects such as knives.
- Keep appliance
cords from dangling over the edge of the counter.
- Bathroom
dangers can include falls, drowning, and accidental poisoning from
medications.
- Installing
anti-scald devices for regulating water temperature can help prevent burns, or
set water temperature on the water heater at 120 degrees F.
- Apply non-skid
strips to the floor of the bathtub or shower, use non-skid rugs, and install a
toilet-locking device. Remember - it takes only two inches of water for a young
child to drown, so never leave a child unattended in the bathroom.
- Safety latches
and locks on cabinets can help prevent children from gaining access to
medicines - it is also important to use childproof caps on medicines if
possible.
- Living Area
dangers involve falls against hard furniture, access to electrical outlets,
and, for living space on upper floors, falls from windows.
- Use child gates
to block access to stairways or rooms that have hazards in them.
- Place tables or
chairs away from windows or install childproof window latches. Tie window shade
or mini-blind cords up so they are out of the reach of children as they present
a choking hazard.
- Corner and edge
bumpers can be used on hard or sharp edges of furniture.
- Outlet covers
and plates can help protect children from electrical shock and possible
electrocution.
* Smoke
Detectors are essential safety devices for protection against fire
deaths and injuries. A carbon
monoxide (CO) detector can help prevent CO poisoning. Consumers should
install CO detectors near sleeping areas in their homes.
Toy
Tips
Be a cautious shopper
when buying toys for your grandchildren. Make sure the toys you are buying are
age-appropriate and match the child's interests and ability levels. Here are
some steps to fun and
safe play:
- Be especially
careful when choosing toys for children under three. Select toys that are free
of small pieces and hanging cords or strings, are lightweight, have no sharp
edges or points, and are non-toxic.
- Test the toy to
determine if it will be too loud for children since toys with loud or shrill
sounds can frighten babies and very young children, and can also damage
hearing.
- Carefully read
instructions for assembly and use. Always remove and throw away all packaging
from a toy before giving it to a baby or small child.
- Check toys every
few months to determine their safety. Make any repairs immediately or throw
away damaged toys.
- Store toys
properly and safely. Toy boxes should have air holes and lids that stay open by
themselves.
- Supervise
children when they play and set good examples of safe play.
Outdoor
Activities
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Playgrounds can have hazards that can contribute to serious injuries.
Check that the ground underneath play equipment is soft enough to cushion
falls. Look for sharp points or edges, or protruding bolt ends which can cut
children. Beware of tripping hazards such as tree roots, rocks or other unlevel
surfaces that can cause both kids and adults to fall.
- Avoid using
clothes with drawstrings - stringed items around the neck can catch on pieces
of equipment and cause strangulation.
- Bicycles are associated with more
childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile. More
than 70% of children ages 5 to 14 ride bicycles and this age group accounts for
more than 5% of all bicycle-related injuries. A bicycle helmet is a necessity,
not an accessory. It should fit comfortably and snugly, but not too tightly.
Help your grandchild learn the rules of the road and to obey all traffic laws.
Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against. Cycling should
be restricted to sidewalks and paths until a child is at least age 10 and able
to show that he or she rides well and observes the basic rules of the
road.
* Safety gear,
such as helmets or elbow and knee pads, should be given along with sports
related gifts, such as skates or bicycles.
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Other Resources
This is just a brief
overview. For more information on grandparents raising grandchildren check out
these resources. Read
these publications online or order them from FCIC:
Websites*:
* Names of
resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as
examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the
Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a
particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or
imply that it is unsatisfactory.
*If you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please
bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible
for the content of these websites.
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