HEART DISEASE AND STROKE PREVENTION PROGRAM
GOLD MEDAL SCHOOLS
Parents
Family Preparing Meal
Family Preparing Meal 2
 


Family Preparing Meal 3

Water Activities
Temperatures are climbing and kids are ready to make a “splash” into summer. It doesn’t matter if you are swimming in a pool, running through sprinklers, or playing in a fountain water is a fun summer activity. For fun water game ideas look at this “Fun Water Games” document.

Last year in Utah drowning was the 4th leading cause of death. 11 children under age 18 died due to drowning (6 deaths ages 0-14, 5 deaths 15-18). The two most common drowning scenarios were that of an under-supervised young child wandering off and that of a teen male swimming with friends at a reservoir or lake. Here are some things you can do to prevent water accidents from happening,

  • Watch young children while they are playing with water
  • Swim with a buddy
  • Learn CPR
  • Use lifejackets instead of “water wings” or “noodles”
  • Know local weather conditions
  • Remove toys from pools and close covers when you are finished

For more information on how you can prevent water injuries from happening to you or your family visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.

 
   
Walking Trails
Utah has an amazing amount of walking trails, hikes, and other adventures to go out and explore. Research some of the trails and hikes in your area and take your family on an adventure. Visit the following Web sites to find trails, hikes, National Parks, detailed maps, and other information. Remember your sunscreen and water!
www.utah.com/hike
www.trails.com
www.go-utah.com/hiking

 
   

Healthy Picnics
Here are a couple of links with ideas and safety information to have fun, healthy picnics.

For ideas on healthier choices:
/www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/healthy-picnic

For food safety information:
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/pubs/picnic.html

 
   
Sunscreen Q & A
Spring has arrived and with it the urge to go outside and play. As more of us head to the outdoors it is important to remember to wear sunscreen, this will help us enjoy the weather in a safe way. To learn more about sunscreen visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/chooseyourcover/qanda.htm#rub_it_on.

 
   

Fruit Smoothie
½ medium banana, peeled and sliced
1 cup unsweetened frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, and/or blackberries)
½ cup low fat (1%) milk or soft tofu
½ cup 100% orange juice

Place all ingredients in a blender container. Cover tightly. Blend until smooth. If mixture is too thick, add ½ cup cold water and blend again. Pour into 2 glasses and serve.

For more great recipes, you can visit Fruits and Veggies – More Matters Web site.

 
   
Get Active
Summer is almost here and it is a great time to be outside. Here are some ideas you can suggest to your family to have fun and be active:
  • Go for a family walk or bike ride after dinner
  • Spend an afternoon roller-skating
  • Participate as a family in a fun run/walk or car wash
  • Visit your community recreation center as a family
  • Teach your kids new sports to play or practice ones they love
For more ideas of fun games to play visit the following Web site.
www.familycorner.com/cgi-bin/sefer.cgi?Outdoor:Activities:&:Fun:-:Warm:Weather

 
   

Street Safety
It is getting warmer and that means more kids will be playing outside.  Take a few minutes to talk to your kids about street safety and how they can keep safe.  For pedestrian and motorist safety tips visit the Violence and Injury Prevention Programs Web site.

 
   

Biker Safety
Each year in Utah approximately 6 bicyclists are killed and 850 are involved in crashes with motor vehicles. Head injury is the most common serious injury from bicycle-motor vehicle crashes. Bicycle Helmets can reduce head injury by as much as 85%. In a statewide observational survey only 23% of elementary school aged bicyclists and 14% of secondary school aged bicyclists wear a helmet. To stay safe while riding your bicycle this spring remember these rules of the road

  • Always wear a helmet
  • Obey all traffic signs and signals
  • Ride in a straight line. Don’t swerve from side to side.
  • Use hand signals to let other road users know what you are doing
  • If you are riding at night wear a head lamp, rear reflector, or safety vest that can be seen from 500 feet
  • Yield to pedestrians
For more information on bicycle safety go to health.utah.gov/vipp/bicycleSafety/overview.html.
 
   
You Did It! is full of ideas for parents and teachers to motivate kids without using food. It is divided into sections for the classroom and home, and for older and younger children, so that ideas can easily be identified for the appropriate setting.  
   
 
PTAIntermountain