According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 percent of children 5-17 missed at least one day of school in the past 12 months due to injury or illness. Missed school days disrupt education and can mean missed work days for Mom or Dad.
The No. 1 weapon against the spread of germs at school and at home is handwashing. Proper handwashing involves soap and warm water, and a good 20 seconds of vigorous rubbing before rinsing and drying, according to the Mayo Clinic. But if your child does catch a cold, there are several new products on the market this season to help relieve symptoms.
- Sippy Sure - This revolutionary sippy cup has a hidden chamber that dispenses liquid medicine along with your child's favorite drink. When the medicine chamber is empty, the liquid flow slows down so your child will likely complain he isn't getting his drink. You can then clandestinely remove the medicine chamber and give it back to him, all fixed! That way you know it all went down the hatch.
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- Cold-EEZE oral spray - Now instead of a lozenge, which presents a choking hazard, you can deliver the cold-fighting power of zinc gluconate in a few squirts. Zinc gluconate has been shown in clinical studies to reduce the length and severity of the common cold. Check with your child's physician before administering.
- Chloraseptic Sore Throat Lollipops - Ever wish you could give your child a cough drop but afraid she will swallow it or choke? The Chloraseptic pops are a new weapon to add to your sore-throat arsenal. They deliver a safe dose of benzocaine, an oral anesthetic and analgeseic, in the form of a lollipop that looks and tastes just like a Dum-Dum; they have no menthol or mediciny taste. NOTE: They are still considered a choking hazard for children 3 and under.
- Boogie Wipes - OK, these aren't new, but they are worth mentioning again. These saline solution-soaked towelettes are great for giving little noses a cleansing wipe without having to spray anything up their noses (a wrestling match for many). Plus they are better for delicate skin than plain tissues. What IS new, is they now make them for adults, called Saline Soothers, in case pulling a package of Boogie Wipes out of your purse would damage your ego (if you still have one).
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To enter, send an email to editor@ovparen.com with "Cold products" in the subject line and your name, address and phone number in the email body. Drawing is Nov. 30.
