Algonquin Pediatrics - "We treat our patients like our own children."


	Volume 11, Issue 10


OCTOBER 2009

    Does your child love to
   draw? Well we'd like to
   showcase their work in
   our Arlington Heights
   office. Bring in your
   child's artwork to

We understand many people are
concerned about the novel H1N1

	swine flu virus. This is why we’ve posted updates from the CDC, which are available to you 24 / 7, via our website. As a H1N1 swine flu vaccine is currently being developed, we are waiting for instructions from the federal government as to how the vaccine will be distributed. We will advise you as soon as information becomes available.

	either location at your next visit or mail it to the following address: Arlington Pediatrics, Ltd. 3325 N. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 100A Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are
some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

    All Dressed Up:
    - Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short
      enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
    - Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
    - Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer
      alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
    - If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child
      may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.

    Carving A Niche:
    - Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with
      markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
    - Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.
    - Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains
      and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

    Home Safe Home:
    - To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from
      the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses,
      toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
    - Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

	- Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater. Healthy Halloween: - A good meal prior to trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats. - Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pencils. - Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. For more information on Halloween safety tips, please visit the AAP website by clicking here.

At APL, no question is too silly and remember the first five-thousand are free.

     Each year, more than 4,000 Americans die and approximately 20,000 are
     injured in fires, many of which could be prevented. Sixty-three percent of
     reported home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or with
     smoke alarms that were nonfunctional. Practicing a fire escape plan and
     fire-safe behaviors on a regular basis can mean the difference between life
     and death. Below are some tips to keep your family safe.

     Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet. They are the
     leading cause of fire deaths in children. Never underestimate your child’s

	curiosity about fire, or their ability to strike a match or start a lighter. If your child is curious about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly and firmly explain that matches and lighters are not a toy and are for adult use only. Having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside of sleeping areas. Test the smoke alarm each month and replace the battery at least once a year. Replace the smoke alarm every ten years, or as recommended by the manufacturer. As soon as you children are old enough to understand, familiarize them with the sound of your smoke alarm. Develop a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room. Practice feeling your way out with your eyes closed. Show your children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke. Escape first, then call for help. NEVER return to a burning building for any reason! Teach your children the nature of fire. It is FAST, HOT, DARK and DEADLY! Teach them not to hide from firefighters. Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire. Teach them to never open doors that are hot to the touch. For more information on fire safety, and how to set up your own fire escape plan, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s website at www.usfa.dhs.gov

We have made it easy for you by centralizing calls for both offices. To make an appointment, talk to a nurse or to contact a physician, dial our main office number. (847) 398-0400 Main Number (847) 398-9590 Fax algonquinpediatrics.com arlingtonpediatrics.com

   Last week we sent our patient
   families an online survey to rate
   the quality of service at APL.

   We have had a great number
   of parents fill out the survey
   thus far. If you have yet to get

	the chance to complete the survey, you may do so by clicking here. We would like to thank you in advance for your time and participation. We look forward to reviewing your feedback.

Our motto: "We treat our patients like our own children and grandchildren."

^ Top of Page