Your Kids

Back to school means new friends, new routines, and often a long list of supplies. Want to earn an A+ when it comes to protecting your student's health? Look for these safer options to help reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals.

Have you ever walked into your child’s classroom and noticed a musty odor, a strong cleaner smell or fragrance? Does your child complain of headaches in class when kids are using dry erase markers at their desks? These are clues to indoor air quality (IAQ) issues at school. If the air inside is unhealthy, health problems can result such as fatigue, headaches, asthma episodes and allergic reactions.

With warming soil temperatures and last frost, the month of April shouts garden time! Children can be helpful garden companions and there is much in the garden to delight them and you.

Don’t let reports of toxic chemicals in face paint and costumes frighten away your fun on Halloween. Follow these easy tips to make sure the only thing scaring you and your kids are ghosts and goblins!

It is a sad reality that our environment puts a lot of hurdles in the way of young children. Exposure to toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products is one of these hurdles that may impair kids’ ability to learn and reach developmental milestones.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers, especially pregnant women and young children, to avoid kids’ products, electronics, mattresses, and home furniture that contain certain toxic flame retardants, known as organohalogens.

Read about choosing safer mattresses and changing pads.

Which dry erase markers are the safest? How toxic are the fumes? What are the safest adhesives for children to use? Do crayons contain lead? Are crayons non-toxic? What art products are acceptable for children to use?

Read about choosing safer art and craft supplies.