Peninsula Pediatrics

Category: Parenting Tips

Space Heater, Fireplace, and Carbon Monoxide Safety

Posted on by Splash Creative

Quick answer: Space heaters and fireplaces keep homes warm in winter but carry serious risks: burns, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so install detectors on every level near bedrooms, test them monthly, and change batteries yearly. If an alarm sounds, get everyone outside immediately and call 911.

As temperatures drop in the winter months, many families rely on space heaters or cozy fireplaces to keep the house warm. While these heat sources can be comforting, they also come with safety risks that families should be aware of. Burns, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning are all serious dangers that can be prevented with proper precautions. Knowing how to use heating equipment safely will help ensure your family stays warm and safe.    Understanding Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete burning of fuels such as gas, oil, wood, and coal. Common household sources include furnaces, fireplaces, space heaters, and gas stoves. Because carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, it can build up quickly and quietly in enclosed spaces, posing a serious risk to children and adults alike. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or death. Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies use oxygen more rapidly than adults.  To protect your home, install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your place, especially near bedrooms. Test the detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. If an alarm goes off, get everyone outside immediately and call 911. Never ignore a carbon monoxide alarm, even if symptoms seem mild.   Safe Use of Space Heaters  Portable space heaters can be useful for heating a single room or supplementing your home’s heating system, but they’re also a leading cause of home fires if used improperly. It’s important to place space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including furniture, curtains, bedding, and clothing. Never put a space heater on top of furniture or near flammable materials. Additionally, you’ll want to choose a heater with a tip-over switch that automatically shuts off if it falls, and look for models with overheat protection. Always plug heaters directly into wall outlets rather than extension cords or power strips, which can overheat and spark. Turn off space heaters when you leave a room or go to sleep. Most space heater fires occur when the unit is left unattended or placed too close to combustible materials. Children are naturally curious and may not understand the danger a heater can pose. Teach your child that space heaters are not toys and should not be touched. Create a “no-go” zone around the heater and think of it as a safety bubble that no one should enter while the heater is running.   Fireplace Safety  Fireplaces also help warm your home, but they require careful handling to prevent burns and fire hazards. Teach your children to stay at least three feet away from the fire and install sturdy safety screens or glass doors to prevent sparks and embers from escaping. Before lighting a fire, have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional. Creosote, a sticky substance that builds up inside chimneys, can catch fire if it’s not removed regularly. Also, consider using a fireplace grate to keep logs from rolling out into the room, and never leave a fire unattended. Gas fireplaces should have properly functioning safety controls and a clear, unobstructed venting system. Some gas fireplaces can emit small amounts of carbon monoxide, especially if they are not properly adjusted or vented. Again, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential in rooms with any fuel-burning appliance.   Everyday Habits That Ensure Safety  Whether you’re using a space heater, fireplace, or the main heating system, there are shared habits that make your home safer in cold weather. First, make sure all fuel-burning equipment is installed and maintained according to manufacturer instructions and local building codes. Have your furnace, chimney, and other heating systems inspected annually by a professional. Keep flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint thinner, or aerosol sprays far away from heat sources. Don’t dry clothes, papers, or other items near space heaters or fireplace embers, and avoid hanging stockings or decorations too close to open flames or hot surfaces. Also, make sure to teach your children basic fire safety, like how to stop, drop, and roll, and how to safely exit the house in case of a fire. Practice fire drills at home so everyone knows what to do if there’s smoke or fire, and make sure your family has an agreed-upon meeting place outside. If you have questions about home heating safety, carbon monoxide risks, or how to protect your children from burns and fires during cold weather, please call our office. We’re here to help your family stay safe, warm, and healthy all year long!

Frequently asked questions

What is carbon monoxide and why is it dangerous?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete burning of fuels like gas, oil, wood, and coal. Because it cannot be seen or smelled, it can build up quickly in enclosed spaces. Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies use oxygen more rapidly than adults.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases loss of consciousness or death.

Where should carbon monoxide detectors go?

Install detectors on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. If an alarm goes off, get everyone outside immediately and call 911.

Related reading: Spring Safety for Children, contact our office. Peninsula Pediatrics proudly cares for families across the Rockaways.

Holiday Stress in Kids

Posted on by Splash Creative

The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy, festivities, and family celebrations. But for many kids, these few weeks can bring unexpected challenges. Between changes in routine, travel, social events, and sensory overload, what’s meant to be a cheerful time can sometimes lead to anxiety, overstimulation, or a meltdown. We have some tips to ease the holiday stress and help children adapt and cope with anxiety or difficult emotions. 

One of the challenges that children face during the holidays is the disruption in common routines. Kids thrive on predictability, such as regular bedtimes, meal times, and common daily activities. Yet during the holidays, parties might run late and affect sleep schedules, meals are irregular or bigger than usual, and the day-to-day routine that helps children feel secure can get turned upside down. We recommend maintaining usual sleep and mealtime routines whenever possible, and if there is a disruption, help kids get back on track the following day. Even during busy periods, holding onto at least some structure gives children a sense of safety and helps regulate mood and energy. 

Sensory overload is another common trigger for holiday stress. Holiday environments often bring bright lights, lots of noise, crowded gatherings, strong smells (food, candles, and fireplaces), and a lot of activity. For kids, especially younger children or those who are more sensitive, these changes can quickly become overwhelming. Restless nights, frequent irritability, sudden crying or tantrums, or withdrawal from activities could all be signals that the holiday bustle is too much. Kids may need extra support to help them adjust and recharge. Help your child find a calm and quiet place to retreat to when they’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s also good to discuss what to expect in advance and talk to guests and relatives about any needs your child might have to feel comfortable. 

Travel and visiting family or friends can also add more stress. Long car rides, changes in environment, unfamiliar sleeping arrangements, and busy days can make kids feel disoriented. Keep in mind that it’s ok to be selective about holiday commitments. It’s usually best to choose a few meaningful events rather than trying to do everything. Overloading the calendar can lead to burnout in kids and adults alike. Quality over quantity helps preserve energy and mood for everyone. You’ll also want to share ahead about what events will be like, mention who will be there, how long you’ll stay, and that it’s okay if they don’t stay the full time. Giving kids some sense of control helps reduce anxiety. Food and treats at gatherings can be another challenge. Kids may be tempted to overeat, skip balanced meals, or have disrupted eating routines, all of which can affect mood, energy levels, and even their sense of routine. While it’s normal for kids to enjoy holiday treats, it’s important to look out for overindulgence. Keep meals balanced and encourage your kids to drink plenty of water and maintain physical activity.

Make sure to also build in downtime for your kids. After a big event or a family visit, having the space to rest or do quiet activities like reading, coloring, listening to music, or watching a movie can help kids with overstimulation and prevent meltdowns. Watch out for big feelings and normalize them for your child. If your kid seems anxious, sad, overwhelmed, or unusually moody, don’t dismiss it as “holiday fuss.” Let them know their feelings are valid and that it’s okay to feel tired or overwhelmed. Offer extra emotional support as some kids just need a hug, a quiet room, or a chance to rest. 

Holidays can be fun and festive, but they can also be stressful, especially for children whose world often depends on routine and consistency. With a little planning, compassion, and flexibility, you can help your kids enjoy the season while still feeling safe, calm, and emotionally supported. Sometimes the best holiday gift you can give your children is your attention, presence, and peace. If you have any concerns about how your child is handling the season, whether it’s big emotions, trouble sleeping, or being overwhelmed, please call our office. Our pediatrician is here to support your family and we’re here to help! 

Gratitude and Mental Health: Helping Children Practice Thankfulness

Posted on by Splash Creative

In our busy lives, it can be easy to overlook the small things, but teaching kids gratitude is more than just good manners. It’s an effective way to support their mental health, build resilience, and help them develop a positive outlook on life. As parents, we can guide them toward noticing, appreciating, and expressing thankfulness in ways that really matter. Daily gratitude practice has been linked with better sleep, fewer aches and pains, and a more positive mindset.

Teaching thankfulness to kids can begin as early as the toddler and preschooler years. During this time, kids are naturally focused on themselves, but with simple guidance, they can start understanding the idea of being grateful. Some concepts to start with include encouraging your child to say “thank you” when someone helps them, telling your child why you are thankful for them (for example, “I appreciate how you helped your sibling tie their shoes”), and sharing aloud what you’re grateful for as a family. Participating in small acts of kindness, like donating toys or helping a neighbor, can help them connect gratitude with empathy and service. Consistency is key. Gratitude is a habit and not a one-time lesson. Reinforcing thankfulness in everyday life helps children internalize that thankfulness is part of how they treat themselves and others.

As kids get older, you’ll want to continue instilling habits that encourage thankfulness. Some ways to do this include: 

  1. Talk about things you’re grateful for each day, even the small things. You might want to consider having a family gratitude jar where you leave a collection of notes, each expressing something you’re thankful for. It’s also helpful to make it a bedtime habit. Before the lights go out, ask your child to name a few things they’re grateful for that day. Even when things are tough, finding something positive helps end the day on a good note and can improve mental health. 
  1. Celebrate kindness by helping others. Involving your kids in volunteer activities, like charity drives and helping a neighbor, helps them feel a sense of purpose and a link between giving and gratitude. It’s also a great way for them to grow their skills.
  2. Model gratitude through behavior and not just words. Thank your child for everyday things like helping or sharing.
  1. Highlight generosity. Notice when others go out of their way to help and point it out to your child to reinforce kindness. You’ll also want to do the same for your kids. Give them credit when you notice them doing an act of kindness. Showing your appreciation will encourage them to do the same.
  1. Make practicing gratitude a fun experience for your children. There are so many ways to practice it, and you can help your child find their own unique way. Whether it’s writing thank you notes and cards, drawing a picture, or baking cupcakes for someone, talk to your child about what activity to express thankfulness would make them feel good.

When we practice gratitude, we improve our own well-being and mental health, develop a more optimistic outlook, reduce stress, and build stronger relationships. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s emotions, stress, or mental wellness, please call our office and talk to our pediatrician.