Health and Safety Information

An informed parent can make better decisions about their child's care. Learn about the latest topics in children's health.

Our Latest Posts on Children and Teens Health Topics

Safety Concerns with Hoverboards

March 28, 2016 – ​The recent holiday season’s most popular toy, the hoverboard, is causing concern among the medical experts at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. 

Mosquito-borne Diseases and Mosquito Prevention

February 04, 2016 – Mosquito bites can be harmful in several ways. The most common complication of these bites occur in the form of allergic reactions of the bite site and infections related to scratching. However, mosquito bites can also result in the transmission of life threatening conditions such as encephalitis, and birth defects such as microcephaly.

Healthy Tips for Kids Infographic

June 25, 2015

Healthy, happy kids grow up to be healthy, happy adults. It’s a parent’s responsibility to instill good habits early on. Read on for more healthy tips for kids about eating nutritiously, spending time outdoors, clocking enough sleep, limiting screen time and staying fit and active from childhood to adolescence and beyond.

Outdoor Sports Safety Tips

June 01, 2015 – Many children play soccer, football, field hockey or lacrosse starting from an early age. Injuries occurring in these types of outdoor field sports are easy to sustain. It is important that parents advise children on the proper gear and way to play in order to prevent injuries from occurring.

Winter Sports Safety Tips

June 01, 2015 – Skiing down a snow-covered slope with the wind in your face and tranquil mountain scenery all around – there’s a lot to love about winter sports. However, skiing can also pose some inherent risks, such as frostbite, sunburn and knee and head injuries.

What to Know About Ebola

March 25, 2015 – Ebola is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains.

Enterovirus Awareness and Planning

March 17, 2015 – What Parents Need to Know About Enterovirus D68

Florida Residents Urged to Get Vaccinated Against Measles

February 02, 2015 – It's important all Floridians make sure they have received the measles vaccination because those who are fully immunized have very little risk of developing the disease.

Sugar Intake in Kids Infographic

January 04, 2015 – It's no secret that kids love sugar. What's unclear is just how detrimental the sweet stuff is to your child’s health. Recent studies have found that sugar has the same effect on the brain as certain addictive drugs. The experts at Nicklaus Children's Hospital take a closer look at the harmful effect too much sugar can have on the body.

Youth Sports Injury Prevention Infographic

June 03, 2014 – Are your kids playing it safe? Helping children lead physically active lifestyles is essential to their health. Explore Nicklaus Children's Hospital's best tips for keeping young athletes safe and active.

Navigating the Teen Years - A Parental Survival Guide

November 14, 2013 – “Adolescence is often the period in a child’s life when he or she begins to separate from his parents and develop his own identity,” says Lorena Siqueira, MD, Adolescent Medical Director at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. “The child’s effort to become more independent can be a difficult time for the whole family.”

Basic Oral Hygiene

November 03, 2013 – Although tooth decay is preventable, it is the most common chronic disease among US children.

Body Piercing

November 03, 2013 – Piercing is an invasive, permanent process which can lead to infections at the site of your piercing as well as more serious infections like Hepatitis B. There are a few things you need to consider before you make this decision to make sure you are happy with your piercing and that you stay safe.

Breathing Easier about Asthma

November 03, 2013 – Asthma is one of the most common childhood illnesses. As many as 5 million children in the U.S. suffer from this chronic condition that affects the lungs and airways.

Calcium and Your Teen - Why Milk Matters

November 03, 2013 – Calcium is the main mineral that strengthens bones and this is most important during adolescence when teens are going through their growth spurt. Almost half of the bone mass a teen will have for the rest of his life is made during adolescence.

Cherishing Your Child’s ‘Chompers’(Teeth!)

November 03, 2013 – Teeth. They help your child eat, speak and flash the sweetest smiles.

Common Questions About Breast Development

November 03, 2013 – Breast development is the first sign of puberty in the majority of adolescent females. This can occur as early as age 8 years.

Fiber - What's the Deal?

November 03, 2013 – Fiber is the term used to describe carbohydrates that cannot be digested and therefore cannot be absorbed by the human intestinal tract.

Helping Kids Avoid Kidney Stones

November 03, 2013 – Most parents don’t realize that children can develop kidney stones at a young age. However, changes to family diets have led to an increase in this serious condition – which has been seen in children as young as age 5.

Helping Your Teen Become A Safe Driver

November 03, 2013 – According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), teenagers account for only 7% of the driving population but are involved in 14% of fatal car crashes. Motor vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of death and injury for people ages 15-19.