Nixon School Nixon School Home Page Nixon PTO Home Page
Gazette Health QuickLinks School Advisory Council (SAC) Formerly the Weekly Notices

Medical and Safety Information

Anne Chabot, R.N.   
  Anne_Chabot@sudbury.k12.ma.us 
Kids snoring could signal a medical condition. Snoring in children may be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea, a common but under diagnosed conditions that has been linked to learning problems, slow growth and even bed-wetting and high blood pressure, say new guidelines form the American Academy of Pediatrics. All children's routine checkups should include questions about snoring to better diagnose the syndrome, which can often be cured by surgery to remove tonsils and adenoids, say the guidelines published in Pediatrics. Snoring can be harmless in some children, but it is also one of the most common symptoms of the disorder. Studies suggest about half a million children ages 2 to 8 are affected

 

Safety Message

Yo Yo Balls a No-NoNo matter how careful you are when choosing toys for your child, there is always a chance that an unsafe one may sneak through into the toy box. An example of a very popular, but apparently unsafe toy, is the Yo-Yo Water Ball toy. It is a liquid filled bungee ball with soft spike-like protrusions on the ball, a cord of same material attached, and a round soft ring for the finger at the other end.

The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs is urging the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the toy as has been done in Canada and Great Britain. According to the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs, these seemingly harmless toys have been known to poison and choke young children as well as catch fire. Here is some information about these toys:

  • The water inside does not appear to be toxic.
  • The ball itself is made from diesel hydrocarbons.
  • The ball ignites instantly when a lighter is held to it--burning so hot it broke the lab dish and even the water inside did not slow down the burn.

The ball's cord is rubbery plastic and can stretch to 4-5 feet long. Children may swing it around their heads since it is soft. This could unintentionally tighten around their necks. The balls may emit dangerous compounds causing a variety of chronic health problems. They are sold under the name "Yo-Yo Water Ball" and "Water Yo-Yo," often in bargain stores. Please check your toy boxes.

If you have any comments or questions regarding this site, please contact  NixonWebInfo@yahoo.com