ECELS - Healthy Child Care PA

08/15/2025

Did you know that tick activity in Pennsylvania peaks in late spring and again from mid-August through November? 🕷️ Taking steps to protect your family and your pets from tick bites is easier than 1, 2, 3!

✅ Prevent Tick Bites:
• Use EPA-registered repellents
• Wear light-colored clothing, like long sleeves & pants
• Perform tick checks after outdoor activities
• Shower immediately after coming inside
• Keep lawns trimmed, tidy and free of leaf litter

🔗 For more information on tick prevention, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/index.html


Photo credit: CDC

07/14/2025

Thousands of children are injured every year from window falls — and most are completely preventable.

🪟 Window Fall Safety Tips to Keep Kids Safe at Home:
✅ Install window guards or stops – Screens are not strong enough to prevent a fall.
✅ Move furniture away from windows to deter curious climbers.
✅ If you must open a window, open from the top if possible.
✅ *Always* supervise young children near open windows.

For more information on window safety, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8oifZ7HXaA

Tips on protecting your children from window falls.

07/04/2025

🎆It's that time of year again! Fireworks abound as we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July! Let’s make safety a top priority for all 🚒👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎇Read on for firework safety tips to ensure a fun & injury-free holiday:
https://www.nfpa.org/en/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/fireworks

06/24/2025

🥵 Alert: Extreme heat is expected in PA over the next few days and can be dangerous to your health. Keep cool, drink plenty of water, and follow local alerts to stay safe!

06/11/2025

Healthy mouths support healthy minds! The SPOT Toolkit equips school professionals with practical resources to promote oral health in schools. Explore and share this essential toolkit today: https://healthyteethhealthychildren.org/toolkit/ 🦷✨

05/22/2025

Parked cars get hot, fast – and so do children. Prevent hot car deaths by using these simple steps.

🛑 STOP before you exit your car.
👀 LOOK in the back seat.
🔒 LOCK your vehicle to prevent kids from gaining access and becoming trapped.

Spread awareness – share this message. 💛

Visit NHTSA.gov/Heatstroke to learn more.

https://youtu.be/IrmeYF6sPIo

Never could happen to anyone. Parked cars get hot, fast – and can be deadly. Prevent Hot Car Deaths. Once you park, Stop. Look. Lock.Subscribe for Ad Council...

03/17/2025

Join us in celebrating National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) this week! The goal of the CACFP is to serve nutritious meals to children in child care homes, centers and afterschool programs, as well as adults in day care facilities.

For more information and resources visit: https://www.cacfp.org

02/21/2025

❤️ February is American Heart Month! ❤️

Focusing on prevention from the earliest ages is crucial for long-term heart health. Promoting healthy eating and encouraging children to engage in fun activities to raise heart rates helps strengthen their hearts while fostering lifelong health habits.

More information on heart health:
• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/move-more-making-physical-activity-routine
• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/heart-smart-basics-what-know-keep-yours-healthy-fact-sheet
• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/self-care-tips-heart-health-fact-sheet

02/03/2025

February is National Children's Dental Health Month!

The American Dental Association is offering new materials to celebrate and promote children’s dental health, not only during the month of February, but all year long.

https://www.ada.org/resources/community-initiatives/national-childrens-dental-health-month

01/30/2025

Brush Up on Oral Health! Brushing is one of the main ways you can keep your child's teeth healthy. You should brush your child's teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice each day to help prevent tooth decay (cavities). Begin brushing as soon as your child's first tooth begins to show.

• https://headstart.gov/publication/brushing-your-childs-teeth
• https://headstart.gov/publication/understanding-why-baby-teeth-are-important
• https://headstart.gov/browse/series/healthy-habits-happy-smiles

01/07/2025

SAFE WINTER PLAY
The winter months bring harsh weather conditions so here are some safe tips for outdoor play:

1. Check the temperature and wind chill – avoid any play outdoors when the temperature or wind chills are below -15 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Children should wear mittens or gloves, insulated boots and hats.
4. Take breaks indoors to warm up and set reasonable limits on playing outside.

For more information, check out https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Winter-Safety.aspx or use thishttps://www.c-uphd.org/documents/wellness/weatherwatch.pdf as a resource when determining the length of play.

12/20/2024

Happy Holidays! During this holiday season, remember these general toy safety tips. Let’s make this holiday season safe and joyful for everyone!
• https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Holiday-Safety
• https://www.connecticutchildrens.org/growing-healthy/dangers-water-beads-button-batteries-and-magnets