Raise Safe and Healthy Kids

Follow these tips to help kids grow into safe and healthy adults.

Help kids develop habits they can use to stay safe and healthy. Don’t forget to subscribe to the new Kid’s Health RSS feed to stay updated with the latest information, programs, research, and data on kids’ health from CDC.

Development

• Avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
• Learn child development milestones to help your child reach his or her full potential.
• Learn positive parenting tips for babies and toddlers.
• Prevent child maltreatment before it starts.

Health

• Eat and prepare healthy meals and snacks.
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
• Notify your caregiver of your family health history, which could save your child's life.
• Don't forget to wash hands often to prevent germs from spreading.
• Encourage kids to be active at least one hour a day.
• Apply sunscreen to protect skin.
• Take steps to remove triggers for asthma, including smoke, dust mites, cockroaches, and mold.
• Know where to go for care, even if you or your child does not have health insurance.
• Don't forget to make sure your children are fully vaccinated based on recommendations for their age group.

Safety

• Store medicine and household products in locked cabinets, out of children's reach.
• Fasten kids into child safety seats appropriate for their age and size.
• Have talks with your child about healthy relationships to prevent dating abuse.
• Have a safety plan for emergencies, and practice it regularly.
• Yield to children walking outside. Teach your kids pedestrian safety, and practice it with them.
• Install smoke alarms in the house, and test them regularly.
• Ensure children wear proper safety gear, such as helmets, knee pads, and life jackets.

More Information

• Kids' Health
• Kids' Health RSS Feed
• CDC Parent Portal
• Healthy Youth
• Kids' Quest on Disability and Health
• New Technology and Youth Violence
• Protect the Ones You Love
• Websites for Kids and Teens