Hi Everyone!

I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Saturday, I was watching television and saw a public service announcement about what cigarette smoke does to children. It was not nice and it was really scary to think what smoke from some one’s cigarette, cigar, or pipe can do to the growth of a child.

I decided to talk to Mama and Dada about this problem. Dada said that when he was young, he smoked. He said that during that time there was not much known about the dangers of smoking. He said that it was a “dirty” “nasty” habit and he was so glad when he quit. We have a few relatives that smoke but Mama and Dada will not allow them to smoke in our house. We live in a smoke-free home. My parents will not allow us to go anywhere there is smoking like a store, restaurant, or another family’s home that has smoking. Dada said it is impossible to be a 100% smoke-free but he said that we must work towards that goal.

Here are some facts from the UICC (International Union Against Cancer): Around 700 million children - almost half of the world’s children - breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, particularly at home. On 4 February 2008, World Cancer Day directed a simple message to parents: “Second-hand smoke is a health hazard for you and your family. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Give your child a smoke-free childhood.”

Second-hand smoke (SHS), also known as environmental tobacco smoke, consists of both the smoke that is exhaled from the lungs of smokers and the smoke that is given off by a burning tobacco product between puffs. Second-hand smoke contains hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or cancer-causing. The 2006 United States Surgeon General’s Report concluded that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke and that even brief exposures can be harmful.

A single cigarette smoked in a room with poor ventilation generates much higher concentrations of toxic substances in the air than normal, everyday activities in a city. Toxic compounds from second-hand smoke linger in the air for an extended period of time. Nicotine from second-hand smoke is deposited on household surfaces and in dust. The air quality found inside a car with someone smoking is similar to or worse than the air quality found in smoky bars.Non-smokers who are exposed even briefly to a smoky environment take up and process (metabolize) the components of tobacco smoke.

Exposure to second-hand smoke in children increases risk of:
Low birth weight
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Ear infections
Poor lung development
Bronchitis and pneumonia
Asthma, cough, and wheeze
Being exposed to second-hand smoke as a child may lead to respiratory problems later in life.

If your Mama or Dada smokes, please tell them that it is not healthy for them and it will hurt your childhood health. Childhood health is very important because this is the time when your body grows. Do everything you can to avoid smoke from people who smoke.

Mama is including a download report from the UICC (International Union Against Cancer) that gives all the facts so your parents can make healthy decisions for your family. Please click this link to start the download process: Protecting Our Children From Second-Hand Smoke

Here is a copy of the public service announcement for your viewing:

Thank you for your visit. Please Click To Comment

Technorati Tags: Healthy Childhood, International Union Against Cancer, Second-Hand Smoke, Smoke-Free Childhood, UICC

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Hi Everyone!

Today, Mama and I spent more time on the Internet learning about the vanishing wildlife problem.

We found that a species is endangered when it is threatened with extinction. Since time began, countless species have gone extinct from natural processes. The extinction of dinosaurs is the best known example. If extinction is a natural process, why should we make an effort to save endangered species? Because we can no longer attribute the accelerating extinction of plants and animals to natural causes. Today most species of plants and animals become extinct because of habitat destruction (loss of living space to development or pollution), introduction of non-native organisms, and direct killing (over-harvesting, poisoning).

Here are some ways we can help all wildlife:

Support zoos, animal reserves, and organizations that help animals. Volunteer your money, time and ideas.

Avoid buying any products made from endangered animals.

Learn all about endangered animals and share this information with everyone.

Put out food and water for birds, especially in winter or stormy periods (short period of time).

Find out about your local conservation groups that work to protect animals. Ask how you can help them.  

Do not disturb the natural environment of wiildlife. Do not feed wildlife as they will become dependent on human feeding.

Don’t pollute your environment especially streams, lakes, and the oceans.

Mama says that we are all responsible for saving the world’s wildlife. We must each do our part no matter how small…it all adds up.

Mama found a real nice coloring book from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. It tells more about this subject and has nice pictures to color. Download the PDF file and print the pages so you can color them. Ask your parents to download it for you at this link: EPA Coloring Book 

 Tomorrow, we will start talking about the major wildlife protection organizations. See you then!

Technorati Tags: endangered species, pollution, saving wildlife, vanishing wildlife

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!