Parents can understandably be concerned when their child doesn’t feel well and has a fever. But how high is too high? When should a parent treat a fever at home and when should they seek medical help?

Dr. Mark Baker is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Children’s of Alabama and works in the Emergency Department. He says a fever is anything higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. “Fever is the body’s response to an infection,” he says. “Fevers are generally well tolerated in healthy children, especially if they are up to date with recommended childhood vaccines.”

Dr. Baker says there are instances when a parent should take a fever seriously and seek medical attention. These include when a child has a temperature higher than 100.4 AND:

Is 3 months of age or younger
Has serious underlying medical problems
Experiences pain or other concerns

If any of these conditions exist, parents are encouraged to take their child to the Emergency Department. If a parent is unsure how serious the situation may be, their child’s pediatrician is available to help. Even after hours, a pediatrician’s office has a 24/7 on call line.

Dr. Baker says in an otherwise healthy child, a fever can usually be treated at home with either ibuprofen or acetaminophen, (Motrin or Tylenol). He says it is best to stick with one form of treatment and follow the dosage instructions. If the over the counter medicine isn’t helping, Dr. Baker advises parents to call their child’s pediatrician or go to the Emergency Department.

Parents can also make sure their child is more comfortable by dressing them in lightweight clothing and covering them with a light sheet or blanket. It’s very important that the child gets plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. A sponge bath or wet cloth may help lower their temperature and make them feel more comfortable.

All kids get fevers, and in most cases recover completely within a few days. But if you ever have concerns about your child’s well-being, it’s best to contact their doctor for guidance.

Have you ever been to a home where it’s clear that the kids toys have taken over the space? It’s obvious that the home has become more of a playground, filled with toys and bright-colored plastic everywhere… Does it sounds a lot like your home? I know it was mine! No matter how hard you try to fight it, or contain it, those toys just continue to creep into every room. The good news is that it’s possible to create a home that incorporates the beauty of a stylish home with the practicality of living with children. Here are a few design tips to help.

•Be Realistic –You may love the look of crisp white sofas and delicate glass vases, but if you live with kids, opt for more durable choices. Natural fiber furniture in neutrals hide stains while looking stylish; choose a sofa with removable cushion covers you can pop in the wash as needed. Display beautiful wood or stone accent pieces instead of glass, to cut down on accidental breakage.

•Less is More – Uncrowded rooms allow for the excess energy of fast-moving children. Give them room to play. Less toys also means less mess when they’re all inevitably spread over the house!

•Double Duty Furniture – Look for stylish bins or hidden storage units such as ottomans where you can quickly dump excess toys when guests pop by.

•Create a Play Station – Carve out a special place for the kids to play, such as a basement family room or a cozy attic. Keep larger playsets and toys there and help the kids make it a special place just for them. This may keep some of the ‘kid clutter’ contained to one area of the home.

•House Rules – Develop some simple rules and then be disciplined about it. For example, a good house rule is that toys are gathered into storage units each evening before dinner. Cleaning things up a bit at a time makes it less overwhelming. Most of all, strive for a livable home. It’s almost impossible to have a picture-perfect home with kids, but by taking a few simple steps, you can merge a kid-friendly environment with a beautiful adult home.

Thank you to our site sponsors, Sophia Leece and Scott Boudreaux with LAH Real Estate. For more information on what’s happening in the Birmingham Housing Market, or to schedule a free home buyer/seller consultation, you can reach them:

Sophia Leece, 205.895.9120 | sleece@lahrealestate.com
Scott Boudreaux, 205.835.9787 | sboudreaux@lahrealestate.com

The idea of deep cleaning your home can be overwhelming, especially for Moms who are already busy with the day to day of the constant picking up of toys and wiping down of the tiny humans. But if you put a plan in place, and take it room by room you can get your Spring Cleaning done in no time! Here are some tips.

Kitchen Tasks:

Kitchen Sink – Try running a couple of lemon rind slivers through your garbage disposal and follow with cold water to get rid of any unwanted odors.

Fridge – In addition to wiping down your fridge’s interior shelving on a regular basis, give the removable bins and shelves a deep clean every now and again. Pop out the door shelves and bins, and wash in warm, soapy water to get rid of food bacteria and spillage.

Countertops – Dig out the granite polish to restore shine and help repel stains on your kitchen surfaces.

Oven – Use your appliance’s self-cleaning function to remove stubborn, baked-on grime. If your oven doesn’t have one, place a hot, wet cloth on top of burned spots to help soften the gunk. Then scrub with a sprinkle of baking powder and a heavy duty pad. Rinse and wipe dry.

Cabinets – Kitchen grime is a mix of dust and grease that builds up over time. Run the exhaust hood over your range every time you cook to keep grease from settling. Do an extra pass around any places that grease collects, like door and drawer pulls.

Bathroom Tasks:

Grout – White grout picks up everything. CLR Brilliant Bath, Let it set for several minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush.

Shower Drain – To freshen drains (not unclog them) and help keep them free-flowing, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup table salt. Pour the mixture down the drain, followed by 1 cup heated vinegar. It will foam and bubble. Let it stand for 15 minutes tops. Follow by running hot tap water for at least 15 to 30 seconds. This is especially helpful for seldom-used drains, like in guest bathrooms.

Shower Curtains – Stick plastic or vinyl shower curtains along with a few bath towels on the gentle cycle with your favorite detergent. Let it hang dry before showering. To keep the curtain cleaner longer, spritz it a few times each month with a bleach-containing all-purpose cleaner. Then just let the shower rinse it off.

Bedroom Tasks:

Mattress – Press firmly with your vacuum’s upholstery and crevice tools to clean the top and sides. After vacuuming, sanitize your mattress with a disinfectant spray like Lysol. You can also use a garment steamer or iron to kill dust mites near the surface. Vacuum afterward.

Bedding – Pillows and comforters only need to be tackled a couple of times a year so making them part of your spring cleaning routine, just makes sense. Make sure to follow the manufacture’s labels before tossing them into your washing machine.

Laundry Room Tasks:

Washing Machine – freshen it up by adding bleach and turning on the special washer cleaning cycle on your machine, or using a washing machine cleaner

Dryer – Beyond removing the fuzz from your dryer’s filter after every load, pull out hard-to-reach lint with the crevice tool on your vacuum to suck up debris. Vacuum under, around, and behind the dryer as well.

Additional Household Tasks:

Ceiling Fixtures – Grab an extendable duster and attack ceiling fans, hanging and recessed lights, moldings

Bookshelves – Take a few minutes to organize your coffee table books, bedside novels, or favorite magazines. You can alphabetize, coordinate by color, or sort by size. Make sure you dust the shelves before putting anything back in its place.

Closet – The change of season is a great time to make a pass through your closets and toss out old clothes that are stained, or that no longer fit as you swap things out to storage.

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Show some love to the patients at Children’s of Alabama this Valentine’s Day by sending a free greeting card through the hospital’s website.

Now through Sunday, Feb. 14, visit give.childrensal.org/VDay to select one of the three card designs. The cards will be printed and distributed by hospital staff to patients throughout the hospital on Valentine’s Day.

“When children are in the hospital, a simple gesture like a Valentine’s Day card can really lift their spirits,” said Mindy Wald, manager, events.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, staff is unable to accept in-person gift donations for patients at the hospital.

“Online shopping is a great way to support our patients any time of the year because the gifts can be shipped directly to the hospital,” Wald said. The hospital’s online registry features perfect gifts for boys and girls of all ages. The hospital is unable to accept food/candy, stuffed animals, toys that depict violence, religious items, crocheted/knit items, and gently used or homemade items on behalf of patients.

For more information about donating to patients at Children’s of Alabama, visit ChildrensAL.org/Foundation.