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4 MILLION Brits at risk of deadly asthma attacks

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CATCHING a cold or the flu could put more than four million Brits at risk of a deadly asthma attack, a charity has warned.

A study of more than 7,500 people found more than 80 per cent of people reported the flu made their asthma symptoms worse, according to Asthma UK.

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As many as 4.3 million Brits are at risk of a deadly asthma attack this flu season

That amounts to an 4.3 million people in the UK.

Last year, more than 40,000 people with asthma were hospitalised after falling ill during the winter months.

And recent figures reveal some 193 people have died of flu-related complications this winter, prompting the charity to urge people with asthma to protect themselves.

That includes carrying your inhaler everywhere you go, taking your preventative medicine and wrapping up warm to protect yourself from the cold air.

Cold and flu viruses make asthma symptoms worse

Dr Andy Whittamore, a GP and Asthma UK’s clinical lead, said: “The flu outbreak this year is extremely concerning and needs to be taken seriously.

“As many as four in five people with asthma could be at an increased risk of life-threatening asthma attacks if they catch the virus.

“The best way for people with asthma to stay safe this winter is to make sure they take their asthma medicines as prescribed.

“This ensures their airways are less inflamed and sensitive, and will help them to resist the effects of the flu.

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Asthma UK is urging asthma sufferers to wrap up warm to protect themselves this winter

“Everyone with asthma should also make sure they are washing their hands regularly to prevent spreading viruses, and look after themselves by eating a varied, balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.”

Cold air can irritate the lining of your lungs and throat, triggering asthma symptoms.


BREATHE EASY The surprising reason wearing a SCARF could save your life as big freeze hits


Asthma UK recommends wearing a scarf over your mouth to help warm the air your are breathing in.

Millions of people are thought to have been affected by the flu this winter, according to the online tool FluSurvey.

Flusurvey relies on 7,500 members of the public reporting when they are suffering flu-like symptoms – so the true number of flu cases is likely to be higher.

It has previously been suggested that the flu outbreak could become an epidemic if cases of the bug continue to rise.

An epidemic can only be declared by the Chief Medical Officer for England, Dame Sally Davies –  and GP consultations would need to reach a rate of more than 100 cases per 100,000 people.

The latest statistics from Public Health England (PHE), published last week, show the rate of GP consultations for the flu have reached 52.1 per 100,000.

Health bosses have renewed their call for people to get vaccinated against the flu as it is their best possible defence to prevent the bug.

Data from Public Health England last month showed this flu season is the “most significant” in seven years.

Here’s what you need to know about the deadly ‘Aussie Flu’ sweeping across the UK

A LUNG CONDITION THAT CAUSES BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

Asthma affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also appear for the first time in adults.

It is caused by inflammation of the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.

This inflammation makes the breathing tubes highly sensitive, so they temporarily become narrow.

This may occur randomly, or after exposure to a trigger like dust, pollen, smoke and even exercise.

Symptoms:

The main symptoms include

  • wheezing
  • breathlessness
  • a tight chest
  • coughing

Symptoms can sometimes get temporarily worse, this is known as an asthma attack.

Treatment

There is no known cure for asthma but the symptoms can be managed with a number of treatments.

Most asthma treatments are taken using an inhaler, a small device that delivers a spray or powder medicine to your breathing tubes as you breathe in.

The main treatments are:

  • avoiding potential triggers
  • reliever inhalers – inhalers used when needed to quickly relieve asthma symptoms for a short time
  • preventer inhalers – inhalers used every day to reduce the inflammation in the breathing tubes

Source: NHS Choices

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Heatwave due as summer makes comeback

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THERE’S been a break from the scorching hot weather. But summer is on the way back with heatwaves forecast across the country’s south.

news.com.auFEBRUARY 5, 20182:16PM

 

AFTER a refreshing cool spell, the heat is making a return this week with a host of capitals likely to see temperatures in the high 30s and Adelaide topping out at a possible 40C by the weekend.

Parts of Sydney and Brisbane could also hit the 40C mark, Canberra is likely to get to at least 35C with Melbourne not far off as heatwave conditions making a reappearance.

“There’s been a bit of a nice reprieve from that heat but it’s coming back again particularly for the south of the country,” Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe told news.com.au.

“In Adelaide, the heatwave is going to persist across much of the week. It won’t be quite as intense as the previous heatwave that crossed southeast Australia, but we’ll still see some pretty hot temperatures moving through,” he said.

“In Adelaide, the long-term average for February is 28.5C but on Sunday they got to 34C and that will rise this week to the point they will have six days in a row above average.”

Mr Sharpe said the South Australian capital was often in the heatwave firing line due to its position closer to the red centre and because it was further north than a number of other capitals. Heat lingers for longer in SA, he said.

But South Australia isn’t the only place due a dose of sun. The mercury will be rising in just about every eastern capital this week. A low- to severe-intensity heatwave will creep across SA, Victoria and much of central and southern NSW and the ACT.

Melbourne will peak at 34C on Wednesday while Canberra will hit 35C on Saturday. Sydney CBD will reach a summery 29C on Saturday but Penrith in the city’s west will climb as high as 39C. Brisbane will be a toasty 37C on Sunday but in neighbouring Ipswich 40C will be in order.

Regional areas of Victoria and NSW will be hotter still with Mildura and Albury likely to reach and possibly streak past 40C towards the end of the week.

“The reason it will get so hot is a high pressure system is setting up in the Tasman Sea off the NSW coast. Because the winds travel anticlockwise around high pressure systems, we have north-westerly winds drawing heat from the north of the country down into the south and that’s where it will sit for a number of days,” Mr Sharpe said.

However, a cool change is due and will spread gradually from south to east, sweeping through Tasmania and Victoria first.

“In Melbourne, the heat will spike around Wednesday or Thursday but then they will have a proper cool change during Saturday. But that will push the heat into the east of the country,” he said.

In Sydney, it will be Sunday when the heat begins to dissipate. Adelaide’s big drop will come at the end of the week with 39C on Friday followed by 29C on Saturday.

Further north in Queensland, rain has been the big feature with 30mm in the last few days in Brisbane. In the tropics it has been torrential with 148mm falling in Innisfail in Far North Queensland in the 24 hours to 9am on Monday.

WHEN THE HEAT WILL PEAK

ADELAIDE

A high of 35C on Monday might seem hot but it’s Friday which will be scorching with at least 39C. The cool change comes for the weekend. Despite the hot weather, the humidity will be fairly low.

MELBOURNE

27C on Monday will rise to a peak of 34C on Wednesday after which it will steadily drop to a chilly Sunday of 21C.

HOBART

Monday’s high of 21C will give way to 28C on Wednesday with some showers on Thursday and 27C. The mercury will manage a high of just 20C on Sunday.

CANBERRA

A warm week in the nation’s capital. From 29C on Monday to 35C on Saturday with scattered showers towards the end of the week.

SYDNEY

Summery in the CBD. 26C on Monday will head up to 29C on the weekend. But out west, it’s a whole lot hotter. Monday’s 33C in Penrith is hotter than the city will get all week. Then, on Saturday, it will push almost 40C with the odd downpour.

BRISBANE

Possible showers for the beginning of the week. 28C on Monday rising to 37C on Sunday. In Ipswich, Sunday could well see 40C. Up in Far North Queensland, Sunday will also be the hottest day at 33C. On the way to the weekend, rain and storms are likely in the tropics.

DARWIN

Around 32C this week with a monsoon lurking — but less intense than the recent rains.

PERTH

A steady week of sunshine in the west. 31C on Monday and for much of the week with a high of 33C on Sunday.

Book in to a summer first aid course so you are prepared for anything.

 

Myths and truth about first aid

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When Oksana Lukyantseva from Kyiv saw a man having an epileptic seizure, she did what she had once heard was right: she laid him on his side, put a jacket under his head, and put a wooden stick between his teeth to prevent him from swallowing or biting his tongue.

When the epileptic seizure ended, the ambulance arrived, and even though everything was fine with the man, Lukyantseva later found out that she had actually acted wrong. She made a common mistake that could have done a lot of harm.

According to Fedir Serdiuk, the founder of the first aid course training program FAST, while attempting to unclench a person’s jaw and put a spoon or a pencil in their mouth during an epileptic seizure, there is a risk of causing painful dental trauma or tearing the jaw ligaments.

The worst thing that can happen to a person during a seizure is that they can slightly bite their tongue, but this never leads to fatal consequences, Serdiuk explained during a “First, Do No Harm” lecture on first aid.

He said there are many myths popular among Ukrainians regarding first aid, and people need to learn more about the topic.

In Kyiv, an ambulance usually takes up to 20 minutes to arrive, but every minute matters: If someone’s heart stops, they will have only about five minutes to be saved, and only three minutes if they are suffering from major blood loss.

In less critical cases, the first hour, the so-called “golden hour,” is critical. During this time, an injured person’s body functions can still be largely unimpaired, and it is possible to maintain them in a stable state. However, a first-aid giver has to know what to do during this first hour.

According to Kyiv’s latest official statistics for 2014-2015, some 70 percent of car accident casualties occurred due to improper first aid being given by bystanders, while 20 percent of the deaths occurred because it took people too long to call an ambulance, according to Oleksandr Komashko, head of the advisory and information department of the Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine.

Another common first aid myth says that applying an emergency tourniquet to stop bleeding after a major limb injury for too long can cause gangrene and lead to amputation. Tatyana Nagornaya, who attended the FAST training course, found out that this is nothing but a myth.

“We were on an island, and our friend hurt his leg. Peroxide didn’t stop the heavy bleeding. We had to apply a tourniquet. An hour later we took it off, and the bleeding had stopped,” Nagornaya said, adding that her friend’s leg was fine as well.

A survey of wounded people who required tourniquets was performed at the 10th Combat Support Hospital, U.S. Army Task Force North in Baghdad, Iraq, over seven months in 2006. Patients were evaluated for tourniquet use, limb outcome, and morbidity. As many as 232 patients had 428 tourniquets applied to injured limbs, and none of the limbs was lost or suffered lasting impairment.

First aid course knowledge can come in handy even if there isn’t a serious accident, Serdiuk says. The most common case is when someone starts choking on a piece of food. For many, the most obvious move it to pound the person on their back. Well, don’t: In this case, the foreign object may only descend lower, blocking the respiratory tract.

The easiest way is to tell the person to cough and thus to clear the blockage. However, when choking is severe, and the person can’t speak or breathe, the right thing to do is to apply strong pressure to their abdomen, a procedure called the Heimlich maneuver.

Another popular mistake mentioned by Serdiuk is applying foam or spray medicines immediately to burns. These, or any other oily remedies, cause heat to go deeper into the tissues, increasing the severity of the injury, he said.

Centers that provide first aid course in English:

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Compulsory swimming lessons to save young lives

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ONCE known as Australia’s top swimming state, Queensland is now falling dangerously behind. Now, calls are being made for a compulsory swim program for school kids.

Peter Hall, Daniel Knowles
The Courier-MailJANUARY 31, 20187:55AM

S.O.S Save Our Schoolkids: Swim campaign

QUEENSLAND kids are leaving primary school unable to swim, because schools are failing to teach them the basic survival skills needed to keep themselves safe in the water.

Despite the Sunshine State’s abundance of beaches, backyard pools and rivers and dams, Queensland is the only state in Australia that does not have a compulsory or comprehensive State Government-funded swimming program in its primary schools.

Today, The Courier-Mail and 45 other News Queensland publications — with the backing of major bodies such as the Australian Water Safety Council, Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Surf Life Saving Queensland and leading Olympians — is launching an S.O.S. campaign to “Save Our Schoolkids”.

Experts warn of a generation of young people who can’t swim to save themselves and have called for immediate action to prevent a rise in drownings and rescues.

Our campaign is calling on the State Government to commit to compulsory swim and water safety lessons in Queensland primary schools.

Students would have to achieve a set benchmark – including swimming 50m, treading water for two minutes and being able to recognise potential dangers – as part of the program promoted by the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC).

AWSC convener Justin Scarr, also CEO of Royal Life Saving Society Australia, said more action was urgently needed to curtail child drownings and incidents.

Mr Scarr said Queensland was dragging the chain when it came to certified programs.

“Queensland has somewhat taken it (swimming ability among kids) for granted,’’ he said.

“The assumption is Queenslanders can swim before they walk because it is such an ideal environment for swimming … the water is part of everyday life for many people in the state.’’

Mr Scarr said Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, NSW, and more recently, Victoria, had implemented school-based programs.

At the most recent National Swimming and Water Safety Education Symposium, it was revealed Tasmania’s extensive initiative was taken up by 100 per cent of government schools, ACT’s 99 per cent, South Australia’s 98.9 per cent, WA’s 97 per cent and NSW 85 per cent.

Victoria introduced compulsory lessons this year after a successful pilot program that followed a $9.15m funding boost from its state government.

The Queensland Government was unable to say how many of their students were involved in school-based programs.

In Queensland, swimming and water safety lessons are encouraged as part of the curriculum but are not compulsory or benchmarked, according to Education Queensland.

State Government funding is available for pool hire and transport costs, but lessons are at the principal’s discretion and sometimes part of health and physical education classes.

“The decision will depend on the school context and availability of appropriate resources,’’ a spokesman said.

Last year, 849 Queensland state primary schools received $1,003,984 in Learn to Swim funding from the State Government, an Education Queensland spokesman said.

That averages out at just under $1200 a year for each school.

Surf Life Saving Queensland chief George Hill said volunteers and lifeguards were alarmed by the growing number of young people getting into trouble in the ocean.

“We are seeing more and more young people unable to cope in the water and in this state, which offers a year-round swimming environment, it’s imperative we give them the skills and knowledge to stay safe,’’ he said.

“We have made the State Government aware of our concerns and we need to act now to prevent fatalities in the future.’’

Mr Scarr said many parents were diligent in sending kids aged up to four or five to lessons, but then it stopped as the family focus often turned to soccer, football or netball.

“As a consequence, we are seeing children losing the chance to develop the swimming and survival skills that previous generations enjoyed.

“Cost of lessons can be an issue and it can be a case of the haves and have nots. There is also an assumption that schools will take over the responsibility for developing these essential skills.’’

Mr Scarr said targeting of children during primary years was “absolutely critical’’, as they needed to learn the vital skills before their teenage years when they ventured into waterways without being under the watchful eyes of parents.

“For us, it makes sense to start in Year 2 and 3 otherwise we risk leaving it too late. There needs to be a commitment and it has to happen urgently,’’ Mr Scarr said.

The Catholic and independent school sectors said many of their schools offered water safety and swimming lessons.

Independent Schools Queensland executive director David Robertson said that while swimming was not mandated, most independent schools ran programs.

“Queensland independent schools recognise the importance of educating students about water safety and supporting them to be proficient swimmers,” Mr Robertson said.

Royal Life Saving Society Australia recently hosted a World Health Organisation conference attended by seven countries from the Asia-Pacific region.

The conference was advised that governments had to intervene to ensure swimming and safety programs for children, and primary schools were promoted as the best place to roll out initiatives.

Parent surveys have identified cost as the major barrier to swimming lessons.

Senior instructors say prices range from $16 and $20 with discounts offered for multiple visits or siblings. Most families opt for one session a week, with about 20 per cent paying for two.

Originally published as Calls for compulsory swim classes in school

 

First Aid – The Most Efficient Way To Save a Life

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Universally, a large number of individuals kick the bucket every year because of mischances or serious damage. Sadly, a considerable lot of those passings could have been avoided if first aid had been administered at the scene promptly before the emergency administrations arrived.

First aid, or emergency first aid, is the care that is given to an injured or wiped out individual preceding treatment by therapeutically prepared staff. In this article, we will take a gander at the historical backdrop of first aid, how it works and how to do it.

What is first aid?

Some self-restricting diseases or minor wounds may just require first aid intercession and no further treatment. First aid, by and large, comprises of some basic, frequently life-sparing procedures that a great many people can be prepared to perform with negligible gear.

First aid more often than not alludes to the organization of care to a human, despite the fact that it should likewise be possible on every creature. The point of first aid is to keep a weakening of the patient’s circumstance, to aid recuperation, and to save the life.

Actually, it isn’t classed as therapeutic treatment and ought not to be compared to what a doctor may do. First aid is a blend of some basic techniques, in addition to the utilization of good judgment.

A concise history of first aid

The historical backdrop of first aid changes relying upon what part of the world one is alluding to. Around the eleventh century in Europe the Order of St. John was made with the point of preparing individuals to therapeutically watch over casualties of front-line wounds – these were laypersons who were formally prepared in the organization of first aid.

Amid the Middle Ages in Europe first aid took a secondary lounge and did not by any stretch of the imagination reemerge until the second 50% of the nineteenth century. In 1859 Henry Dunant, a Swiss representative, prepared and sorted out neighborhood town people to manage first aid to combat zone casualties of the Battle of Solferino, Italy.

RELATED: Breathing Pure Oxygen Is Effective Against Concussions

In 1863, four countries met in Geneva, Switzerland, and framed an association which turned into the advanced Red Cross – amid this gathering the term first aid was first utilized with its cutting-edge meaning.

The underlying point of the Red Cross was to direct aid to wiped out and injured warriors. Amid the modern transformation, Great Britain had various nonmilitary personnel rescue vehicle teams who might go to the emergency aid of diggers, railroad laborers, and policemen.

In 1877, St. John Ambulance was framed in England. It depended on the standards of the Knights Hospitaller, i.e. to show first aid. Before long a few associations joined St. John Ambulance. Through St. John Ambulance, first aid became common all through the British Empire.

What are the points of first aid?

• To save the life: this is the fundamental point of first aid; to save lives. This incorporates the life of the first aider, the setback (the casualty, the injured/debilitated individual), and spectators

• To prevent the further harm: the patient must be kept stable and his/her condition must not exacerbate before therapeutic administrations arrive. This may incorporate moving the patient out of mischief’s way, applying first aid procedures, keeping him/her warm and dry, applying strain to wounds to quit bleeding, and so forth.

• Promote recuperation: this may incorporate applying a mortar (gauze) to a little twisted; anything that may help in the recuperation procedure.

What are the skills of first aid?

ABC and D. The most widely recognized term referred to in first aid is ABC, which remains for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Indeed, the term additionally is regularly used by emergency wellbeing experts. The D remains for Defibrillation.

• Airway – the first aider needs to ensure the setback’s aviation route is clear. Chocking, which comes about because of the deterrent of aviation routes, can be deadly

• Breathing – when the first aider has discovered that the aviation routes are not hindered, he/she should decide the loss’ sufficiency of breathing, and if essential give safeguard relaxing

• Circulation – if the loss isn’t breathing the first aider ought to go straight for chest compressions and save relaxing. The chest compressions will give the course.

• Defibrillation – a few associations have this fourth step, while others incorporate this as a component of course

Step by step instructions to assess and keep up the ABC of a patient relies on the first aider. When ABC has been secured the first aider would then be able to concentrate on any extra medicines.

What is the recuperation position?

Regardless of whether the loss is breathing, yet is oblivious, there is as yet a critical danger of air passage obstruction The recuperation position limits the hazard to the patient. A first aider ought to do the accompanying:

• Remove glasses if the setback is wearing them

• Make sure the legs are straight

RELATED: Why Are You Having Heart Palpitations?

• Place the arm that is closest to you at right edges to the setback’s body (you are bowing alongside him/her)

• Bring the other arm across their chest; hold the back of his hand against his closest cheek

• With your another hand, hold the thigh that is uttermost from you and draw it up to the knee. Ensure his foot is level on the ground

• Slowly pull down on the raised knee and move him over towards you

• Move the upper leg somewhat with the goal that the setback’s hip and knee are bowed at right-edges. This ensures they don’t move back onto their face

• Gently tilt the head back with the goal that the air passage route is kept open.

What is Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)?

In the event that the setback isn’t breathing the first aider should do mouth to mouth (cardio-pneumonic revival).

It is improbable that CPR will begin a heart. Its motivation is to keep up the stream of oxygenated blood to the cerebrum and heart, and subsequently avoiding or possibly postponing tissue passing. CPR can broaden the short window of time amid which fruitful revival may happen without perpetual mind harm.

The new rules expressed that rescuers ought to go straight to CPR if there is no breathing, as opposed to at that point checking for a heartbeat. It additionally included that protect breathing without chest compressions must not be performed.

• 30 chest compressions – the first aider ought to bow beside the loss who ought to lie on his/her back. Place the foot rear area of one deliver the center of the loss’ chest, and place your other hand over your first hand and interweave the fingers. Push the chest down to around 1.5 to 2 inches and for a child of 1 to 8 years to most extreme of 1.5 inches and repeat this 30 times at a rate of 100 every moment.

• Give 2 breaths – Make beyond any doubt air passage is open and squeeze the nose so it closes. Tenderly raise the button upwards with the two fingers of your other hand. Take a full breath and seal your mouth over the setback’s mouth and inhale out into the air passage. You should see the setback’s chest rise and fall. To get another breath lift your head and take in profoundly. Play out the entire methodology once more.

Repeat the 30 chest compressions took after by two breaths around five times and afterward verify whether the setback has begun to inhale or not.

 

Healthy lunch box ideas that kids will eat

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You don’t have to stick with a salad that kids will never eat. Kids will love these simple and tasty lunch box ideas that you can pack in no time.

Susie Burrell
news.com.auJANUARY 28, 201810:34PM

 

Which lunchbox is ‘healthier’?

IT IS that time of year again: school’s back!

And with the annual stationery and new shoe run, too comes the influx of ideas for busy parents on how to pack a nutritious and appealing lunch box for small children, which should be said is no easy feat. Considering though that growing children do consume up to 30 per cent of their total calories while they are at school, what we pack them each day is important. So here are the easiest steps to take to pack a healthy yet child friendly lunch box, and the best packaged snacks out there if you are looking for some guidance.

The easiest way to pack a nutritionally balanced lunch box is to think of it in terms of compartments or sections. This way you will ensure you have enough items in the lunch but also the right nutritional balance.

A well balanced lunch box will include:

1) Sandwich, wrap or crackers

Remember that wholegrain and wholemeal varieties of breads and crisp breads are best. Try to also include a protein rich filling such as ham, tuna, chicken breast or egg on sandwiches as the protein helps to keep kids full throughout the afternoon.

2) Piece of fruit

Fresh fruit is always best as dried fruit, fruit juice, fruit sticks and straps are high in sugar and digested quickly.

3) Dairy food

Dairy foods including milk, cheese, yoghurt and dairy snacks provide both calcium and protein for healthy bones, teeth and growth. Look for the very few yoghurts that do not contain added sugar where possible.

4) Snack

Aim for snacks to contain less than 400kJ or 100 calories per serve and options that are made from whole grains — see the list detailed below. Naturally homemade snacks such as banana bread or mini muffins are better options nutritionally if you do have time to make them.

5) Water

Water should always be the drink of choice for children. Fruit juice, cordial and flavoured waters are high in sugar and not consumed regularly.

Research on Australian children’s lunch boxes has found that on average children are consuming three packaged snacks such as muesli bars, cheese and dip packs, fruit twists, potato chips and snack bars, which is too many.

Snack foods are often highly processed food choices that offer little nutritionally. For this reason it is suggested that at most children consume one packaged snack food each day. Good snack food choices contain dietary fibre, whole grains and/or protein and contain less than 400kJ or 100 calories per serve.

If you are worried that you child’s lunch box does not contain enough “fun” foods, consider letting your child choose his/her snacks once each week and negotiate healthy choices for the remainder of the week.

To keep lunch boxes at the right temperature, look for freezer style cooler packs or try freezing an ice block or tetra style drink and pack with the lunch to keep it fresh.

One of the biggest issues in relation to children’s lunch box choices is that they have too much choice. Limit your child’s choice to just one or two food items to avoid starting a never ending negotiation about all the different type of food that you can include in the lunch box.

The better packaged snack food options

Messy Monkeys

Found in the health food section, these wholegrain snacks are gluten free, contain just 90 calories per serve and the kids will actually eat them.

Kids Roasted Fav-va Beans

A great choice nutritionally thanks to the high protein content — with 3g of protein, 1g of fibre, no sugar for just 70 calories this product is a great balance of a naturally flavoured packaged snack food that kids will actually enjoy eating.

Milo Energy Snack Bars

With less than 5g of added sugars (about the lowest you can find in a kids snack), just 80 calories and almost 2g of fibre, this popular brand combines some nutrition with a child friendly product.

ARI Bars

In the health food section, a low sugar, gluten free bar option for less than 100 calories.

Cobb’s Popcorn

With less than 94 calories per serve, popcorn is a wholesome snack and a lunch box favourite.

Milo Starz

If you can find them, these are a good choice with just 80 calories and a relatively low amount of sugar compared to traditional biscuit style snacks for kids.

Freedom XO Crunchers

With just 4g of sugars per pack and fewer than 80 calories these gluten free snacks are child friendly, nut free and taste great

PetitMiam Plain Yoghurt Pouch

One of the only yoghurt tubes for kids that does not contain ANY added sugar

Book in to a first aid courses in Canberra so you are trained and ready for any emergency situation.

 

Australia hit by ‘severe’ heatwave

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LARGE parts of the country are in the grips of yet another heatwave, with experts warning the extreme weather could be fatal.

The current heatwave will see the mercury soar well above the average maximum temperature, with unusually humid conditions compounding the already dangerously hot weather.

Sarah Fitton, a senior meteorologist from the Bureau of Meteorology’s National Operations Centre, said most of South Australia and Victoria and parts of NSW would be affected by a severe heatwave while parts of Tasmania would grapple with an extreme heatwave over the long weekend.

She said the mercury would rise up to 16 degrees above the average maximum temperature for large areas of the country.

Adelaide, Hobart and Melbourne will be the hottest capital cities, with Sunday’s overnight temperature only dropping to an “uncomfortable” minimum of 27 degrees.

“Compounding this is the fact it’s also becoming very humid. A slow moving high pressure system from the Tasman Sea is bringing tropical moisture from Queensland down into the southern states,” Ms Fitton said.

“Normally summer heatwaves are often a very dry heat but the characteristic of this heatwave is that there is high humidity which makes it feel even hotter.

“It increases heat stress as the human body doesn’t cool down well in humid conditions. Evaporative air conditioners can also struggle when it is humid.”

But there is relief in sight, with a cool change coming on Sunday through to Monday in much of the country.

“There will be a cold front accompanied by showers and storms cooling off the south of the country on Tuesday and it will move across NSW,” she said.

“There will be a complete flushing out of heat in the southern states and except for Queensland it will be very mild for the remainder of the country into early next week.”

Victoria’s chief health officer Professor Charles Guest warned the current heatwave could be fatal.

According to Fairfax media, Professor Guest said elderly Australians were more at risk as they were less likely to use airconditioning.

“We know every time there is a succession of hot days there will be deaths,” he said on Friday morning.

“Think of your neighbours and friends. Particularly old people living alone are vulnerable to the heat and not aware they are becoming victim to heat exhaustion.”

Beachgoers have also been warned to swim between the flags and avoid rips following a recent spike in drowning deaths across the country.

Australia’s latest heatwave comes with unusually humid conditions. Picture: BoMSource:Supplied

ADELAIDE:

The South Australian capital will be mostly sunny and very hot with a high of 41 degrees today, before climbing even higher to 42 degrees tomorrow.

There will be a cool change on Monday though with the mercury plummeting to 26 degrees.

MELBOURNE:

Melburnians will face humid conditions with a possible shower today with a high of 32 degrees, followed by a scorching hot, humid and mostly sunny 39 degree day tomorrow.

HOBART:

The city will be very hot, humid and sunny at 36 degrees tomorrow, with a high of 29 today.

SYDNEY:

It will be partly cloudy and a reasonable 28 degrees in Sydney today and tomorrow.

BRISBANE:

There will be a shower or two in Brisbane today with a high of 32, followed by more showers and a high of 29 tomorrow.

PERTH:

It’s expected to be mostly sunny and 28 degrees today in Perth, with clouds clearing and a high of 30 tomorrow.

CANBERRA:

There will be a shower or two and a possible storm with a high of 31 in the nation’s capital today, with a partly cloudy 31 degrees tomorrow. Book in to a first aid course in Canberra so you are out of the heat. www.canberrafirstaid.com

DARWIN:

Possible storms and a high of 29 are predicted in Darwin both today and tomorrow.

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Snake bite first aid taught through virtual reality program

 

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VIRTUAL reality technology is being used to train Victorian workers to treat snake bites in a world-first lifesaving effort.

Melbourne Water has recruited Deakin University to train its staff in snake bite prevention and first aid as part of the hi-tech program.

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It comes with ‘snake season’— those warmer months when the dangerous, cold-blooded reptiles become more active — in full swing.

Deakin University VR Lab director Ben Horan, who is leading a joint effort involving staff and students to develop the virtual reality training tool, told the Herald Sun: “Trainees will simply slip on a portable VR headset and be immersed in an engaging and interactive scenario where they can learn the right skills to treat someone who has suffered a snake bite.

“Trainees will receive training within the virtual scenario environment and then be asked to deliver first-aid on the virtual snake bite victim.

The program will be used to help trainees learn to properly fold bandages and apply the correct pressure to the wound.

Melbourne Water safety manager Scott McMillan said there were an estimated 3000 snake bites in Australia each year.

“Our staff and contractors regularly work in pairs in very remote locations in catchments and around waterways, where there is a real risk of being bitten by a snake,” he said.

The technology had the potential to be expanded to other public services, with community members also looking to get their fangs into the new equipment.

“We’ll also be looking to educate and train community groups to better understand how to prevent snake bites, as well as the correct first aid techniques if a bite occurs,” Mr McMillan said.

Twenty of the world’s 25 most venomous snakes are found in Australia.

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Anaphylaxis risk from pre-packaged foods

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Australians with severe food allergies are at risk from pre-packaged foods and have no way of being sure products are safe, researchers say.

Australians who suffer severe allergic reactions are rolling the dice when they eat pre-packaged foods, a new study suggests.

Researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute have uncovered 14 cases in Australia and New Zealand in just three months, where people suffered life-threatening anaphylaxis attacks from unlisted ingredients.

Alarmingly, half of the cases involved products that did have special allergen warnings to suggest they should be avoided.

In those cases, it’s suspected the food products were contaminated with other allergens during manufacturing.

Larger studies are now being planned, with the 14 cases uncovered through surveys of medical professionals presumed to be a fraction of the real problem.

“Our study showed that anaphylaxis to undeclared allergens is not rare,” says senior author Professor Katie Allen.

“The reports of anaphylactic episodes to products both with and without precautionary allergen labels is of concern. It suggests the current labelling system should be expanded to inform food-allergic consumers in safer food choices.”

The study’s lead author, Dr Giovanni Zurzolo, says authorities must re-examine food safety regulations, including precautionary allergen labelling, to protect vulnerable consumers.

Victorian teenager Emilia has experienced several anaphylactic attacks during her life, and carries an EpiPen with her at all times due to her severe reactions to wheat, eggs and peanuts.

Despite taking great care with her diet, she suffered an episode 18 months ago after eating a packet of rice biscuits that were in her school lunch.

“There were no ingredients listed on the label that Emi is allergic to, so we were very surprised that she had a reaction,” her mother Helen Czech said.

“It is concerning that even if you read the label carefully and try to do everything right that your child could still be at risk.”

The research has been published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Source: AAP
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Australia Day weather

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THERE’S good and bad news if you’re planning Australia Day outside. It’s going to be really hot and it’s also expected to get wet.

news.com.auJANUARY 22, 20187:26PM

GET your barbecues ready and keep the swimwear out because Australia Day looks set to be a hot and humid scorcher.

Possible storms and rain could threaten those outdoor parties, however, especially if you’re living in Victoria and certain parts of NSW.

Sky News Weather meteorologist Rob Sharpe said heat will very slowly shift from its current focus in NSW and southern Queensland to the southern states in the lead up to Australia Day.

Mr Sharpe said it would be a hot one for a lot of the country.

“On Australia Day it will be hot across southern and southeastern Australia, with heatwave conditions continuing over western NSW and northern South Australia,” he said.

“The heat is due to a pair of almost stationary troughs sitting over the south-east and the western inland of the country.”

Mr Sharpe said the trough in the southeast will produce showers and storms in eastern Victoria and southern and central parts of NSW on Friday, which will “likely interrupt a few afternoon barbecues, mainly along and near the ranges.”

“The Australia Day long weekend will be extremely hot across the southern capitals with Adelaide forecast to exceed 40 degrees each day, and Melbourne above 35 degrees.”

“Even Hobart is forecast to hit 35 on both Saturday and Sunday on the long weekend.”

Mr Sharpe said Perth looked to be the pick of the capitals, with the city expecting a top of 28C.

Adelaide is forecast to hit 40C.

“Darwin is the most likely to be wet, with showers and storms in the forecast,” he said.

“Sydney should be warm and humid, with showers and storms a risk in the west. Just the chance of a shower or two each day in Brisbane across the long weekend with daily tops of 31C.”

Here’s what we can expect across the capitals this week.

SYDNEY

Today 31c, tomorrow, 31C, Wednesday 29C, Thursday 30C, Australia Day 30C with the chance of showers, Saturday 30C, Sunday 29C.

MELBOURNE

Today 31C, tomorrow 23C, Wednesday 26C, Thursday 29C, Australia Day 35C chance of afternoon showers, Saturday 39C chance of showers, Sunday 39C.

BRISBANE

Today 31C, tomorrow 33C with the chance of showers, Thursday 31 with showers, Australia Day 31C with the chance of showers and storms, Saturday 31 and showers, Sunday 31C and showers.

PERTH

Today 34C, tomorrow 33C, Wednesday 32C, Thursday 29C, Australia Day 28C, Saturday 28C, Sunday 31C.

ADELAIDE

Today 31C with the chance of showers, tomorrow 30C, Wednesday 33C, Thursday 37C, Australia Day 40C, Saturday 42C, Sunday 42C.

HOBART

Today 25C, tomorrow 25C with chance of showers, Wednesday 26C, Thursday 27C with possible showers, Friday 27C, Saturday and Sunday 35C with the chance of showers.

CANBERRA

Today 37C, tomorrow 36C with the chance of showers, Wednesday 36C with showers, Thursday 33C with showers, Saturday 32C with showers, Sunday 33 with a chance of showers.

DARWIN

Today 30C, tomorrow 29C, Wednesday 29C, Thursday 30C, Australia Day 31C, Saturday 31C and Sunday 31C. There is the chance of rain and storms every day across the NT capital.

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Stay safe out their Canberra. Check into a first aid course to stay out of the heat this summer. Check our dates at www.canberrafirstaid.com