Dehydration and Children

Summer is here…finally!  There are so many fun activities going on during the summer months here in Massachusetts.  With so much going on, it is important to remember to hydrate your children properly.  According to Dr. Holly Benjamin, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Chicago, by the time children say they are thirsty they are already 3% dehydrated.   The amount of water/fluids a child needs depends on their age.  Children ages 1-3 need 4 cups a day, ages 4-8 need 5 cups a day, ages 9-14 need 7 cups a day and over 14 yrs old need the adult recommendation of 8-10 cups of water a day.  The scary part of this is that only 10% of girls and 15% of boys get this recommended amount of water a day.  The culprit is sugary drinks instead of water.

Here are some easy ways to keep your child hydrated this summer:

  • Make drinking water fun and colorful, freeze strawberries with water in an ice cube tray and add them to your child’s drink
  • Buy some crazy straws that make drinking water cool
  • Eat high water content foods like watermelon
  • Bring water bottles with you whenever you leave the house…and remember to use them!
  • Have children drink a full cup of water 30-60 minutes before vigorous activity then continue with water breaks every 20 minutes
  • Popsicles!  The best are homemade, non-sugar loaded type, but there are many healthy options at the store

Some signs of dehydration are dizziness, dark urine, irritability, and lethargy.  Children are more prone to dehydration, so it is important to keep a watchful eye on their water intake. If you believe your child is mildly dehydrated then get them to a cool, shaded spot and have them drink water.  Preventing dehydration can be as easy following some of the tips above.  We want you to have a fun and safe summer!

Do You Need Business Insurance for Your Home-Based Business?

The short answer is yes.  Many people believe that a standard Homeowners Policy will cover a business out of the home.  This is an incorrect assumption.  Here is why it is important for you to have a Business Policy.  Let’s look at a popular home-based business, LuLaRoe, and some situations that could arise.

Not Covered by Homeowners, Covered by Business Owners: 

  • There is a fire and your LuLaRoe inventory is ruined
  • From that fire you not only lost your inventory, but your business income has been interrupted
  • Someone slips, falls and is injured at one of your parties at your house
  • The UPS delivery person slips on your property and is injured while delivering a box of LuLaRoe leggings
  • Someone from one of your LuLaRoe parties has a little too much to drink and gets in an accident on the way home
  • A hacker steals all of your LuLaRoe client information, including credit card numbers

Now that you want to protect yourself from these types of situations, you will need to set up a Business Policy.

Most popular options for coverage:

  • A Rider to your Homeowners Policy will provide limited coverage, but is a low cost option (this is better than nothing!).
  • A Business Owners Policy (BOP) will have more comprehensive coverage to protect against the losses above and many others.

According to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, 61% of at-home businesses do not have adequate coverage.  Do not be one of those people.  Call us today to find out more information about protecting your home-based business!  www.mancuso-nowak.com.