With Valentine's Day coming soon, we need to remember to keep our hearts healthy!  Here are some helpful things you can do to make your heart happy!

• Jump Rope
• Swim
• Run
• Roller Blade
• Ride a Bike
• Walk
• Participate in Group Activities such as...
• Play Basketball
• Play Soccer
• Play Hockey
• Play Volleyball
• Play Softball, etc.

Do one of the activities above 15 to 45 minutes a day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Santa Claus is Coming to North Central Baptist Hopital

With Halloween just around the corner, there are going to be many children Trick-or-Treating for candy!  While Trick-or-Treating is always so much fun, we have to remember to be safe.  Here are some helpful things to remember when you are out and about on Halloween night:

Trick-or-Treaters:
- Carry a bright flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths.
- Use fresh flashlight batteries.  Check BEFORE you leave the house.
- Chemical GLOW IN THE DARK light sticks can be used along with flashlights. 
- Go to the bathroom just before going trick-or-treating.
- Always WALK, do not run.  You can slip and fall down...OUCH!
- Stay on the sidewalks.
- If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road.
- Cross only at corners, with adults.
- DO NOT wear roller blades to go out trick-or-treating.
- Trick-or-Treat only in familiar neighborhoods.
- Make sure your costumes don't drag on the ground.  You don't want to trip!
- Visit houses that have lights on, especially houses with Halloween decorations.
- Always use the front door.  NEVER go to the back of a house.
- Stay away from any animals that you don't know.
- HAVE FUN!!

Parents:
- Teach your child how to call 9-1-1 (or your local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.
- Make sure your child has a working flashlight with them for when it gets dark outside.
- Older children should trick-or-treat in groups, if not with an adult.
- Let them borrow the FULLY CHARGED family cell phone, with home number ready if an adult is not going to be with them.
- Know where your child is at all times and/or who they are with.
- Look at the wrapping on the candy carefully and toss out anything that looks like it has been tampered with when the children get home from trick-or-treating.
- Have fun and try to take a lot of pictures!

Happy Halloween!
Meg Dawson
NCBH Child Life Specialist

Allergy and infection control issues aside, the idea of dogs and other pets visiting children in hospitals seems to intuitively wonderful!  North Central Baptist Hospital has pet therapy dogs that come weekly to visit the pediatric floor and the pediatric intensive care unit.  Different volunteers that have been tested with their dog come and bring a little bit of cheer and much welcoming to the hospital.  Before the dog comes to the hospital they must have had a bath to make sure they are extra clean for our patients.  Pet therapy helps the patient and family feel a little bit more at home, helps them to relax and forget for a couple of minutes what is going on in the hospital and simply brings smiles to patients and families that are going through difficult times.  Children are able to pet the dog and the dog can even lie on a patient's bed, if the patient would like.  We currently have many different breeds of dog that come to the hospital ranging from a Labrador mix to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  If the patient is contagious, allergic or scared of the dog then we do not enter the room.  This is a great thing that our patients really seem to enjoy!

Join North Central Baptist Hospital for the 4th Annual Summer Celebration. 

Your kids will love the fun activities, and you'll enjoy informative exhibits.

- FREE t-shirt for the first 200 attendees who donate school supplies
- Great giveaways from are businesses
- FREE food and refreshments
- Meet local OB/Gyns and Pediatricians
- Games, crafts and much, much more!

When:  Saturday, August 1st

Time:  9 am to noon

Location:  North Central Baptist Hospital's Atrium Lobby
                    520 Madison Oak Drive
                    San Antonio, TX  78258

For more information, please call (210) 297-7005