(Provided photo)

At this time of year, I find myself saying thanks for a lot of things. For example, I want to thank all of you viewers who have supported my “First with Kids” weekly tips over the years.

I, too, am thankful my segments have appeared on radio, TV and print media for over 29 years!

Even more importantly, I want to thank children who have parents that have set great examples for them by doing such things as:

1. Wearing seat belts and bike helmets and insisting their kids do likewise.

2. Not smoking or at least trying not to expose their children to the risks of passive or second-hand tobacco smoke.

3. Reading to their children every night or having their children read to them.

4. Keeping their child’s scheduled appointments with doctors and dentists so that health screenings are on schedule.

5. Safety-proofing and reinspecting their homes for injury and fire prevention on a regular basis.

6. Putting their babies to sleep on their backs rather than their stomachs to reduce the risk of sudden unexpected infant death.

7. Getting immunized, including against COVID-19 and flu, and making sure all your children’s immunizations are given on schedule and are up to date.

I also hope that all children will be thankful at this time of year for what they have – be it family, friends, teachers, food to eat and even clothes to wear and think about ways of helping others who may not be as fortunate at this time of year.

Finally, I hope that everyone will remember that improving the health of your children is a Thanksgiving feast unto itself and something for which we can all be thankful.

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Lewis First, MD, is Chief of Pediatrics at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine. You can also Catch “First with Kids” weekly on WOKO 98.9FM and NBC5