Hot on HuffPost Parents:
John Izzo: The Bullying Epidemic and How We Can End it
Christy Turlington Burns: Support Maternal and Child Health -- Donate…
Deadly trend: abusing inhalants
Filed under: Teens, Health & Safety: Babies, Alcohol & Drugs, Day Care & Education, That's Entertainment
It seems that the list of potential dangers to our children keeps growing on a daily basis. I'll admit, this is one issue that I hadn't given any thought to until I picked up the most recent copy of Family Circle magazine. According to them, sniffing common household aerosols is one of the fastest growing trends among young teens. Looking for a quick high or head rush, kids are inhaling toxic fumes of hair sprays, deodorants, room fresheners and the like. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America states that more than 4.5 million kids have tried this, with a high number not believing that it is dangerous or potentially lethal.Know the terminology. Keep an ear out for these terms, as kids today aren't simply sniffing the products. Many are snorting the products through their nose or mouths, others are "huffing" which is soaking a rag in the toxic spray and then covering their mouths with it. "Bagging" is filling a plastic bag with the fumes and inhaling. Very scary stuff.
They recommend talking to your kids about the dangers of this, without giving too many details - it may sound strange to say that, but you really don't want to give them any ideas or techniques.
YourVoice
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Tips for Leaving Your Kids with the Grandparents
So, you're going out of town and you need someone to take care of your children. How about grandma and grandpa? For parents, grandparents and children… it can be quite an adventure. Here's some words of advice from the experts.
-
Parenting: Older Kids and Gadgets
Family coach and motivational speaker Susan Stone Belton gives you tips on how to set technology limits for older kids.
-
Parenting: Younger Kids and Gadgets
Family coach and motivational speaker Susan Stone Belton gives you tips on how to set technology limits for younger kids.
-
The Importance of Teaching Kids About the Environment
As parents, we want our children to have the best of everything, but according to some experts, if we don't begin educating our children on the importance of preserving our environment, we may not have the best to give.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
1-29-2007 @ 4:43PM
Ethel said...This "trend" has been around for at minimum 25 years! When I was a kid the kids down the street routinely would spray aerosol paint into a bag and huff it. Some of my friends in grade school would sniff rubber cement. In rural areas huffing gasoline killed some boys who were about 8 years old. Its not new, it is easy, and very young kids are and have been doing it.
Toluene is a favorite (found in paint and paint cleaners), acetone, rubber cement, anything with rapidly evaporating organic chemicals. Which I think a lot of folks don't know love to intertwine with your DNA and interfere with its replication and translation (meaning mutations in somatic cells and potential cancer causing agent) as well as damaging brain cells.
Reply
1-29-2007 @ 5:33PM
Ann Adams said...Probably even longer, Ethel, but it's good to have the reminder.
It's one of the things the girls and I have talked about. As usual, they knew more than I. So far, they think it's dumb.
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 8:31AM
Paula said...I am surprised at the number of people who come through my register at work and have no idea what sniffing or huffing means. Things like spray paint, acetone, certian auto chemicals, white out, and super and airplane glue prompt a cashier to check the age of the person buying it, persons under 18 are refused the sale. I honestly don't think it would deter kids who intend to use it to huff from getting it.
Reply