Image of white star linking to Federal Citizen Information Center's Main Page

SITE SEARCH:

Books
Cars -- Buying, Selling, Car Maintenance, Insurance
Computers -- Buying, Getting On-line
Education -- School Loans, Planning for College, Alternative Ways to Earn a Degree
Employment -- Tips on finding a job, Occupation information, Workplace rights, Pensions
Family--
Federal Programs -- Social Security, Medicare, Veteran's Benefits, Buying Government Property
Food -- Nutrition for better health, Safe food handling and preparation
Health -- Drugs and Health Aids, Dieting and Nutrition, Medical Problems
Housing -- Financing and Sales, Home Maintenance
Money -- Credit, Saving, Investing, Retirement Planning, Protecting your money
Small Business -- Starting a Business, Small Business Administration, Patents and Copyrights
Travel -- Foreign Travel Requirements, National Parks, Travel Advice, Flying rights and advice
And more... -- Having trouble finding something? Check here or go to our search!

Resources
Consumer Action Website -- Tips, advice, listings of what to do and who to call with a consumer problem
Image of a button linking to the National Contact Center
Image of a button linking to FirstGov for Kids
Recalls -- Federal and Private Sector Recalls on Products
Scams and Frauds -- A listing of the latest scams and recalls announced by Federal Agencies and Consumer Groups
 
 

Image of FirstGov.gov logo linking to the U.S. Government's Official Web Portal.
 
White House logo

 
FCIC Home Page
In The News PagePress Room PageFAQ PageShop SiteLinks PageFun StuffAbout Us PageContact Us
Home > Consumer Focus Archive > Grandparents Rasing Grandchildren
space
Consumer Focus: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
space
Image of a grandparent and grandchild

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Many older Americans approaching or in retirement find themselves caring for and raising their grandchildren. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2000 there were over 4.5 million children (under 18 years of age) living in homes maintained by their grandparents. The number of children in grandparent-headed households has increased by 30% since 1990. While the majority of grandparents raising grandchildren are between ages 55 and 64, 20% to 25% are over age 65. So even if you're not the full-time caregiver, be prepared by learning more about:

Top
space
Image of a child getting a check-up

Health

Immunizations

It is important that children get their shots at the right times to prevent diseases that can cause serious health problems and, possibly, permanent damage. By age two, your grandchildren should get shots for all the major childhood diseases. You will need to keep a record of immunizations to prove they are up to date so they will be allowed to enter child care or school, as well as when they will need their next round of shots. To help you keep track, the 2003 Childhood and Adolescent Immunization and Catch-Up schedules are available on the CDC's National Immunization Program website.

Nutrition

Good nutrition is important - those who don't eat well or are hungry are more tired and have difficulty thinking and learning. Use the Dietary Guidelines or information in the Food Guide Pyramid for information on daily calorie intake, recommended daily allowances for vitamins and other minerals, serving sizes, and more. Try these tips to help your grandchild eat healthier:

  • Make eating fun! Children enjoy helping in the kitchen and are more likely to eat foods they help prepare.
  • Bake or broil foods instead of frying.
  • When shopping, ask your grandchild to choose a new fruit or vegetable and then invite them to help you wash and prepare the food.
  • Encourage your grandchild to invent a new snack or sandwich from some healthful ingredients you provide.

Lead Poisoning

Your grandchildren can get lead poisoning when they eat paint chips or flakes, breathe paint dust, or drink water from old lead water pipes. The biggest source of lead in the home is lead-based paint used in walls, floors, and radiators in some older homes. Lead poisoning can cause brain damage, hearing loss, or developmental disabilities. To reduce your grandchildren's exposure to lead, get them tested, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any hazards you may have. Here are some steps to protect your family from lead hazards:

  • Keep play areas clean. Wash bottles, pacifiers, toys, and stuffed animals regularly.
  • Clean up paint chips immediately. Use a mop or sponge with warm water and an all-purpose cleaner for cleaning floors, windowsills and other surfaces. Never mix ammonia and bleach products together since they can form a dangerous gas.
  • Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
  • Prepare nutritious, low-fat meals high in iron and calcium (such as spinach and dairy products). Children with good diets absorb less lead.

Top
space
Image of a child hitting his head on the corner of a table

Safety

Childproofing Your Home

Grandchildren are most vulnerable to accidents when they are under five but many incidents can be prevented. There are a variety of things you can do (like the installation of child safety devices) to keep your grandchildren safe while they are in your home.

  • Kitchen dangers include burns and access to dangerous items stored in cabinets or drawers.
  • Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers to safeguard household cleaning supplies and sharp objects such as knives.
  • Keep appliance cords from dangling over the edge of the counter.
  • Bathroom dangers can include falls, drowning, and accidental poisoning from medications.
  • Installing anti-scald devices for regulating water temperature can help prevent burns, or set water temperature on the water heater at 120 degrees F.
  • Apply non-skid strips to the floor of the bathtub or shower, use non-skid rugs, and install a toilet-locking device. Remember - it takes only two inches of water for a young child to drown, so never leave a child unattended in the bathroom.
  • Safety latches and locks on cabinets can help prevent children from gaining access to medicines - it is also important to use childproof caps on medicines if possible.
  • Living Area dangers involve falls against hard furniture, access to electrical outlets, and, for living space on upper floors, falls from windows.
  • Use child gates to block access to stairways or rooms that have hazards in them.
  • Place tables or chairs away from windows or install childproof window latches. Tie window shade or mini-blind cords up so they are out of the reach of children as they present a choking hazard.
  • Corner and edge bumpers can be used on hard or sharp edges of furniture.
  • Outlet covers and plates can help protect children from electrical shock and possible electrocution.

* Smoke Detectors are essential safety devices for protection against fire deaths and injuries. A carbon monoxide (CO) detector can help prevent CO poisoning. Consumers should install CO detectors near sleeping areas in their homes.

Toy Tips

Be a cautious shopper when buying toys for your grandchildren. Make sure the toys you are buying are age-appropriate and match the child's interests and ability levels. Here are some steps to fun and safe play:

  • Be especially careful when choosing toys for children under three. Select toys that are free of small pieces and hanging cords or strings, are lightweight, have no sharp edges or points, and are non-toxic.
  • Test the toy to determine if it will be too loud for children since toys with loud or shrill sounds can frighten babies and very young children, and can also damage hearing.
  • Carefully read instructions for assembly and use. Always remove and throw away all packaging from a toy before giving it to a baby or small child.
  • Check toys every few months to determine their safety. Make any repairs immediately or throw away damaged toys.
  • Store toys properly and safely. Toy boxes should have air holes and lids that stay open by themselves.
  • Supervise children when they play and set good examples of safe play.

Outdoor Activities

  • Playgrounds can have hazards that can contribute to serious injuries. Check that the ground underneath play equipment is soft enough to cushion falls. Look for sharp points or edges, or protruding bolt ends which can cut children. Beware of tripping hazards such as tree roots, rocks or other unlevel surfaces that can cause both kids and adults to fall.
  • Avoid using clothes with drawstrings - stringed items around the neck can catch on pieces of equipment and cause strangulation.
  • Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except the automobile. More than 70% of children ages 5 to 14 ride bicycles and this age group accounts for more than 5% of all bicycle-related injuries. A bicycle helmet is a necessity, not an accessory. It should fit comfortably and snugly, but not too tightly. Help your grandchild learn the rules of the road and to obey all traffic laws. Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against. Cycling should be restricted to sidewalks and paths until a child is at least age 10 and able to show that he or she rides well and observes the basic rules of the road.

* Safety gear, such as helmets or elbow and knee pads, should be given along with sports related gifts, such as skates or bicycles.

Top
space

Other Resources

This is just a brief overview. For more information on grandparents raising grandchildren check out these resources.

Read these publications online or order them from FCIC:

Websites*:

* Names of resources and organizations included in this online article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by the Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory.

*If you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible for the content of these websites.

Top
space

Enjoy this month's Focus?  Share this information with a friend and spread the word!

Enter recipient's e-mail address:

We will not retain or use this information for any other purpose.
space

For more information on other popular consumer issues check out FCIC's Consumer Focus Archive.

Top
Site Map - Text Version -  Privacy Policy - Security Statement

This service is provided by the Federal Citizen Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration. If you have a comment or question, e-mail us.

  gsa logo