Altitude Physical Therapy October 2018

Costume Safety Tips for Kids HEADLINE: BEST IN SHOW OR HALLOWEEN HAZARD?

risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing the best Halloween costume. LOOK FOR FIRE-RESISTANT COSTUMES. Candles inside jack-o’-lanterns and other open flames are everywhere on Halloween night, so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes, wigs, and accessories. The same goes when you’re buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire- resistant is not the same as fireproof . While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause serious injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. TEST MAKEUP FIRST. Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, Finding Altitude was another case of doing her research to find the perfect fit, and she was immediately intrigued by working with only one patient an hour. “That’s a pipe dream in Florida,” Elizabeth explains, where most clinicians see two or even three patients at once. “The prospect of focusing on one patient is really what attracted me.” Before taking the job, Elizabeth gave us a test run. “In my fashion, of course, I came and shadowed for a day. I saw how the office ran, how other clinicians interacted, and how patients liked it. I knew after the first hour that it was going to be a good fit,” Elizabeth says. Originally from Florida, Elizabeth and her husband, Matt, yearned to live out West, closer to the mountains. “We love the outdoors and traveling,” Elizabeth explains. When Matt was offered a job in Idaho, they eagerly made the move. On the weekends, you’ll find Elizabeth and Matt off on their next outdoor adventure, most likely to a national park. They tied the knot in Zion, where the scenery required little decoration. “Nature did all the work,” Elizabeth says of their wedding. It sounds like their future has much more of that in store. “Our goal is to visit all 60 national parks in our lifetime. We’ve been to 15 so far,” she says.

which can obscure a child’s vision. However, a lot of costume makeup isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Before letting your child cover their face in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the back of their hand first. PRACTICE PROP SAFETY. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material. And if your child wants to wear their Halloween costume to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble. Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.

For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a wildcat, or their favorite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain

ELIZABETH’S PASSION FOR PT AND THE OUTDOORS EMBARKING ON A LIFETIME OF ADVENTURE

Over the summer, we welcomed another skilled PT who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our fantastic team. Although she’s a new face at our clinics, she’s no newbie to the profession. Elizabeth has been practicing PT for seven years after a job shadow in college revealed that this was the role for her. “When I started undergrad, I had in mind that I would go to vet school. I really loved animals and wanted to do something in the medical field,” Elizabeth explains. She soon realized she didn’t want to be in charge of putting animals down, so she switched majors and tried a number of careers on for size. “I did a lot of job shadowing and landed in a PT office. I fell in love with it,” Elizabeth reveals. She enjoys interacting with patients, something that comes naturally to her because of her extroverted personality. “I love that you get to interact with people for a full hour and get to know them,” she says.

We’re so happy to welcome Elizabeth to our team. Say hi next time you’re at our clinic — and share your favorite destinations in Idaho.

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