School bells are beginning to ring. Summer has come to an end and the schools are filled with eager kids ready to see their friends and show off their newest outfit. Parents have already prepared to make the transition from lounging on the couch to waking up early with fun supplies and yummy lunches. AFM is here to cover all of the bases for you and your family. While you might have all of the supplies the teachers requested, is your child prepared for outside of the classroom?

Backpack First Aid Kit

Be prepared for the inevitable scrapes and bruises with a homemade first-aid kit. According to the American Red Cross, a complete first-aid kit should include:

• Adhesive bandages of various sizes
• Sterile gauze pads of various sizes
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Nonlatex gloves
• Adhesive tape
• Breathing barrier
• Thermometer
• Tissues
• Tweezers
• Instant cold compress
• Absorbent compress dressings
• Emergency First Aid guide
• List of emergency phone numbers

For the bigger cuts and injuries, visit one of our three Urgent Care clinics:

CSU Office/Urgent Care – 151 W Lake St., Ste.1500, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Horsetooth Office/Urgent Care – 3519 Richmond Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80526

Windsor Office/Urgent Care – 1683 Main St., Windsor, CO 80550

Staying Healthy

During the first few weeks of school, kids will face a heightened risk of getting sick. Unfortunately, kids’ immune systems aren’t fully developed and this can lead to them easily catching a cold after being away from exposure to germs all summer. But there are some steps you can implement to ensure you and your kids have a fighting chance of beating the cold and flu season.

• Wash your hands regularly
• Keep hydrated throughout the day – try to get at least 8 glasses a day, but shoot for the stars and drink 12 glasses a day!
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Exercise and stay active – it is still warm enough to get outside for a couple more months
• Flu shots – AFM will host 3 flu shot clinics in September and October at our Horsetooth and Windsor Urgent Cares

Well Child Appointments

Get all your back to school needs in during an easily scheduled and quick appointment with a provider at our CSU, Horsetooth and Windsor offices. You can even get a sports physical completed when and other necessary paperwork for the school year.

Vaccinations

Whether they are going into 1st  or 9th  grade, you and your kiddos are going to need to make sure they are up to date on any school-required vaccines.  Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment require that children receive these vaccines before entering into childcare or school!

Vaccines required to enter childcare

• Hepatitis B.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTap).
• Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib).
• Inactivated poliovirus (IPV).
• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) or polysaccharide (PPSV23).
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR).
• Varicella (chicken pox).

Vaccines required to enter school (K-12)

• Hepatitis B.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTap).*
• Inactivated poliovirus (IPV).*
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR).*
• Varicella (chicken pox). *
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap).**

*Students 4 through 6 years of age are required to have their final doses of DTaP, IPV, MMR and Varicella prior to kindergarten entry.

**Students are required to have Tdap prior to entry into 6th grade. One dose of Tdap is required for 6th through 12th grades.