Family News and Events

Family News and Events Kilruddery Estate
Getting active at Kilruddery Estate

Getting the family outside the house to enjoy fun activities outdoors is certainly on many people’s minds after weeks of lockdown. It can become very easy to fall into a habit of staying in and cocooning from the world.

Alive Outside has just launched Family Fun Activities in Killruddery Estate, Bray, Co. Wicklow for every Saturday and Sunday in July.

The ‘Family Fun Package’ costs €120 for up to 6 people and lasts approximately 3.5 hours. It includes the following three activities: archery, bushcraft/outdoor survival skills, water sports including kayaking, water jump and splashdown slide. It is suitable for ages seven upwards. There is a minimum of four people and a maximum of six. For families of seven or more, they can email info@aliveoutside.ie

Tickets available for time slots from 9.15am-16.45pm. Reservations can be made online to enjoy activities as a family here.

Regular vaping can lead to lung injury

A US study has found that teens who regularly vape THC were more likely to develop e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI).

The findings, published in the Journal of Pediatric Pulmonology, also suggests teens with mental health conditions were at the greatest risk for vaping.

Emerging evidence has shown that reusable, pod-based e-cigarettes contain nearly 60% more nicotine than cigarettes, making them more addictive than smoking. These vaping devices, popular among teens, allows users to add flavours or chemicals such as THC – a compound in marijuana – to refillable cartridges.

“This is especially concerning because we know that this population is especially susceptible to addiction and substance abuse,” said Dr Fariba Rezaee, a co-author on the study and a paediatric pulmonologist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.

Children face indirect threats from Covid-19

While children and teenagers appear to be less likely to be afflicted with severe Covid-19, new research is warning of a number of indirect consequences the pandemic is having on their physical and mental health.

From delays in seeking proper care for illness unrelated to Covid-19 to a heightened risk of family violence, countries’ pandemic response measures have taken a substantial toll on the well-being of children around the world.

That’s according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on Thursday, by researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto and the University of Exeter in the UK.

The authors analysed data from around the world on the pandemic’s effect on children’s physical, social, and mental health and found indirect consequences that are both immediate and long-term.

Dr Peter Gill, one of the study’s authors and a clinician-investigator in the Division of Paediatric Medicine at SickKids, said reduced access to healthcare during the pandemic can result in potential adverse effects on children’s physical health.