Posted by: Gina Hounam, PhD on Feb 24, 2026


Fireworks are a fun part of Independence Day—but the loud booms can put your child’s hearing at risk. Learn how loud is too loud, why distance and hearing protection matter, and what signs to watch for after noisy events so your family can enjoy the show safely.

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Pediatric News You Can Use From America’s Largest Pediatric Hospital and Research Center

700 Children’s® features the most current pediatric health care information and research from our pediatric experts – physicians and specialists who have seen it all. Many of them are parents and bring a special understanding to what our patients and families experience. If you have a child – or care for a child – 700 Children’s was created especially for you.

Latest Posts

Newborn Car Seat Safety - What You Need to Know

Feb 16, 2016

The birth of a child is one of the most exciting, anticipated and memorable moments for a mother and family. The preparation beforehand, baby showers and packing for the hospital all add to the excitement and anticipation. Read More

Emergency! Testicular Torsion!

Jan 28, 2016

There aren’t many true emergencies in my field of pediatric urology, but torsion of the testicle is one of the more common ones that I face on a regular basis. Unfortunately, my experience is that most people are unaware of the issue, even though it can happen in 1 in 4,000 males under age 25. Read More

How to Choose the Right Summer Camp (Yes, in January!)

Jan 19, 2016

Right about now, parents across the country are feeling the pressure. It’s not because their New Year’s resolutions are beginning to slide, or that the neighbors are starting to notice that the holiday decorations are still up. Read More

fire escape plan

Fire Escape Plan: Can Your Family Get Out in Less Than Two Minutes?

Jan 14, 2016

As a mother and an injury research scientist, I’ve dedicated much of my career to keeping kids safe and reducing pediatric injuries, which are the leading cause of death for children. Read More

Early Sports Specialization: Does Benefit Outweigh Risk?

Jan 05, 2016

Early sports specialization is when a young athlete chooses a single sport to practice and play exclusively. This usually occurs prior to elementary or middle school, is nearly year-round, and is an attempt to gain early skills. Read More

Our Top 10 Posts of 2015

Dec 31, 2015

As we wrap up 2015, we want to take a moment to put a bow on the top ten 700 Children’s posts from the past year. This site is a wealth of information from our clinicians, researchers and staff and we thank them, and our readers, for sharing this space with us. Read More

Child blowing their nose into a tissue.

What Kind of Stuff Clears up a Stuffy Nose?

Dec 21, 2015

This time of year, clogged noses are usually caused by upper respiratory viral infections. In most cases, that means there isn’t a whole lot you can do to speed up the healing process, but you do have some options when it comes to stuffy symptom relief. Read More

Are Scented Candles and Air Fresheners Harming Your Child?

Dec 03, 2015

Scented candles and air fresheners are popular items that many families use inside their homes. But recent reports have found their way to the internet regarding the potential harm from these items, some of which are exaggerated or misconstrued, whereas others have more merit. Read More