It’s summertime again! It’s that time of the year when children are enjoying playing sports and games or simply doing other fun-filled activities out in the sun. Summer is a time for a lot of sun, sand, and tons of fun in water.
With a lot of summer action and fun revolving around pools or bodies of water, parents should exercise utmost caution and educate their children about the potential dangers of water activities.
More than one in five drowning victims are children 14-years-old and younger, and most incidents happen when a child falls into a pool or is left alone in the bathtub.
With all the outdoor fun comes an increased risk for other injuries too. Hence, it is important for parents to be aware of some safety tips to help keep children out of the emergency room.
Here are the must-know safety rules to keep your children safe this summer:
1. Protect Baby When in the Sun. First, avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and stay in a shaded area as much as possible when outside. Dress baby in a hat, sunglasses, and clothing made with a tight weave. For babies 6 months and older, use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 (SPF 30 and higher is even better) that offers both UVA and UVB protection.
2. Keep Kids Cool. As temperatures rise, heat exhaustion becomes a concern. Symptoms include fatigue, extreme thirst, and muscle cramping. If a person doesn’t cool down and rehydrate herself, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke (signs are headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and lack of sweat), which is potentially fatal.
3. Use Caution When in Water. Sadly, drowning is among the leading causes of accidental death in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says parents should not enroll children under age 4 in formal swimming lessons that teach water survival skills. If you want them to play in water, supervise them within arm’s reach, even in shallow water.
4. Guard Against Burns. About half of all accidental burns that occur each year happen to kids under age 4. That’s why you shouldn’t leave a small child unattended around hot appliances, such as a grill or a stove, and why you should keep kids at a distance while you’re cooking. Also keep sparklers away from children.
5. Avoid Poisonous Plants. To further help you sidestep these summer spoilers, here’s information on recognizing these plants: Poison ivy grows as a vine or shrub in the grass or on trees. Poison oak grows only as a shrub, usually in the western United States. Poison sumac is a tall shrub or small tree found in wooded areas of eastern states.
6. Beware of Bee Stings. Bees are attracted to flowers, so don’t put fragrances or floral-patterned clothing on kids. Likewise, don’t leave out open containers of food and drink, and if your kid’s clothes get stained, change them. Should a bee land on or next to your child, remain calm and gently blow it away.
7. Bypass Bug Bites. When outside, cover children with lightweight clothing and use mosquito netting over strollers and infant seats. Ticks are also a concern, so check your child’s body for them at the end of each day spent outside.
8. Avert Swimmer’s Ear. It’s an infection of the outer ear canal, and pain is the earliest symptom. As it progresses, you might see drainage from your child’s ear and extreme tenderness when her earlobe or the outer part of the ear is tugged.
9. Steer Clear of Food Poisoning. If you’re outside at a picnic and can’t wash your hands (or your kids’ hands), use an antibacterial hand gel. Clean all raw fruits and vegetables, and keep raw meats separate from cooked foods. Wash food-preparation surfaces and utensils well, and cook all food thoroughly.
10. Prepare First-Aid Kit Essentials. What better time to stock a first-aid kit than at the start of the summer season, when many accidents occur. Go to your nearest pharmacy and prep your First-Aid Kit.
These great summer safety tips were compiled by Dr. Sara DuMond, a practicing pediatrician and was featured on Parents.com. Check out this great article by Dr. DuMond’s to learn more about treatments and special concerns related to the above listed rules.
Hope you and your family will have a great, fun-filled summer now. Enjoy and stay safe!
Which of these tips do you think is the most important and applies to your family this summer?
