Summertime Safety
School is out, and the lazy days of summer finally have arrived, but did you know summer is referred to as “trauma season” by most doctors and nurses? All of the time spent outdoors can lead to many different injuries. Follow these tips to make sure you and your kids enjoy nothing but fun in the sun this summer.
Water Safety
Swimming is a fun way for the kids to cool off from the summer heat, but it also can be dangerous if important safety measures aren’t taken. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is the single leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1-4. Many injuries happen when children unexpectedly access water, which is why the AAP says the most important rule is to make sure all homes with a pool have a four-sided fence that completely surrounds the pool and isolates it from the house. Parents also should never leave children alone while near water, including bath tubs, pools, spas or other open water. Inexperienced swimmers need to wear life jackets, but do not rely solely on life jackets for protection.
Enrolling your kids in swimming lessons at an early age also can help keep them safe in the water. Research by the AAP shows that swim lessons are beneficial for children starting at age 1 and could possibly lower drowning rates. Check out your local YMCA or aquatic park to enroll your child in lessons.
Sun Safety
Kids spend hours a day soaking up the sun in the summertime, but before they head outside, make sure they have on sunscreen. Sunscreen of at least SPF 15 should be applied 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Keeping your kids covered up is another way to defend them from the sun’s harmful rays. Clothing with tightly woven fabrics, wide brimmed hats and sunglasses are additional ways to protect your kids.
Heat Exposure
Warm weather means outdoor sporting practices, games and tournaments begin. Just keep in mind those dog days of summer can very quickly cause heat exhaustion and dehydration. Signs of heat exhaustion include paleness, headache, dizziness, vomiting and nausea. Ways to prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration include staying hydrated, moving activities indoors during extremely high temperatures, wearing light colored and lightweight clothing and taking breaks every 20 minutes in high heat. If you fear your child has heat exhaustion, get him indoors, apply cool towels to his skin and get him hydrated immediately.
Bug Bites
Steer your children clear of pesky bug bites this summer by using insect repellent containing DEET, which repels both ticks and mosquitos. The AAP and CDC recommend children older than 2 months use 10 percent to 30 percent DEET. However, DEET should not be used on infants younger than 2 months of age. Just make sure to wash off the repellents when the kids come back inside.
Protect from Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac
We all love a family hike, but there’s nothing worse than coming home with poison ivy. Up to 85 percent of people are sensitive to the oil from poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac plants. To keep your kids safe from this itchy rash, show them what the plants look like so they can do their best to avoid them. Also, make sure to bathe your kids immediately after being near an area with these plants. All clothing also will need to be washed in hot water and detergent, because the plant oil can stay active and continue to cause a rash after the first exposure. If your child is exposed for the first time, she should see her pediatrician. Treatments include hydrocortisone cream, cool compress, oatmeal baths and Benadryl.
Regan Lyons is a freelance writer who lives in St. Joseph, MO, with her husband and 4-year-old daughter.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.