A Parent’s Guide to Summer Safety

Sun Protection and Heat Safety for Children

Lengthened exposure to the sun can lead to sunburn and can be detrimental if you are not prepared. Before going outside, put broad-spectrum sunscreen on your kid with an SPF of at least 15. If you plan on being outside all day, reapply sunscreen every two hours or after every time your kid gets wet from sweat or from the pool, sprinkler, or lake. Kids learn by following, so make sure they see you putting sunscreen on, too. Protective clothing shields them from the sun’s strong rays. Sunglasses, light, long-sleeved shirts, and wide-brimmed hats are all acceptable. This is especially important for babies 6 months and younger as their sensitive skin is thinner and isn’t developed enough to handle sunscreen.

Proper hydration is a must for preventing heat illnesses this summer. Make sure your kid is drinking enough water before they go outside. They should drink an 8 oz. cup of water for however many years old they are—so if they’re seven years old, they should drink seven 8 oz. cups of water/day. Once they’re nine years old and older, they should drink eight cups/day at a minimum. And, if you’re outside for long periods of time, bring an enclosed water bottle along they can drink from during the day. If you’re noticing signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion, bring them inside and give them water to sip on. If they are showing signs of heat stroke, such as slurred speech, nausea, or confusion, seek medical attention immediately, as heat stroke can be fatal if not treated.

Water Safety Guidelines and Swimming Precautions

One way to beat the heat is to jump in the pool or the lake. However, swimming can quickly turn dangerous if you and your child are not taking the proper precautions. Below is a list of things to keep in mind while your kids are swimming.

● Swimsuit Colors: Bright neon shades are the best colors to look for when picking a swimsuit with your child. If your child goes underwater or is drowning, it’s much easier to spot them if they wear a neon orange or pink suit. A light blue or green suit will blend in with the water.
● Stay in Arms Reach: For young children or those who aren’t proficient swimmers, it’s best practice to stay within arm's reach when they’re in the water. If they start to struggle, you can quickly grab them and help them stay above water.
● Lifejackets: If you’re out boating or in a situation where you can’t be near your little ones and inexperienced swimmers, make sure they always wear a lifejacket to prevent drowning.
● Establish a “Water Watcher”: Choose a trustworthy adult to keep an eye on the kids while they swim. This way, you ensure there’s always someone watching and can act fast if a kid starts to drown.
● Swim Lessons: Lastly, signing your kids up for swimming lessons is a surefire way to get them ready for a summer of pool and lake trips. Lessons will give you and your kids the confidence to swim safely and independently.

Common Summer Injuries and Ailments: Maintaining Safety with Prevention Strategies

It’s no secret that kids play hard. Cuts and bruises are almost inevitable after spending a day outside. However, there are steps you can take to maintain safety and prevent your little ones from getting serious injuries or ailments this summer.

• Head and Neck Injuries: Riding a bicycle without a helmet, jumping on a trampoline
  without a net, or diving into the shallow end of a pool are common causes of head and
  neck injuries. It’s important you educate your child on how to play safely to avoid these
  injuries.
  • Biking: Always wear a helmet when riding a bike. Helmets greatly reduce the risk of head injury.
  • Jumping on a Trampoline: It’s safest for kids to jump on a trampoline with a net and only allow one child to jump at a time. This reduces the risk of them falling off and injuring themselves. When playing on the trampoline, always make sure an
    adult is watching. Lastly, place the trampoline in an open area of the yard, away from trees and other structures.

  • Diving: Kids might not always understand that there are different depths throughout a pool or lake. It’s imperative you educate them on where it’s safe to jump in and where it’s not. You should also teach them never to jump headfirst. This way, you can avoid your kid jumping into a shallow end and injuring themselves by hitting the bottom.

    *Note: If your kid does hurt their head, assess them for these symptoms: confusion,
    throwing up, irritability, seizures, or headache. These are all signs of a serious head injury
    that will require advanced medical attention. If your child is showing signs of a head injury,
    follow these steps:
    ● Do not move them
    ● Support their head, neck, and back
    ● Call 911

• Burn Injuries: Barbecues and bonfires are great ways to enjoy the outdoors in the summer. However, it’s vital your kids know the rules. Make sure your child is at least 3 feet away from the fire or grill at all times. Even when the fire goes out, the coals can still be hot for days, so make sure they know not to touch them. Keep lighters or matches under adult supervision so the kids won’t play with them. Similarly, with fireworks, don’t let your children near them, and definitely don’t allow them to light them. It’s in your best interest to not use fireworks at home ever and instead watch fireworks at a show run by professionals.
• Poison Ivy Rash: By touching poison ivy, one can develop a rash that lasts for weeks. When your kids are playing outside, make sure they know to stay far away from poison ivy, which has a distinct three-leaflet cluster on each leaf. It’s easiest to follow the old adage, “Leaves of three, let it be.” If they do come in contact with the plant, wash their skin immediately to prevent a rash from developing.