By Dr. Daniel Ransom, Pediatrician, Baylor Scott & White
Summer is marked by hours of sunshine and longer days full of playing in the pool or backyard. Studies show that it’s great for kids’ health and development to spend time outside. However, it is important to keep in mind the following tips for keeping your child safe.
Summer Sun Safety You’ve probably heard sunscreen is a must for keeping your child’s skin safe from the sun’s damaging rays, but there are several other ways to protect them.
Apply sunscreen generously at least 30 minutes before going outside with SPF 30 or higher, reapplying every two hours.
Wear clothing with SPF built-in. Invest in some wide-brimmed hats, and try to avoid direct sun from 10am until 4pm.
Shop for sunglasses your kids love, so they’ll be excited to wear them. Look for a pair that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays.
Remember that just because you can’t see the sun, doesn’t mean the rays aren’t getting through. Rays reflect off the sand and water at the beach or pool.
Protection from Bugs Bugs are on the uptick around the warm summer months. Many of them carry harmful diseases and viruses that have serious side effects.
Apply bug spray. Keep your kids safe from ticks and mosquitoes which can carry things like Lyme disease and the West Nile virus. Check to be sure your repellents are made with DEET and handle it with caution, avoiding contact with kids’ hands or face to prevent ingestion. If you’re uncertain or nervous about which one to choose, talk to your pediatrician.
Dress your kids in long pants and long sleeve shirts, especially if you’ll be outside at dusk when more bugs are around.
Don’t leave stagnant pools of water in your yard. These pools serve as the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Dehydration Prevention It’s important to remember to encourage your kids to take frequent water breaks. Kids should drink water before they go outside to play and every time they take a break, about every 15 to 20 minutes. If it’s especially hot or humid, you can bring a spray bottle to periodically spray kids.
Add a Helmet Any time your kid is riding something with wheels, remember to strap on a helmet to reduce head injury from crashes. Set a good example by wearing your helmet when bike riding.
Keep their Food Safe Bacteria grow best in warm and humid weather, so it’s no surprise they grow more during the summer months. Eating meals outside is a fun way to change up your routine during the summer, but be sure to take the following precautions:
- Always wash your hands before preparing food.
- Don’t cross-contaminate raw meats by letting them come in contact with other food.
- Check the temperature, and don’t leave food unrefrigerated for more than one to two hours.
Vigilance to Prevent Drowning According to the CDC, there are around 10 drownings every day, and one in five are children ages 14 and under. In the summer months, drownings increase as much as 90 percent. If you own a swimming pool, it’s critical you put safety measures in place to protect your kids.
- Put a fence and self-closing gate around your pool with locks and alarms.
- Never leave kids alone or unsupervised by an adult.
- Remember drownings can be silent.
- Learn CPR — it could make a difference between life and death.
- Don’t use flotation devices — they can give a false sense of security.
- Don’t ever assume someone else will be watching and don’t allow distractions like phones.
Dodging Trampoline Danger Tens of thousands of visits to the ER each year are trampoline-related injuries. Never let more than one child use the trampoline at a time, and don’t allow kids younger than 6 to play on a full-sized trampoline.
Be Careful when Working in the Yard Don’t allow children to ride on lawn mowers or play in the vicinity of lawn equipment. Children under age 12 shouldn’t be allowed to use push mowers and children under 16 shouldn’t be allowed to operate ride-on lawn mowers.
Safeguard Playgrounds If you have a playground, be sure the ground underneath it is soft enough to cushion a fall and absorb some of the impact. It’s recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that you use at least 9 inches of mulch or wood chips.
