It’s the season kids everywhere yearn for.
For kids, summer is often a time of freedom, fun with friends, vacations and ice cream. For parents who are exhausted from a busy school year, it can be a welcome reprieve from a tight schedule.
After a long winter, soaking in the sun is one of best parts of the season.
Before you dive headfirst into summer activities, give yourself a refresher on some important health and safety tips for your family.
Don’t let sunburns, rashes, concussions or heat exhaustion ruin your summer fun. Taking some precautions will ensure a fun time and great memories, instead of a trip to the emergency room.
Endeavor Health
Plan now to make this summer fun, safe and memorable for everyone in your family. Before you head outside, run through this safety checklist:
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. A heat index at or above 90°F can put your health at risk. “Minimize time in the heat, take regular cool-off breaks and stay hydrated,” Galyean said. “Encourage kids to drink water regularly — even before they say they’re thirsty.”
- Keep skin sunburn-free. Keep yourself and your children slathered in sunscreen — even on cloudy days — to prevent sunburn. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is (at least) SPF 30. Apply it 15-30 minutes before going outdoors, every two hours, and after swimming or sweating. Have your child wear a hat and sunglasses with UV protection, and limit sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm when UV rays are strongest.
- Treat skin rashes properly. Summer months can lead to itchy, irritated skin — and sometimes skin reactions and infections. Learn how to identify plants to avoid. “Call your primary care provider if your rash covers your body, is accompanied by a fever, comes on suddenly and spreads quickly, begins to blister, is painful or infected,” Galyean said.
- Protect yourself from bites and stings. Insect bites and stings are common in summer. Unfortunately, some mosquitoes and ticks can leave more than irritating, itchy bumps — they can spread disease (e.g., Zika virus, Lyme disease). Protective clothing and insect repellents are your best line of defense. Check your head and body, and your children, for ticks after being outdoors. Have an emergency care plan in place if your child has a known allergy.
- Practice water safety. Drowning is the number two cause of accidental death in children ages 15 and under. Always keep your eyes on your child while they’re in and around water. Use proper safety devices and designate an adult pool watcher during parties. Teach children to always ask permission before going in the water. One way to tell if someone is drowning is to ask them “are you okay?” If they can’t answer or if they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them.
- Gear up to prevent injuries. Innocent fun can sometimes result in sprains, strains and broken bones. Make sure kids wear protective gear, including a proper-fitting helmet, when riding a bike or scooter, skating and skateboarding. Be extra careful with trampolines and bounce houses.
- Know how to handle a concussion. A concussion can happen outside of a sport, such as falling off a bike and hitting your head on the sidewalk. Know how to recognize, respond to, and prevent a concussion. “All concussions are serious, so never ignore a head injury, no matter how minor,” Galyean said.
- Leave the big fireworks to the pros. Fireworks are a staple of summer celebrations. But even seemingly harmless drug store fireworks, such as poppers and sparklers, can cause serious injuries if they’re not used safely.
