SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

Make your summer is fun and safe with these tips from your pediatrician.

FUN IN THE SUN

• Babies under 6 months have difficulty cooling themselves off and are at high risk of severe sunburns and overheating.  Avoid sun exposure when possible and dress infants in lightweight, long sleeved shirts and pants.  Use a wide brimmed hat.  When sun is unavoidable a minimal amount of PABA free sunscreen may be applied to small areas avoiding their eyes and palms. 

• For all children the best line of defense against the sun is covering up.  Wear light weight cotton clothing and a hat with a three inch brim.  Sunglasses with 99-100% UV ray block protect the eyes.  Stay in the shade and avoid the sun at peak intensity between 10 am and 4 pm.  Use PABA free SPF 15 or greater sunscreen.  Use about one ounce per sitting for an older child and reapply every two hours and after swimming and sweating.  (Caution with BUG and SUN combinations as sunscreen must be reapplied frequently and DEET in mosquito repellants should not be reapplied.)

BEAT THE HEAT

• When there is high heat or humidity the intensity of activities lasting longer than 15 minutes should be reduced. Also limit the intensity of exercise when starting programs in a warmer climate than you are used to. Gradually increase activity during a period of 10 to 14 days to become acclimated to the heat.

• Drink plenty of fluids BEFORE prolonged physical activity.  Stay hydrated during exercise by drinking 5 ounces of water or flavored sport’s drink every 20 minutes for children weighing up to 130 pounds and 9 ounces every 20 minutes for teens weighing more.  Make sure that your child is drinking even if they do not feel thirsty.

• Wear one layer of lightweight, light colored clothing.  If clothing becomes saturated with sweat change to dry clothes.

• Call your physician if any symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke develop.  These include:  nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, dizziness, fainting, fever, racing heart, confusion, seizures or altered mental status.

COOL IN THE POOL

• Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.

• All pools should have a four foot or higher fence that does not have any openings that a small child could get over, under or around.  Gates should self latch and be out of reach of children.

• Keep rescue equipment and a telephone near the pool.

• Avoid inflatable swimming aids (“floaties”).  They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can create a false sense of security.

• Children are typically not developmentally ready to swim until 4 years of age and whenever in the water an adult must be within arms length, providing “touch” supervision.

BUG OFF

• Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair spray on your child.

• Avoid stagnant pools, uncovered foods and blooming flowers.

• To remove a visible stinger or tick from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.  More embedded ticks should be removed using a tweezers and grasping the proboscus (nose) and not the  thorax (chest) or head as this can squeeze any infective organisms from the ticks salivary glands into the child.  Pull them out in one quick jerk.  Always watch the site for rash and your child for fever.

• Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective.  DEET concentration may range from less than 10% to over 30%.  The higher the percentage the longer the protection, but there is a peak benefit at 30%.  Products containing 10% DEET should provide protection for 2 hours and those with 25% up to 5 or 6 hours.  The maximum concentration recommended for children is 30% once daily.  Avoid the eyes and mouth when applying and also avoid the hands of children who chew on their fingers or are eating. 

• Bug spray is not recommended for infants less than 2 months.  Avoidance or screened in areas are a better alternative.

LAWN MOWING SAFETY

• Children younger than 16 should not be allowed to use riding lawn mowers and those less than 12 should not use push mowers.

• Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones, sticks or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn prior to mowing. 

• Anyone mowing should wear hearing and eye protection and sturdy, closed toe shoes.  Never use a mower in reverse.  Try to use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving if the handle is let go.  Never let children ride as passengers on riding mowers.

ON THE MOVE

• Get the helmet habit.  Your child should never be allowed to ride a bike, scooter, skateboard or other moving toys without a helmet and other protective gear.  This should be enforced no matter how short the ride.  Many accidents happen right in your own driveway.  Children learn from their parents so put on your helmet too. 

• Buy a bike helmet that meets CPSC safety standards.  It should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards and you should not be able to move it in any direction. 

• Never ride in or near traffic.