Guest Post by: Rhonda
It’s summertime, and that means your kids are home and are ready to enjoy their summer. For them, summer spells F-U-N and for you, it probably spells W-O-R-R-Y. Here are tips for you to follow to keep them safe.
Shun the Sun
It would be easiest to say stay out of the sun, but we all know the likelihood of that is pretty slim. It is, after all, the time of year when the weather coaxes you outside to play. However, most adults receive 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 21, so you can see why it would be a good idea to minimize that exposure while you can.
- Cover Up – While outside, keep as much of your childrens’ skin covered as possible. Most regular clothing offers an SPF of about 5-9, but there are options (even swimwear) available with higher SPF. Have your children wear long sleeves if the
weather allows, and don’t forget those hats to protect those tender scalps! - Use Sunscreen – Most of you know this rule, but the question is whether you are using your sunscreen appropriately. Most sunscreens are approved for children over the age of six months and many are irritant-free, made especially for young skin. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF greater than 30 that shields skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Apply a generous amount (about a half of a shotglass full) 30-45 minutes before sun exposure, making sure to cover all exposed skin – that includes the face, ears, neck, scalp, and lips. You’ll also need to reapply about every two hours, as water, friction, and perspiration all lessen the effect of already-applied sunscreen.
- Protect Eyes – Besides guarding from the glare of the harsh sun, sunglasses shield eyes from damaging UV rays as well. Get your child some sunglasses and check the label to assure UVA/UVB protection.
With temperatures soaring during the summer and outside activity bustling, children are apt to sweat more, drink less, and dehydrate quickly. If you are planning to be outdoors for an extended period, be sure to pack plenty of water, electrolyte fluids (Gatorade, Powerade), and other non-caffeinated beverages to keep children well-hydrated. And be alert to signs of heat
exhaustion: fatigue, clammy skin, nausea, vomiting, and hyperventilating. If these occur, get your child inside, provide fluids and cooling measures, and call your pediatrician for further advice.
One more thing… temperatures inside a vehicle can quickly surpass atmospheric temperature in a matter of minutes. Don’t ever leave your child in the car on a hot day!
Avoid Injuries
Since kids are so active during the summer, the number of childhood injuries increases drastically. This number can be reduced with the right precautions.
- Bicycle/Rollerblading/Skateboarding – Though fun, these activities also bring with them numerous injuries every year to include: broken bones, abrasions, and even concussions! Fit your child properly with helmets and knee, elbow, and wrist pads
to protect them as much as possible should they take a tumble. And remember to supervise your children during these activities, especially if you live in a high-traffic area, as an out-of-control kiddo can easily venture into a busy street. - Fireworks – Believe it or not, about 2600 children are injured by fireworks every summer. Keep your children away from fireworks – they are intended for adult use – as serious injury can result. This is another activity that will require supervision to make sure children are a safe distance away from fireworks.
- Drowning – Drownings increase by 86% during the summer months, according to SAFEKids Coalition – that statistic alone should be enough to make any parent hyper-vigilant when their children are around water. Unfortunately, that is not always the
case, and each year, drownings occur (even for good swimmers). When around pools, always have an adult supervising children -do not assume someone else is watching your child! If necessary, provide properly-fitted lifejackets for children but remember
that lifejackets are not intended to be used in lieu of parental supervision. For boating activities, all children are required to wear lifejackets, but again, the proper fit is key. Personal flotation devices that are either too big or too small for your child can fail in a boating accident.
Though summer brings its fair share of things to be cautious about as a parent, you can ease the worry a bit if you do the necessary steps to protect your child. No, you won’t be able to prevent 100% of summertime injuries, but you will be putting up the best front possible, and at the end of a long, hot day, you’ll know the extra effort was worthwhile.
Have a fun, safe summer!
Rhonda is the author of Mommy Needs a Time-out. She is a full-time RN and has two beautiful daughters. Rhonda is also an excellent writer and shares all sorts of fun info on her blog! Check her out!
Brandy says
I learned something new reading this .. I was not aware 2600 kids were injured by fireworks.. wow! Good thing I am very very overprotective when it comes to the fireworks we see and would be too if one year we let them off. Sparklers scare me too .. the kids love them, but they scare me! LOL
Great tips!!