While summer may look a little different this year
with changes to vacation plans, camps and other family activities, one thing is
for sure: it is hot! If your kids are
like mine, they are begging you to go the beach, the playground and hiking. Maybe
they are participating in outside youth camps, classes or sports. So how do we
keep our kiddos safe
this summer when all they want to do is be on the go outside and have fun?
Practice Safe Skin
It doesn’t matter if it is sunny or overcast, make
sure to apply
sunscreen to your children before they head out for the day.
For the best protection, apply 20 minutes before they go outside to play or
swim and re-apply every two hours (more so as needed if they are swimming or
sweating).
Keep Your Cool
This summer has been especially hot. Keep your kids
cool by offering lots of water, keep them in lightweight clothes and limit the
amount of time they spend outside in extreme heat (90ยบF or over). Heat stroke and or dehydration is
serious business, so find other ways to stay cool and beat the heat on the
hottest of days.
Check for Ticks
You don’t have to be in the deep woods to get a tick. I
make sure to check my girls for ticks daily, even if they have only been in our
yard. Ticks can be in obvious spots or hidden behind knees or in the creases of
ears. If you do find a tick, don’t panic, click
here
to learn how to safely remove it.
Watch the Water
I can’t stress this enough – keep a close eye on your
children at all times when they are in a body of water. Even if they are the
strongest of swimmers or they are in a shallow body of water. Drowning
is the leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1-4 and second
highest cause of accidental death among children 5-9 in the United States.
Follow the Rules of the Road
If your kiddo isn’t at the pool or beach, they may be
hitting the road on their bikes, rollerblades or scooters. Always make sure
that they are wearing
a helmet and ensure that they know the ‘rules of the road’
(walkers facing traffic, bikers riding with traffic). Accidents happen but helmets will protect
against brain and head injuries.
Role modeling these safety behaviors as adults and parents will help our children grow up healthy and safe.
Happy Summer! J
Jessica Mathews,
Children’s Services Program Specialist
Division of Health Care Services
