Summer Reminders!

As summer begins to wind down, remember that August is considered the warmest month of the year so it is important to remain cautious of summer risks.

• A Hot Car Is No Place for Kids. It only takes 10 minutes for a car to heat up 20 degrees. While some assume that cracking a window helps, partial ventilation only helps a little. A child’s body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult’s and once a child’s temperature reaches 107 degrees, heat-related death may result. Heatstroke can happen when the temperature outside is as low as 57 degrees. 

•  Be Cautious On the Playground. The sun can cause playground equipment to become very hot, which could lead to burns on kids’ sensitive skin. A quick touch test before playtime begins helps. 

•    Humid Weather Is Dreadful for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers. Watery eyes, congestion, runny noses, sinus headaches, and sneezing increases as the air quality decreases with humidity. Use air purifiers in the home to enhance breathing and use the air conditioners to keep windows closed. Note: shower before bed to remove access pollen off of the body and use neti-pots to clear nasal passageways if congested.

•   Mosquitos Fly During Warm Weather. Pick the right bug repellant. DEET, a common ingredient in most bug sprays, can be about 10% to work. For longer days outdoors, 20% DEET proves more effective. Always consult a physician before applying bug repellent to children under the age of three.

•     The Warmest Month Can Bring the Hottest Sun. Sunscreen, containing at least 15 SPF, should be applied before outdoor activity and reapplied according to the label instructions. Along with skin protection, UV-filtered lenses should be used to protect eyes from sun exposure, some say brown lens are best.  

ABC’S of Pool Safety

Swimming is a great way to cool off during the summer months. Unfortunately, drowning is the number one killer of children under the age of five. According to Natalie Lane, Director of the ER Department at Children’s Hospital of Georgia, this statistic is even more alarming because young children are more likely to drown in a residential swimming pool than any other body of water. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents should avoid installing a swimming pool until children are over the age of five. However, if parents and caregivers will engage young children in water activities, be sure to follow the ABC’S of pool safety:

• Abide by the rules. Never leave children alone in or near a pool. There should always be an adult who can swim present at all times. In addition to a present adult, all children should be wearing a secure life vest. When finished, don’t forget to remove all pool toys and floats from the pool area that could attract children.
• Be prepared. Teach children how to swim as early as possible, or at least the basic water safety tips. Since an adult will be supervising the children during pool play, CPR and rescue breathing certification is recommended. If at any point during the day a child is missing, always check the pool area first.
• Childproof the pool. For residential pools, it’s very important to install a self-latching and self-closing fence around the pool area. Safety covers should also be placed over the water when the pool is not in use. Also, remember to keep a phone available near the pool in case of emergency.

Happy summer!

  

Excerpt from: medicalnewstoday.com

Keeping Summer Fun!

Summer will arrive shortly and, while the warm months are full of smiles, bicycle rides, and swimming pools, the outdoor scenery can pose health risks to adults and children. Before heading out for summer activities, be sure to take the necessary precautions for happy, healthy fun:

1.      Beware of insect-borne illnesses. Dangerous mosquitos are commonly known to carry West Nile virus   and ticks can carry Lyme disease. Be sure to spray pets with flee/tick repellent. Insects are also attracted to sweet smelling lotions or perfumes so keep it simple.

2.      Sun exposure is of great concern. Sunscreen, containing at least 15 SPF, should be applied before outdoor activity and reapplied according to the label instructions. Along with skin protection, UV-filtered lenses should be used to protect eyes from sun exposure.

3.      Allergens peak with warm weather. Pollen counts are elevated and smoggy air can trigger allergic or asthmatic symptoms. Checking the air quality before beginning the day is a smart routine.

4.      Picnics are great ways to enjoy the outdoors. Be cautious when packing foods for the outing. Place an ice pack in the picnic basket and foods in individually sealed containers to keep fresh.

5.      Lastly, the most serious summer danger is drowning. Beaches and pools are common summer activities. Children left unattended can be disastrous. Be sure to stay close and keep an eye on children at all times when around water.

These are just a few tips for a great summer. The best way to ensure that kids have the best summer stories to share with friends when they return to school is to make the summer a happy and healthy one!