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

Keep Summertime Professional

Summertime is a very relaxed time of the year. With warm weather plans filling nanny and family schedules, people tend to become more informal. In order to remain orderly during the more “casual” months, try implementing these professional habits into your daily routine:

Keep off hour activities private.

Employers are proactive when researching their employees to gain further insight. This includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Check all privacy settings to insure no one has access to private content. Any unprofessional sightings can result in negative consequences.

Be productive during downtime.

When charges are napping, it’s easy for a caregiver to become relaxed and neglect other job duties. When the opportunity for downtime arises, try walking around the house to tidy common areas, prep for upcoming mealtimes, or throw in a load of laundry.

Avoid unnecessary accidents.

Caregiver belongings have become a new danger in the home. Beach bags and pocketbooks contain pill bottles, electronics, sharp grooming items, and harmful chemicals such as sunscreen, nail polish, or makeup. Keep all personal belongings up and out of reach of charges.

Schedule action packed activities.

Research local events and consider creating a weekly calendar for charges. Being outdoors and visiting local attractions help make the most out of the summer months. Try taking a trip to the zoo, aquarium, amusement park, local museum, and maybe a day trip down to the beach.