Sun Protection
No matter what their skin type, children should be protected from the sun.
- Use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen to block harmful, burning rays
- Children should wear a sunscreen of at least SPF fifteen
- Be sure to apply sunscreen about twenty minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours
- When swimming, make sure to use waterproof sunscreen
- Wear protective clothing and eyewear
- Avoid the sun from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Water Safety
- Children should learn how to swim; it’s a necessary life skill. Look into a swim certification program—your community probably provides one.
- Never leave a child unattended around water.
- If you have a pool, enclose your yard and pool with a fence and keep lifesaving equipment nearby.
- Keep toys and pets away from water.
- Observe local weather conditions and plan activities with safety in mind.
Eating
Make sure your child’s diet in the summer, and all year, includes fruits, vegetables, and grains. Cutting back on fatty foods during hot weather may make children more comfortable because high-fat foods take longer to digest. Also make sure your child stays hydrated in warm weather. That means drinking eight to ten glasses of water each day. Remember that carbonated drinks don’t replace water! Infants should have water at least every two hours during hot weather. If you’re breastfeeding, increase nursing frequency and your own fluid intake. Don’t eat perishable food that has been unrefrigerated for any length of time and pack dry foods for children for day camps or field trips. Keep children away from barbeque grills to prevent burns.
Rashes and skin irritations
Notify your child’s pediatrician if he or she has had contact with poison ivy, poison oak,or sumac. They can lead to red blotches that are raised or flat. Educate your children about what these plants look like and how to avoid them. You can also cut your child’s fingernails short to minimize damage from scratching the skin.
Bug bites
The best defense is a good offense when it comes to bug bites. Make sure your child wears protective clothing, such as long sleeved shirts and pants if he or she is going near fields or woods.
If a rash appears after a bug bite, your child may be experiencing an allergic reaction. Sometimes allergic reactions can occur even if your child has had the same bug bite in the past. Your child’s pediatrician should be contacted, especially if your child is listless or short of breath. Tick bites may trigger Lyme Disease; again call your pediatrician. Any child bitten by a snake, scorpion, or venomous spider or stung by a jellyfish should be taken to a doctor or emergency facility immediately.
Pesticides
Make sure you have your local Poison Control number posted near your telephone. Don’t let children play on grass treated with pesticides and avoid excessive application of any repellent. Store all pesticides away from children and use caution when mixing sunscreen and repellents—apply only the amounts indicated on the product directions. Use only ointments and sprays labeled safe for children or as directed by your pediatrician.
