June 24, 2005
On
the radio: Summer health and safety tips
To help the general public enjoy summertime activities in a healthy and
safe way, MassGeneral
Hospital for Children (MGHC) has sponsored radio advertising that
features summer safety tips for children. Alan Ezekowitz, MBChB, DPhil,
chief of Pediatrics for MGHC, and Joseph “Jay” Vacanti, MD,
chief of Pediatric Surgery for MGHC, recorded the voiceovers for the radio
spots that are being aired on 92.9 WBOS and 105.7 WROR.
Below are some of the safety tips they offered:
Sun and water safety
- Put sunscreen on your child at least 20 minutes before going in the
sun. And make sure sunscreen is reapplied every two hours — even
if the bottle says it's waterproof. Wearing hats and sunglasses will
protect against harmful rays.
- Water safety is important too. Teach your child to swim. Be vigilant
around pools, lakes and oceans. Remember, water in buckets and barrels
poses a danger to babies and toddlers.
Play safety
- Make sure playground equipment is made of flexible material like rubber
or plastic to buffer any falls. The ground should be made of soft material,
like wood chips or sand. Playgrounds also should be free of litter and
glass.
- To avoid injury, do not allow children to attach jump ropes, leashes
or similar items to play equipment.
- Remember that children should always wear helmets on bikes, rollerblades
and scooters. Helmets should fit properly and be age-appropriate. Wearing
ankle, knee, wrist and elbow pads can protect against sprains and other
injuries.
Back to school
- Follow school guidelines for immunizations and getting checkups, and
be sure to talk to your pediatrician.
- Encourage physical activity by having children join a sports team
at school, or take dance or other lessons. It's good exercise and provides
social benefits.
- Finally, make sure your child eats a balanced diet. Eating right
provides the energy and nutrition your child needs to grow. And a good
night's sleep will help your child stay alert during the day.