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Summer Safety Tips for Children
Summer is a time for fun and frolic but at the same time it is essential that children remain protected. Here are some important summer safety tips for your children:
Playing in the sun
Babies under 6 months - Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight clothes with hats are the best to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, a minimal amount of sunscreen can be applied to areas such as the infant's face and the back of the hands.
Young Children - Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside. The Sun Protection Factor should be at least 15.
Older Children - The first and the best line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wearing a hat, sunglasses and light cotton clothing is helpful. Stay in the shade whenever possible, and avoid sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater.
Take care while exercising
The intensity of activities that last for 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels. Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well hydrated. During the activity, periodic fluid intake should be enforced. Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat.
Safety while swimming
- Never leave children alone in or near the pool
- Avoid using inflatable swimming aids. They are not a substitute for approval life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
- Children are not developmentally ready for swimming lessons until they are four years old.
- Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
- Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within an arm's length, providing supervision.
Playing it safe in the playground
- Carefully maintain all equipment.
- Swings should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
- make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body parts.
- Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children's legs from getting burned. Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use home trampolines.
Bicycle Safety
- Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Take your child with you when you shop for the bicycle, so that he or she can try it out.
- Buy a bicycle that is the right size, not one that your child has to grow into. Oversized bicycles are especially dangerous. Your child needs to wear a helmet every time he uses the bicycle, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn.
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