Alden McCants, MD

The long days of summer are here, and with kids and adults enjoying the great outdoors, it is an important time to review summer safety tips.

Sun Smarts

Sunscreen and protective clothing are vital to help prevent sunburn and sun damage. Children and adolescents ages 18 and under are at an increased risk for sun damage. Babies who are six months and younger have very tender skin and eyes and need to stay out of direct sunlight.

The sun can damage the skin even on cloudy days, so it’s important to find shade for relief, wear hats and sunglasses, and wear light-colored clothes to cover the body and protect the skin.

Sun-protective clothing with a broad-spectrum UPF or ultraviolet protection factor of 50+ is another effective option for children younger than 6 months.

For infants and children older than 6 months, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ that offers UVB and UVA protection. Apply sunscreen liberally at least 30 minutes before heading outside, reapply every 2 hours, and apply more after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Make sure to apply sunscreen to the nose, ears, and tops of the feet, and use SPF 50+ lip balm for the lips.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To decrease sun exposure, stay in the shade and plan activities outside of those times, when possible.

Swim Safety

The Red Cross reports 10 people die from drowning each day, with 20% being under the age of 14. Parents and children both need to know how to swim and practice water safety. Children can start to learn the concepts of how to swim between the ages of one and four, depending on the child. Look for swim lessons with parent involvement in children older than one year of age.

Adults need to be in the water at all times and at arm’s length from infants and toddlers for “touch supervision.” For older children, adults need to be “water watchers,” paying close attention and free from distractions such as talking, scrolling on a phone, tending to chores, drinking alcohol, or socializing.

Water safety includes teaching children to ask permission to go near water and assessing moving water for currents. It is also important to know the signs of drowning and learn how to assist children in the water. Children and weak swimmers need to wear life jackets when around water. Pool safety includes eliminating glass and electrical hazards, taking toys out of the pool when not in use, not running on a pool deck, and properly securing a pool when not in use.

Hydration Station

With higher levels of heat and humidity, the risk of dehydration increases, particularly for children. Keeping kids hydrated means making sure they get plenty of water and other fluids.

Ensure that kids drink plenty of water before going outside. Provide kids with a full water bottle and encourage fluids regularly. If a child is not drinking enough, add electrolyte replacement drinks such as Pedialyte.

Signs of dehydration include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, thirst, dry lips and mouth, irritability, decreased urination, and a fast heart rate. Checking urine color is a quick indication of hydration status, with a pale-yellow color indicating proper hydration, while darker urine indicates dehydration. Without proper fluids, continued dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke and needs immediate medical attention.

Safety on Wheels

Actively supervise children on bikes and other wheeled toys. Ensure children wear properly fitting helmets and pads while riding scooters, bikes, skateboards, and roller skates. Limit riding to driveways, sidewalks, and bike paths. If golf carts are used, ensure seat belts are available for children and that drivers are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Insect Bites and Stings

Insect bites can make kids miserable. Avoid scents such as strong-smelling soaps, shampoos, and perfumes to keep bugs at bay. A broad-brimmed hat helps keep insects away from the face. Use mosquito nets to cover strollers for babies and run fans to help keep bugs away. Remove any standing water to avoid breeding mosquitos.

Insect repellants can repel biting insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers, and biting flies. Follow directions carefully and choose a stick, lotion, or unpressurized spray and apply once a day. Help younger children apply insect repellant and supervise older children. Do not apply repellant to hands, fingers, or around the eyes, nose, or mouth. Only apply on the skin or outside clothing. If your child develops a rash, wash with soap and water immediately, and contact your pediatrician.

Teach kids to stay calm and walk away from stinging insects such as wasps and bees. Swatting and waving hands around may provoke an attack. If a child is allergic, keep an Epi-pen available when they are outside.

Complete a thorough body and head check for ticks any time a child is outside in a wooded area. Use tweezers to pull a tick out by its head, close to the skin. Pull straight out, swab the area with alcohol, and let your pediatrician know.

Burn Hazards

Fireworks can easily burn a child. Keep a hose or bucket of water handy if using fireworks and teach children not to point fireworks at anyone. Adults should always light fireworks, one at a time, and move away quickly. Never light fireworks in glass or metal containers, and after use, douse them with water before discarding them. Sparklers can provide heat up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit and must be closely monitored with no more than one per child at a time. Enjoying a public fireworks display is a much safer option for children.

Develop a 3-foot perimeter and create a “kid-free zone” around grills, fire pits, and campfires. Supervise children while they roast marshmallows or hot dogs.

Give playground equipment a quick touch to make sure it’s not too hot for children to play on.

Taking a few minutes to assess summer activities ahead of time, gathering all the necessary supplies, and teaching your children how to develop a “safety mindset” in each situation can help keep summertime fun and free from injuries.