Hello summer! We are all eagerly awaiting two months of sunshine, sleeping in, s'mores, and everything that makes summer vacation so great. Here at school, I have been reminding our students that summer is more fun when we can enjoy it well rested, hydrated, and sunburn and bug bite free.
John Hopkins Medicine offers the following tips to help keep our kids safe and healthy in the summer months.
Watch the water! Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 - 4 and the second leading cause of death in ages 5 - 14. Make sure there is always a designated adult watching any children in or around the water, use life jackets on boats or around open water, secure pools gates, be mindful of rip currents and unsafe swimming conditions at the beach, and get your children into swim lessons.
Wheels down, helmet on - ensure children wear correctly fitted helmets for all activities involving wheels, such as biking, skateboarding, or roller skating. Bicycle injuries and deaths affect children more than any other group and a properly worn helmet is the single most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities resulting from bicycle crashes, with an 85-88% reduction in the risk of head and brain injury for bicyclists of all ages.
Prevent bug bites when possible. Summer is peak season for mosquito, tick, and many other insects that can cause discomfort and carry disease. Use EPA registered insect repellents, long sleeves and pants in heavily wooded areas, and check your children's bodies from head to toe after coming inside to make sure no ticks are present.
Keep children away from burn hazards, especially fireworks, bonfires, and grills.
Be sun smart - dress children in light-weight protective layers, hats, and apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 to skin that cannot be covered. Be sure to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Children under 18 years old are more at risk for sun damage to their skin than adults.
Cold and flu season may be behind us, but germs are not! Remind your children to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently.
Be careful with trampolines - common injuries from trampolines include sprains, broken bones, and head and neck injuries. Most injuries occur when more than one child is bouncing on a trampoline at the same time.
Be cautious of wire grill brushes. Dislodged wires which transfer to food can cause mouth, throat, and intestinal injuries in any age group.
Stay hydrated! School aged children should have around 8 cups of water a day, and more when it is especially hot or they are especially active. Water is preferrable to juice, sports drinks, or soda for hydration.
