Summer Safety Tips:

Keeping you and your family safe this summer!

Water Safety

Keeping your child safe in and around the water is important. This starts with proper supervision, which is one of the best ways to keep your kids safe in the water. Watch your kids when they are in or around water, even if they know how to swim.

·         Childproof your swimming pool by enclosing it with by a permanent fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate, and make sure that your child can't easily get out of your house to the pool area.

·         Have everyone wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets on boats, jet skis, and on other personal watercraft.

·         Only let kids dive in areas that are clearly marked for diving or when you know how deep the water is.

·         Only swim in designated areas

·         Have a phone nearby, so that you can quickly call for help when necessary.

Bug Bite Safety

Parents often have problems choosing an insect repellent for their kids knowing when to start using the insect repellent.  Surprisingly, there is an easy answer for these parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that insect repellents with DEET are safe to use on children as young as two months old.

Instead of, or in addition to, using insect repellents, there are also many steps that you can take to avoid insect bites. These protective measures include:

·         Dress your kids in thin, loose-fitting, long-sleeve clothing that doesn't include bright colors

·         Encourage your kids to wear socks and shoes instead of sandals

·         Avoid spending time outdoors during evening to early morning hours (dusk to dawn)-- when mosquitoes bite the most

·         Avoid scented soaps and other things that might attract mosquitoes and other bugs

·         using a bug screen over your child's stroller

·         Control mosquitoes and other insects where your kids play

·         Additional Information

·         The AAP recommends that parents should not reapply insect repellents with DEET more than once a day.

·         To be safe, only apply insect repellents to exposed skin. Do not apply it under clothing, on a child's hands, near the mouth or eyes, or over cuts and irritated skin.

·         Wash off insect repellents once your child comes inside and will no longer be exposed to mosquitoes.

Don't Leave your Child in the Car

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 'a locked car sitting in the summer sun quickly turns into an oven,' and 'temperatures can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in just three minutes, to 125 degrees in 6-8 minutes.'

·         Don't leave them in a car, which can quickly heat up, especially on a hot, sunny day

·         Always lock your car and secure the keys so that your kids can't get to them

·         Warn your kids about playing in the car by themselves without adult supervision

·         Install a trunk release mechanism, so that they can't get trapped in the trunk

·         Get your kids out of the car first, and then worry about getting the groceries, etc., out of the car when you get home

·         Make sure that child car providers and day care workers have a plan to make sure that kids aren't left in the day care providers car or van

·         If you are afraid that you might leave your sleeping infant or toddler in their car seat when you get out of the car, place a reminder on the dashboard.

The danger of being left alone isn't limited to kids getting overheated. Simply leaving the car running and the air conditioning on doesn't make your child any safer, even if it is just for a few minutes. Your child might be abducted, put the car into drive, or even get caught in a closing power window. Use the drive-through if it is available or take your kids inside, even if you will just be a few minutes.

Heat Safety Tips: 

·         Dress for the heat

·         Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing

·         Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy

·         It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.

·         Drink water: carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty

·         Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body

·         Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician

·         Eat small meals and eat more often

·         Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat

·         Slow down: avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.

·         Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. 

·         Be a good neighbor: During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.

Heat-Related Terms:

 Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.

Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.

Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

*Information gathered from the American Red Cross and About.com: Pediatrics