Hello parents,
Last month I wrote about pool safety for kids.
This month, I am going to focus on some other equally important summer safety measures that I get asked about a lot.
1. Sunscreen protection
All children regardless of their skin tone should wear broad spectrum screen sunscreens with SPF of 30 or higher and reapply sunscreen every two hours when outside. Also make sure kids wear protective clothes and hats.
2. Prevent dehydration
Bring a water bottle with you and your child when you go outside to prevent dehydration. Children should be drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day. Sports drinks like Gatorade are very high in sugar and should only be used if your child will be playing for longer than two hours in the summer heat nonstop.
3. Watch out for heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when your body loses salt and water. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, muscle cramps, fatigue and weakness and heightened body temperature. Ask your child to drink plenty of water and take breaks during the physical activity. If above symptoms develop, immediately take them to a cooler place and hydrate them to prevent more serious conditions like heat stroke. If in doubt, please take your child to the local ER.
4. Beware of bugs like mosquitoes and ticks that are active in summer months and cause disease
Bug spray is a very effective tool for preventing bug bites and also have your child wear long sleeved pants tucked in the socks when in the wooded areas. Check your kids for ticks at night when they are showering. Most ticks are harmless, but when in doubt check with the pediatrician.
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