By: Dr. Brian Gannon
Ahhhh, the warmer days of summer are finally here! The smell of the grass, the crack of the bat, and the splash of the pool are upon us. But summer fun can also mean hidden dangers, if parents let down their guard. Here are some simple reminders to keep us and our children injury-free all summer long.
1. Most summer activities are outside, meaning under the blazing sun. So sunburn is a real risk, especially when children are outside for such long periods during the heat of the day. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 1-2 hours when outside and active (in other words, sweating), more often if children are in the water. We usually remember this at the beach, but it’s exactly the same sun, even at the baseball diamond or the playground. Hats and shade are also helpful to prevent sunburn, and have the added advantage of being easier on the eyes than full sun. The best time of day for infants is early morning (before 10 a.m.), when the temperature has not reached its peak, and the sun is not as bright.
2. Hydration is always important with physical activity, but when the outdoor temperature hits triple digits, the fluid requirements go even higher. Believe it or not, the best sports drink occurs in nature, manufactured by God: water. All the others have some advantages if you need extra salt or sugar for energy, but really hydration, pure and simple, is the key. Experts recommend taking a water break every 20 minutes during hot, humid weather, especially for athletes involved in vigorous activity (like football or baseball). After the first hour of practice, children may benefit more from sports drinks, since the sugar boosts energy levels.
3. Swimming lessons are wonderful to help children conquer fear of water, but they should not be used to “drown-proof” a child. Children younger than about 7 still need “touch supervision,” with a responsible adult within arm’s distance at all times. Pools also should have locked gates, so children cannot gain access to them without the help and supervision of an adult (This includes inflatable pools, which present their own set of dangers.)
4. If visiting a beach on vacation, please note the flags that show how safe the water is on a given day. Children should NEVER be in the water when the red flags are out, because of the danger of choppy seas, and potential riptides. Riptides are extremely dangerous waves, occurring when the water at the bottom is pulling out to sea even though the water on top appears to be calm or going toward shore. Every year dozens of people (often adults) drown at beaches prone to riptides, many of which have no lifeguards. If faced with a riptide, where you feel yourself being pulled away from shore by the undercurrent, try to float to the surface and swim parallel to shore until the water is calmer. NEVER FIGHT AGAINST A RIPTIDE; YOU WILL LOSE EVERY TIME!
5. Waterskiing and other boating activities can be lots of fun for older children and teenagers, but they still require careful supervision. Always remember life jackets, even for strong swimmers, because rivers and lakes are notoriously unpredictable when it comes to currents and assessing the depth of the water. Always be sure there is a designated driver for the boat, who will not be drinking. At least one supervising adult must be sober, in the case of emergencies. Most bad boating injuries are directly related to impaired drivers.
6. Regardless of the activity planned, an emergency medical kit should be a key part of packing. I would suggest making sure you take bug spray, sunscreen, pain relievers, itch relief medicines, bandages for minor injuries, and any routine medications, especially an EpiPen (with a current expiration date!) for any serious allergic reactions to foods or insect bites. Topical antibiotic ointment is helpful for cuts and scrapes, and topical hydrocortisone is available without a prescription to relieve itching from bug bites or poison ivy. Take a pair of tweezers for tick removal if going camping or to a wooded area. And if carsickness is an issue, don’t forget the antinausea medicine for any car ride longer than an hour or so. Avoiding milk can prevent some of the unpleasantness of cleaning car seats during the vacation.
Outdoor fun in the summer is loads of fun, whether traveling long distances or playing at home. A few basic precautions can help families avoid an unplanned trip to the hospital or clinic, which may tarnish your cherished memories.
For more information visit the American Academy of Pediatrics online: http://www.aap.org/