Summertime Safety Tips

As the weather is warming up and we are spending more time outdoors there are some things we can do to make sure that our kids are enjoying summertime safely.  Three of the biggest concerns for kids during the summer are sun protection, swimming safety, and hydration. However, with a few precautions kids can be safely enjoying their favorite outdoor activities.

Sun Protection: While most of us don’t escape our childhood without a single sunburn the fact that they are common doesn’t mean that they aren’t cause for concern. According to the skin cancer foundation your chance of getting melanoma more than doubles from just one serious sunburn during childhood. Damage to your skin from the sun adds up over time. So, the more you burn the more susceptible your skin becomes to developing cancer. One of the best ways to combat the negative effects of the sun is to properly protect your skin with sunscreen. Sunscreen prolongs the amount of time the skin can be exposed to sun without burning. For example, if your skin starts to turn pink after 10 minutes in the sun an SPF of 15 will make it take 15 times longer for your skin to burn so 2.5 hours. Sunscreen is most effective is you use the tips below:

1. Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin 15 minutes before being exposed to the sun.
2. 1oz of sunscreen should be used with each application.
3. Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours and sooner if the child is swimming.
4. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF of at least 30.
5. The sunscreen you use should be broad spectrum to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreen is recommended for children 6 months and older. Babies under 6 months should be kept out of the sun all together. In addition to sunscreen, I recommend frequent breaks from the sun especially during 10am-4pm when the sun is the strongest. Lightweight clothing and rash guards are also great for young kids. Hats and sunglasses are great ways to keep the sun off of kids faces and protect their eyes.

If your child does get a sunburn some things that you can do at home include: cool compresses, cool baths, and Tylenol or ibuprofen. If your child’s sunburn is blistering, they have a fever, or are acting sick (general unwell, vomiting, or lethargy) they need to be seen by a medical professional.

Swimming: Who doesn’t love jumping in some cool water to help ease the heat of the summer? While swimming can be a great way to stay cool while enjoying some time outdoors it does come with risks that require attention. According to the center for disease control (CDC) more drowning deaths occur during July than any other time of year. Child drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional child deaths for kids between 1-4 years old. In addition, the CDC reports that there were 6,700 nonfatal child drownings reported each year from 2017-2019 which comes out to 18 children per day. The most important way to protect children while they are around water is to always have them supervised! Some other important ways to keep kids safe include:

1. Not allowing children to dive or jump in water that is less than 9 ft deep.
2. Keep kids from chewing gum or eating while swimming.
3. Don’t use water wings or pool toys as life jackets.
4. If you child is going to be exposed to water they should be taught how to swim.
5. The supervising adult should also know how to swim.
6. Parents should know how to perform CPR in the event of an emergency.
7. Keep first aid equipment, a phone, and emergency numbers close at hand.

Hydration:  As kids are running around in the summer heat, they are more likely to get dehydrated. The more kids are sweating the more important it is to replenish the water they are losing. Kids 8 years and under should be drinking their age in 8 oz glasses of water per day. Kids 8 and older should drink eight 8oz glasses of water per day. This amount should be increased during the summer months if a child is outside often. Here are some ways to encourage your kids to get the water they need:

1. Make water visible: Kids are more likely to drink if they see water.
2. Make drinking water fun: Buy your kids fun water bottles or swirly straws that will make them excited about drinking water.
3. Make it interesting: make ice cubes with fruit in them to add to water and make it more interesting.
4. Make homemade popsicles: popsicles with water, fruit juice, and fresh fruit are a healthy treat that will also quench thirst.
5. Make it cold: adding ice to water can make it more enticing for kids.

Thirst is not a good indicator of hydration. Often kids don’t realize they are thirsty until after they are already dehydrated. Some signs of dehydration include: dry mouth, eyes that look sunken, a sunken soft spot, lack of urine, rapid breathing, fatigue, irritability, and dizziness. If any of these occur please consult your provider. 

We wish a very happy, healthy, and safe summer to you and your family!

Author

Sarah Elliott Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in primary care. Practicing in Nashville, TN.