Water (daytime)
Children and water can be a dangerous combination. Stay alert, watch kids at all times, and keep these potential hazard areas in mind.
Fast Facts
Swimmer’s Itch is an allergic reaction triggered from parasites living in bodies of water. Always rinse off thoroughly after swimming and launder your suits frequently. Source: Mayo Clinic
Water (night)
Children and water can be a dangerous combination. Stay alert, watch kids at all times, and keep these potential hazard areas in mind.
Fast Facts
Watching kids near a pool? You should be able to: step or jump into the water over your head; return to the surface and float or tread water for one minute; turn around in a full circle and find an exit; swim 25 yards to the exit; and exit from the water. Source: American Red Cross
Sun
With all the options in the market, picking a sunblock isn’t as easy as it used to be. Here are a couple things to look out when you’re buying sunscreens for your kids.
Sunscreen vs. Sunblock
- Sunscreens use chemicals to absorb UV rays; sunblocks use minerals, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, to physically deflect rays from the skin. These terms are often used interchangeably, so it’s a little confusing.
- Sunblocks are generally recommended for babies and children (over sunscreens) by pediatricians because they contain fewer chemicals.
SPF
- For kids 6 months or older, look for a sunscreen designed for children with an SPF of 15 or higher. Especially kids who have very fair skin, a family history of skin cancer, or conditions like lupus that increase sensitivity to sunlight should consider SPF 30 or higher.
More Tips
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies under 6 months be kept out of the sun altogether.
- Avoid sunscreens with alcohol, fragrances, or preservatives if your child has sensitive skin or allergies.
- If you're going to be exercising or in the water, it's worth getting a sunscreen resistant to water and sweat. Reapply every hour.
Fast Facts
Sunlight reflects off sand and water, intensifying UVR effects by up to 80%. If your skin gets dry, moisturizing sunscreen formulas are a great idea. Source: skincancer.org
Heat
Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. If your little one is experiencing these symptoms, get emergency care immediately.
Symptoms in babies:
- A fever of 103F or higher, but no sweating
- Hot, red, dry skin
- Rapid pulse
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Lethargy
If you think a child is suffering from heatstroke:
Seek immediate medical help by calling 911 or your local emergency services number. Then take these immediate actions:
- Get the child into shade or indoors.
- Remove excess clothing.
- Cool the child down: Immerse in a tub of water or a cold shower; spray with a garden hose; sponge with cool water; fan while misting; place ice packs or cold wet towels on his armpits, groin, neck and head.
Fast Facts
It can take up to 14 days for little ones to get used to hot weather. Gradually increase outdoor time over a two-week period, taking breaks every 15 to 30 minutes during extreme weather. Source: What to Expect
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. Drinking more fluids can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration, but severe dehydration needs immediate medical treatment.
Symptoms in children:
- Sleepiness
- Irritability
- Thirst
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Dry mouth
- No wet diapers for three hours or longer
- In infants, sunken fontanels (the soft spots on the top of a baby's head)
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- No tears when crying
- Fever
Call a doctor immediately if the child:
- Develops severe diarrhea, with or without vomiting or fever
- Has bloody or black stool
- Has had moderate diarrhea for 24 hours or more
- Can't keep down fluids
- Is irritable or disoriented and much sleepier or less active than usual
- Has any of the signs or symptoms of mild or moderate dehydration
Fast Facts
For every 20 minutes of play a young athlete should drink 10 gulps of water (1 gulp = ½ fl oz). Source: SafeKids.org
Critters, allergies and more
Summer is when nature comes back to life… and that includes annoying (and sometimes serious) irritants for children.
At the beach
- Jellyfish stings
- Stinging seaweed
- Sand in eyes
First aid supplies:
Vinegar for jellyfish stings (it deactivates the stinging cells); soap and water, then alcohol to rinse seaweed stings; Saline solution to clean out eyes.
In the backyard
- Bug bites and stings
- Plant pollen
- Scrapes and cuts
First aid supplies:
Topical calamine lotion, AfterBite or hydrocortisone cream for mosquito bites; tweezers (to remove the stinger) and antiseptic towelettes to clean out scrapes and cuts, and Neosporin (or other triple-antibiotic cream) and bandages to prevent infection.
In the woods
- Splinters
- Ticks
- Poison ivy
First aid supplies:
Tweezers for splinters; tea tree oil for poison ivy. Tick removal tip: Don’t use tweezers! Use a credit card to scrape it away. Or light a match, blow it out, and press the warm match head to the tick. It’ll let go immediately.
Fast Facts
In 2013, 95% of confirmed Lyme disease cases were from the Northeast or Upper Midwest. If you live in those parts, keep your eyes peeled for ticks! Source: CDC.gov