Brought to you by Vive Health.
Summer is here, and, if you’re like most parents, that means you
and your kids are going to spending a lot more time running around outside.
and your kids are going to spending a lot more time running around outside.
If you want to enjoy your fun in the sun without worrying about
burns, bites, and other common summertime injuries, keep reading. Listed below
are five summer safety tips that every parent should keep in mind to keep their
kids (and themselves) safe and healthy all summer long.
burns, bites, and other common summertime injuries, keep reading. Listed below
are five summer safety tips that every parent should keep in mind to keep their
kids (and themselves) safe and healthy all summer long.
1. Practice Sun Safety
Spending about ten minutes in the sun unprotected
allows you to safely boost your vitamin D levels. If your children are spending
more than ten minutes outside without sunscreen, they’re definitely at a higher
risk for sunburns and UV damage.
allows you to safely boost your vitamin D levels. If your children are spending
more than ten minutes outside without sunscreen, they’re definitely at a higher
risk for sunburns and UV damage.
Make sure your kids are applying sunscreen that has a sun
protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, although 30 is preferable. Look for a
broad-spectrum sunscreen, too, that will protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
Apply it generously and re-apply it every two hours. If your children are doing
a lot of swimming or sweating, you may need to reapply sunscreen more
frequently.
protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, although 30 is preferable. Look for a
broad-spectrum sunscreen, too, that will protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
Apply it generously and re-apply it every two hours. If your children are doing
a lot of swimming or sweating, you may need to reapply sunscreen more
frequently.
Kids who are particularly prone to sunburns may also want to wear
sun-protective clothing as an extra precaution.
sun-protective clothing as an extra precaution.
2. Guard Against Bug Bites
Insect bites are annoying and can potentially spread a variety of
diseases to children and adults alike.
diseases to children and adults alike.
If you’ve got a big camping trip coming up — or just live in an
area that has a lot of insects flying around — be sure to invest in a quality
insect repellent.
area that has a lot of insects flying around — be sure to invest in a quality
insect repellent.
Use caution when using repellents that contain DEET — this is an
insecticide that is toxic and can even be deadly if it accidentally swallowed.
Look, instead, for a non-toxic insect repellent — many contain essential oils
like citronella, cinnamon, and lemongrass — to keep bugs at bay.
insecticide that is toxic and can even be deadly if it accidentally swallowed.
Look, instead, for a non-toxic insect repellent — many contain essential oils
like citronella, cinnamon, and lemongrass — to keep bugs at bay.
If your child is stung or bitten by an insect, be sure to remove
the stinger (if the insect has one) right away. Then, apply ice to the area to minimize pain and swelling. You can also use
hydrocortisone ointment to prevent itching.
the stinger (if the insect has one) right away. Then, apply ice to the area to minimize pain and swelling. You can also use
hydrocortisone ointment to prevent itching.
3. Protect Your Kids’ Heads
During the summer, your kids are probably going to spend a lot
more time riding bikes and scooters outside. These activities are fun, and
they’re great forms of exercise, but they can also be very dangerous if your
children aren’t wearing proper safety gear.
more time riding bikes and scooters outside. These activities are fun, and
they’re great forms of exercise, but they can also be very dangerous if your
children aren’t wearing proper safety gear.
Make sure your child wears a helmet whenever they’re riding a
bike, scooter, or anything else on wheels. A heavy-duty helmet will protect
them from serious head injuries should they fall or get hit while riding.
bike, scooter, or anything else on wheels. A heavy-duty helmet will protect
them from serious head injuries should they fall or get hit while riding.
Remember to lead by example — if you want your kids to wear
helmets, make sure you wear yours when you’re out riding with them!
helmets, make sure you wear yours when you’re out riding with them!
4. Avoid Dehydration
When they’re spending lots of time out in the heat, especially
playing sports, it’s easy for children to get dehydrated. Make sure they drink
plenty of water before, during, and after their trips outside.
playing sports, it’s easy for children to get dehydrated. Make sure they drink
plenty of water before, during, and after their trips outside.
You may be tempted to mix things up by giving your kids sports
drinks or juice instead of water. While these drinks are fine from time to
time, they’re also full of sugar, so they should definitely be an occasional
treat rather than a daily occurrence.
drinks or juice instead of water. While these drinks are fine from time to
time, they’re also full of sugar, so they should definitely be an occasional
treat rather than a daily occurrence.
5. Brush Up On Your Pool Safety
Finally, make sure your kids are staying safe when they’re playing
in the pool. Thousands of children drown every year, and many
more are injured in near-drowning accidents.
in the pool. Thousands of children drown every year, and many
more are injured in near-drowning accidents.
In order to keep your children safe while they swim — especially
if you have a pool in your backyard — keep these tips in mind:
if you have a pool in your backyard — keep these tips in mind:
- Put up a gate with a lock and alarm
- Never leave kids to swim
unsupervised, no matter how capable you think they are - Don’t treat a flotation device as a
lifeguard substitute
It’s also beneficial to learn CPR for kids, specifically.
Hopefully, you’ll never need to use these skills, but they’re good to know
nonetheless.
Hopefully, you’ll never need to use these skills, but they’re good to know
nonetheless.
Final Thoughts
- You
don’t need to be a helicopter mom, of course, but it’s important for every
parent to understand these basic summer safety tips. They’ll give you
peace of mind and help your kids get the most out of their summer
vacation.