Ask the Doc: Summer Safety for Children
With the end of the school year fast approaching, many families are planning their summer activities and vacations. Children are anxiously awaiting time spent outdoors with a myriad of activities including bicycling, swimming, hiking, camping, sports, and traveling.
Although the summer may bring lots of fun times, it is very important that you take careful steps to protect your precious children during these months. Dr. Kyla Wiafe-Ababio, a Pediatrician at Black River Healthcare-Kingstree will discuss summertime hazards that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wants you to be aware of.
This will allow you to make the most of these carefree moments with your child while keeping your family happy all season long.
Dr. Wiafe-Ababio states that according to the AAP, infants up to 6 months should have little to no exposure to the sun’s rays. They should wear lightweight long sleep tops and long pants. Their face and neck should be protected with a brimmed hat. If these garments are not available then a minimal amount of sunscreen should be applied with a SPF of at least 15.
Sunscreen works best when applied 30 minutes before going outside. For older children it is important to limit their sun exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m. When exposed to the sun it is important to wear a brimmed hat and sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of the UV rays. Sunscreen of at least SPF 15 must be applied every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Since most children enjoy various sports during the summer, heat stress is something that should be avoided according to Dr. Wiafe-Ababio.
It is imperative that children stay hydrated before physical activity with periodic drinking being enforced. Approximately every 20 minutes, five ounces of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink should be given to a child weighing 90 lbs., and nine ounces for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs., even if the child does not feel thirsty.
Bugs are everywhere this summer especially in wooded areas, so it is critical that you avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
Dr. Wiafe-Ababio warns that certain precautions should also be taken to avoid attracting insects such as avoiding scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child and not dressing them in colorful clothes or flowery patterns. Insect repellents can offer adequate protection however combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied. Insect repellents containing DEET are most effective against ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease, in addition to mosquitoes, which can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
The current CDC and AAP recommendation for children over two months of age is to use 30 percent DEET. DEET should not be used on children under two months of age. It is important to wash the insect repellent off adequately once returning indoors.
Since it is difficult to resist a cool dip in the pool during the scorching summer months, in order to provide the most safe environment for your children you should install a fence at least four-feet high around all four sides of the pool. It should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under or through. Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can’t reach.
Keep rescue equipment like a shepherd’s hook (a long pole with a hook on the end), a life preserver, and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd’s hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.
Some experts including the AAP suggest that items such as “floaties” not be used as substitutes for life jackets because it gives the child a false sense of security. According to recent reports, drowning deaths of children and adolescents have decreased dramatically in recent years; however, it remains the second largest cause of death among US children between the ages of 1 and 19 years.
Of all childhood drowning incidents, 32 percent occurred in pools with almost 300 deaths in children under the age of five. Parental CPR knowledge is strongly suggested by experts as well as “touch supervision” which mean that an adult is within arm’s length whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water. And last but not least, the most important rule is to never leave a child unattended when in or near water.
Although bicycle riding is a great way to enjoy family summertime fun and get some physical activity, certain precautions must be taken. A bike helmet should always be used on your child. They will look to you as an example, so it is imperative that parents wear helmets as well. When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.
Dr. Wiafe-Ababio states that a helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction. If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has issued these child safety tips for parents to keep children safer while shopping and traveling.
Always:
• Keep children with you at all times while shopping.
• Accompany and supervise children in public facilities, including restrooms.
• Have a plan in case you become separated, including a pre-designated spot to meet.
• Teach children to look for people who can help, such as a uniformed security officer, salesperson or a mother with children .
• Remind children to remain in the area where they become separated.
• Turn shopping trips into opportunities to practice safe shopping skills.
Never:
• Dress children in clothing that display their first or last names, prompting unwelcome attention from people looking for an opportunity to start a conversation with your child.
• Leave children in toy stores or public facilities expecting supervision from store personnel.
• Go shopping or attend a public event with a child if you feel you’re going to be distracted. Make other arrangements for childcare ahead of time.
• Allow younger children to shop on their own to purchase surprise gifts for friends or family members.
• Drop off older children at a mall or public place without agreeing on a clear plan for picking them up, including: where, what time, and what to do in case of a change in plans.
With a little common sense and these safety precautions you and your children can have the safest and most fun summer possible!
I’d like to thank Dr. Wiafe-Ababio for outlining these most important safety tips for children.
This is Dr. Beryl Bachus-Keith reminding you that prevention is the key to good health and wellness, so make a vow and commit to good health. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
