Summer Safety
Playing in the sun is fun, but don't forget your sunscreen, and be aware of the dangers of heat stress, bugs and swimming pools...

Summer is all about fun, but don’t forget about summer safety when planning outdoor activities, playdates, or sending the kids off to camp. Over exposure to the sun, heat exhaustion, dehydration, drowning hazards, and pesky bugs all present risks in our warm, coastal environment. Keep your family safe this summer by following these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Fun in the Sun
Babies under 6 months:
Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats are still the top recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands.

For Young Children:
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15.

For Older Children:
*The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
*Stay in the shade whenever possible, and avoid sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 am and 4 pm.
*Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
*Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

Heat Stress in Exercising Children
*The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
*At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program, or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should initially be limited. Gradually increase activity during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
*Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, every 20 minutes, 5 ounces of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 88 lbs, and 9 ounces for an adolescent weighing 132 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
*Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Dry garments should replace sweat-saturated garments as needed.

Pool Safety
*Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
*Install a fence at least four-feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through the fence.
*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 (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end, and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
*Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
*Children may not be developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
*Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."

Bug Safety
*Don't use scented soaps, perfumes, or hair sprays on your child.
*Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods, and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
*Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
*To remove a visible stinger from the skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
*Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective.
*The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. The benefits of DEET reach a peak at a concentration of 30 percent, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
*The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org.

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