Summer Safety 101 (June Tea)

Summer Safety 101

Water Safety

Water safety devices? IMO: False sense of security, only watching can ensure quick response!

~Don't allow “floaties” to give you a false sense of security, they are not enough to keep your child safe

~Many times parents become reliant on these, the most important thing, is, unless your child is water safe. . .YOU WATCH YOUR CHILD! Even when they are wearing a “life saving device.”

~Near open water a life jacket should always be on, if child is not being monitored and is not water safe

~For babies, thin stretchy material to make water “moby”

~Know the signs of drowning: Can not wave or call for help, mouth alternates between submerging and above water, no kicking movement, but are upright in water for 20-60 seconds before submerging. 10% of drownings each year happen within 25 yards of someone who could have helped if they'd known the signs!

~Give kids (and self) a break from water play, to avoid fatigue-eat a snack, take a potty break, get some water, re-sunscreen. All public pools have hourly “pool checks” so it's easy to remember!

*Note: Fear of water and floating apparatus are not enough to keep your child “safe” from water, teach water safety and survival before worrying about whether your child is a “good swimmer” though these never ensure “no drowning”

*Anyone can drown in just a couple of inches of water. . . do not leave young children unattended, even with “kiddie pools”

Simple skills to work on this summer

~Getting baby/kids comfortable with water

~Dunking, blow in baby's face first

~Putting Face in water

~Blowing Bubbles

~Floating

~Going from face down to floating on back or from vertical to floating on back

going to the edge

~Jumping in and swimming back toward side

What if my child won't put face in water?

Try a straw in the bath tub, child blows bubbles through straw, every few nights, cut the straw a little

Try goggles in bath tub

Sun Safety

Water

~Keep water in your car FOR your car

~Keep water in your car for YOU & others

~Use blankets to cover carseats or place in windows every time you get out of the car

Sun Protection

~Being outdoors before 10am and after 4pm

~Staying in the shade

~Wearing protective clothing instead of sunscreen: tight weave cotton clothing

~Sunscreen: check skindeep database for information on sunscreens

~What about Vitamin D? What have you heard? What do you know? “A few minutes at midday is enough for most caucasians” http://www.skincancer.org/healthy-lifestyle/vitamin-d/make-vitamin-d-not-uv-a-priority Consider adding Vitamin D rich foods to your diet, any more than a few minutes at midday and it actually begins to destroy the Vitamin D in the body

~Read an article this week about foods that can prevent sunburn?

~Sunglasses

~Hat

~Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before swimming and in the heat of the day, every hour after

*You can still get sunburned on a cloudy day AND in the car, if you're going to be outside or in the car for long periods, consider proper clothing or sunscreen

Equipment & Activities

Visiting parks early or late to avoid hot equipment and fatigue

(also planning activities like bike riding and hiking at these times)

Infants?
~Wearing baby can keep a new baby fully covered

~Add a hat or a lightweight receiving blanket for walks and outdoor activities

~Body temperature regulated by closeness, holding, nursing, wearing

~Nursing hydrates, no water necessary

~Under 6 months should not use sunscreen, dress in lightweight but full coverage clothing when possible

Summer Activities

~Fireworks-never let children light fireworks and always keep them at a safe distance

~Strenuous activity should be limited to 15 minutes

Being outdoors

~Interesting note: do not use combination sunscreen/repellant since sunscreen should be reapplied, while repellant should NOT be reapplied

~HELMETS-but not for under 1. Head injuries are the most common injury in toddlers, due to not wearing helmets (even on a tricycle). Get proper safety and protective equipment for your child beforehand if they'll be doing anything that involves wheels (except a stroller)

~Consider taking a CPR course this summer

~If you'll be doing boating, camping, deep woods hiking, etc, make it a special point to look up safety tips before charting new (personal) territory, especially if you've never done these activities with children

Links for information used (beyond my own knowledge as a lifeguard, swim instructor, sun lover and mom)

Vitamin D
Signs of Drowning
Can Foods Prevent Sunburn?
General Summer Safety Tips
Safety Prevention Page
Skin Deep Database
Skin Deep Sunscreen Guide