Don’t Let Accidents Spoil Warm-Weather Fun
Summer Safety Tips from Texas Children’s Hospital

Summer is a great time to be a child. However, because children are more active outdoors, summer also is a time of increased opportunities for injuries. Specialists at Texas Children’s Hospital report that in fact, more childhood injuries occur during the summer months than any other time of year.

Ensuring children’s safety does not mean putting a damper on summer fun. Following are hints from safety specialists at Texas Children’s and the Greater Houston Coalition for SAFE KIDS:

The sun in Texas is strong, even on cloudy days. Children with fair skin can burn in less than 15 minutes. The safest time for children to play outdoors is before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

How to prevent sunburn:

• Keep babies less than 6 months old out of the sun.
• Block sun with wide-brimmed hats and colored shirts with sleeves.
• Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every hour, even if the sunscreen is waterproof. Children with fair skin should reapply more often.
• Cloud cover does not block harmful UV rays, so use sunscreen even on overcast days.
• Give older children an extra bottle of sunscreen to pack with their swim gear or sports bags.
• For sunburn, apply a cool, damp towel or give the child a cool bath. If the child has blisters, fever or chills, call a doctor.

Temperatures during summer can jump 20 to 30 degrees from morning to mid-afternoon. Be prepared for the warmest part of the day to prevent heat illness, which includes exhaustion and stroke.

How to prevent heat illness:

• Plan outdoor activities during a cooler time of day and stay in the shade.
• Select lightweight, cool, loose-fitting clothes in fabrics like cotton.
• When you plan an outing on a warm day, pack plenty of drinks. Cold water is best.
• On a hot day, children should drink at least one and a half cups of water every 30 minutes.
• Never leave children or pets in a parked car. Temperatures can rise to a fatal 120 degrees.
• If a child becomes nauseated, dizzy or weak and feels cool to the touch, take him or her indoors immediately. A child with dry, red skin and a fast pulse who seems confused or delirious may be experiencing heat illness and is in need of immediate medical care.

Insects become more active and thrive in the summer heat. Take care each day to protect children from summertime bites and stings.

How to prevent and treat stings from bees, wasps and hornets:

• Insect repellent does not protect against stings.
• Wearing shoes outside can help protect against stings.
• To soothe stings, wrap ice cubes in a damp washcloth and apply the washcloth to the site.
• Elevate an arm or a leg that is stung for about 15 minutes. Apply antibiotic cream, cortisone cream, or baking soda and water mixed into a paste.
• A child who gets many stings may have an allergic reaction. If a child has difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, passes out or has hives, call 9-1-1.

How to prevent and treat fire ant bites:

• Steer clear of anthills. Have children wear shoes and never leave toddlers near the mounds.
• To treat stings, wash the area with cold water and apply ice. To reduce pain, apply a plaster of water and meat tenderizer for five to 10 minutes. Apply antibiotic or cortisone cream.
• Call 9-1-1 for severe reactions such as difficulty breathing, swelling of lips or eyelids, flushed or pale skin, hives, welts, itching, nausea or vomiting.

How to prevent and treat mosquito bites:

• Use repellent to keep mosquitoes away, especially in the early morning and late evening. Apply to the child’s clothing and exposed skin before he or she goes outdoors.
• Use caution with insect repellents containing DEET. It contains poisons that can be absorbed through skin that is sunburned or has a rash.
• Do not use repellent near the eyes or mouth. Wash it off after the child comes indoors.
• Apply pressure to a bite for ten seconds to ease pain. Dab bites with rubbing alcohol or witch hazel and apply antibiotic cream or ointment, or a cortisone cream for swelling.

Poison ivy and other plants irritate skin thrive during summer.

How to prevent and care for poison ivy outbreaks:

• "Leaves of three, let them be," describes poison ivy, which nearly always grows with clusters of three leaflets. The leaves turn red in the fall.
• Most people are allergic to poison ivy and will develop a rash within a day or two after contact with the plant. If the reaction is severe, see a doctor.
• Wash as soon as possible after walks in the woods or if you suspect contact with poison ivy. Wear long pants or socks to help prevent contact with poison ivy.
• To treat the rash, soak the affected area in cold water or massage it with ice for a few minutes. Let it air dry and apply a steroid cream.

With all the activities available at the park, it can be difficult to ensure safety.

How to play it safe in the park:

• Be alert, especially when older children are playing nearby.
• Skid-resistant shoes help prevent falls and can protect feet from broken glass or nails.
• Watch out for jump ropes and strings on a hooded jacket. These can strangle a child.
• Make sure play areas are free of broken glass, rocks and sticks.
• Make sure metal slides are cool before you let children play on them.
• Do not let children play in sandboxes that are left uncovered overnight. Animals leave bacteria, parasites and intestinal worms in the sand.

As summer approaches, children will spend more time near water – in pools, lakes or at the beach.

Water safety tips:

• Never leave children unattended in or near water. Even buckets of water and inflatable shallow pools can be dangerous to toddlers.
• Ensure that gates to pool areas are securely closed and locked.
• Children 3 years old and under who do not know how to swim should take lessons.
• Never permit children to dive in water less than six feet deep.
• Pool noodles and floats are toys, not safety equipment.
• When boating, make sure all children and adults wear personal flotation devices.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/06_01_02/page_15.html