Summer Safety Tips for Kids

School is out, the kids are home and the fun (and chaos) begins! The hot weather has arrived and with it comes outdoor activities like playing at the park for hours, swimming, hiking, bike riding, and heading out to the amusement parks! But summer is also a time where kids leave behind the cares of walking in line at school and remembering to walking instead of running the hallway. Safety in lots of areas is crucial for a fun and safe summer. Hope these summer safety tips from Parenting Magazine (June 2006) help both you and your children enjoy these next two months! Happy summer!

When out in the sun, apply and reapply sunscreen.

	Use at least SPF 30 or higher. Apply it 30 minutes prior to going outside.
	Make sure that you reapply every 2 hours and after swimming.
	Use an ounce of sunscreen for a toddler (about enough to fill a shot glass).
	Use two ounces to cover yourself.
	Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.
	Make sure children wear hats to avoid their face and scalp getting burned.

Make sure young children know your first and last name. Teach them to yell that instead of "mom" if you get separated.

Be prepared for swimmer’s ear.

	Have your child wear ear plugs if they are probe to ear infections.
	Put two to three drops of rubbing alcohol or a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar in each ear after a long swim.

Stock up for treatment after and during outdoor fun

	Increase your first aid necessities by buying tweezers for tick removal and splinters.
	Make sure you pack bandages and ointment for park outings.
	Have aspirin handy as you can mix it with water to rub on bug bites that have caused itching or swelling.
	Protect skin from poison ivy with Ivy block.
	If your child should get poison ivy, immediately bathe skin with soap and cold water to reduce chance of reaction. Wash any clothing that may have touched the plant. Do not let pets run loose in areas with poison ivy as they could contract it on the fur and pass it to you.

Make sure that children wear helmets to ride scooters and bikes

	If skating , add elbow, knee and wrist guards to your safety equipment.
	Make sure that the shoes they are wearing are close-toed and that their clothing fits properly. Loose ties could get caught in chains and wheels.

Outdoor exercise and sports

Follow this acronym from the US Soccer Federation for keeping kids healthy and hydrated while outdoors on hot days:

GOAL

Get acclimated- bodies need time to adjust to new temperatures and humidity

On-schedule drinking - before, during and after practice and games.

Always drink a sports drink (such as Propel or Gatorade) that replaces electrolytes and gives energy needed to keep kids safe.

Learn the signs of trouble and let the body rest and drink at the first sign of any of the problems.

Playing alone outdoors

	Set aside check in times so that you know where and what your child is doing
	Review rules for strangers, playing out front or near a street, and the buddy system
	Make sure that screen doors are locked so that younger children so not wander out.

Tips taken from Parenting Magazine, June 2006 issue and www.safetycops.com and www.keepkidshealthy.com