Tis the Season - Summer Concerns

Sun Safety
Sun exposure occurs year round from direct light and reflection off of snow, concrete, sand and water. Excessive sun exposure leading to burns or even tanning is dangerous, including the ultraviolet light from tanning booths. Skin cancer is preventable.

Avoid direct sunlight exposure for young babies (under 6 months of age). For children above 6 months of age, use sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher. Apply 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating, even water-proof sunscreen.

Reduce direct sun exposure during peak summer season between 11 am and 2 pm. Try scheduling nap time or indoor activities then. Light colored clothing keeps children cooler by not absorbing as much of the sun's heat. Hats are helpful to protect eyes, and the top of child's head. Sunglasses can shield young eyes from harmful radiation.

Some children are sensitive to certain ingredients in sunscreens, particularly fragrances.

Water Safety
With warm weather the opportunity for more water activity in pools and lakes increases. Perhaps you swim all year round in indoor pools. Swimming and playing in water is fun and great exercise, but you must take steps to prevent your child from injury or drowning.

Most important is never let your child swim anywhere without an adult watching. This includes the bath tub. A child can drown in a few inches of water, regardless of swimming ability. Even older children benefit from adult supervision. Often older children in home pools play games with friends that may lead to injury without an adult to monitor the games. Rules regarding no running and no "horseplay" should be observed in community pools, and home pools. Keep a life preserver and shepherds hook in the pool area to help pull a child to the edge of the pool when necessary.

Never swim alone. Never dive into water except when permitted. Always use a life jacket when on a boat, fishing or playing in a river or stream.

Don't let young children and children who cannot swim use inflatable toys or mattresses in water that is above the waist. These toys can be mistaken as safety devices.

Teach your child to swim once he or she is ready. (The AAP recommends around 5 years old.) Although children often take lessons at a younger age, you should not presume that they would have the skills to be left alone in the water.

Insect Bites
Insect bites are very common. To avoid bites, keep as much of the body covered as is comfortable, particularly in the worst "mosquito hours" near dusk. Avoid scented soaps, perfumes and hair spray. Apply an insect repellent to all exposed skin surfaces. Compounds containing DEET are most effective, and can be used in a concentration of 10% - 30% in children over 2 months of age. DEET preparations should be washed off after use, and, please, follow the directions on the bottle.

If your child is stung by a bee, wasp or mosquito, apply a cool compress immediately to help reduce swelling. Attempt to remove the stinger with a small tweezers, by grasping firmly close to the skin, or scrape it off horizontally with a credit card, or your finger nail.

For itchy bites, calamine lotion, a baking soda paste or a topical 1 % hydrocortisone cream will help reduce symptoms and may help reduce inflammation. It is normal for a bee or wasp bite to become red and swollen. Often the swelling and redness seem worse later, or the next day. Severe allergic reactions generally occur within 20 minutes of the bite. Signs of these would be wheezing, hives not at the bite site, and/or mouth swelling. If these occur, call 911 immediately!

Contact the office if the redness continues to spread beyond the local bite, or if it associated with a fever.

Bicycle Helmets
Helmets have proved effective in reducing head and brain injuries in bicycle accidents, and should also be worn for skateboarding and rollerblading. Bicycle helmets are very protective in head-first falls at fairly high speed, are light and well ventilated for comfort and acceptability. You should only buy a helmet that meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Check for the label. The helmet should be worn squarely on top of the head, covering the top of the forehead. If it is tipped back, it will not protect the forehead, especially in a fall. The chin strap should be adjusted to fit snugly. Helmets are made for infants and children.

Establish the helmet habit early, even as early as when they start to rid tricycles, and if they are a passenger on the back of an adult's bike. Wear a helmet yourself – children learn best by observing you.

Trampoline Safety
There are over 95,000 hospital emergency room treated injuries associated with trampolines each year. About 75 percent of the victims are under 15 years of age, and 10 percent are under 5 years of age. Since 1990 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received reports of 6 deaths involving trampolines. Almost all of the trampolines associated with injuries were at private homes, usually in backyards. Most of the injuries occurred on full size trampolines. AAP and Elmwood Pediatric Group STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AGAINST using trampolines at home or outside of a supervised sports setting!