Health & Safety Tips For The Summer
JUNE 03, 2019
School’s out, the kids are home, and everyone’s excited about summer. While there’s plenty of fun on the horizon, it’s important your kids stay safe and aware of the potential health hazards that come with the summer season. Here are a few tips for parents to remember over the next few months.
Hydration
If there’s one thing you can always count on, it’s the Alabama heat. Down south, the summers can get pretty brutal with temperatures soaring into the mid to upper 90s on a daily basis. This increases the risk of dehydration –, especially for children. In fact, children are much more susceptible to dehydration in the summer than most adults. So it’s critical that your kids drink plenty of water while playing outside. Gatorade or other fortified drinks are good too, especially if your child is particularly active. However, you should make sure to stay away from energy drinks. It’s also important they maintain a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the signs of dehydration. These include:
- Dry, cracked lips
- Dark colored urine
- Little to no urine for eight hours
- Dry skin
- Low energy levels
If you suspect your child might be dehydrated, call your pediatrician immediately.
Activity
While summer is a time to relax and enjoy the break from school, your kids still need to remain active. Kids need at least an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. The backyard is always a great place to start, but if that won’t cut it, check out our blog on fun, family-friendly activities to keep your kid moving.
For older kids and teens, the summer is also a good time to give back to the community. Consider enrolling them in a volunteer program or challenge them to develop their own service project!
Sunscreen
Somedays it feels like the Alabama sun is barely hovering above the trees. Sunburns are a real threat for kids and adults alike. Aside from being painful, they can lead to serious health problems like melanoma. Before your kids head outside, be sure to apply sunscreen (preferably SPF 30 or higher) and then reapply every 2 hours – more often if they’re playing in water.
Pool Safety
Swimming is the quintessential summer activity, and no break is complete without at least a few trips to the pool. That said, parents need to exercise extreme caution when it comes to kids and water – especially for the younger ones. For starters, never leave your child unattended around a pool. For children who can’t swim, they MUST wear some sort of flotation device at all times, whether it’s arm floaties, swim vests, or trainer suits.
Also, be sure your kids adhere to all safety rules when at a pool, such as:
- No running
- No diving in the shallow end
- Always swim with a buddy
- No horseplay
- Keep away from the pool during storms
Lastly, these don’t just apply to in-ground and city pools. Any pool of water poses a risk, including kiddie pools, plastic pools, hot tubs, and even the bath! If you have questions about summer safety, contact us at Purohit Pediatric Clinic today!
