It's summertime, and the living is easy…for kids, at least! For
parents, all of that playground, pool and frolicking can bring seasonal
worries…ranging from scrapes and sunburns to more scary stuff, like drowning
risks. However, by following a few common-sense safety tips, you can all enjoy
some fun in the sun!
Suit up with sun protection.
Slather up toddlers and big kids in sunscreen if you'll be
outdoors…and reapply it every two hours! To properly cover your child's body,
you need to use about an ounce of sunscreen (that's about a shot glass worth!)
For a kid's face, you need about a half a teaspoon. Use mineral
sunscreens when you can, and steer clear of aerosol spray sunscreens, which can
cause coughing and wheezing in kids. Babies under 6 months shouldn't wear sunscreen at all. Protect
your lovebug in other ways: Find a shady place to sit, use a stroller canopy
and dress your little one in a sun hat and loose-fitting clothing that
cover their arms and legs.
Protect your little ones from mosquitoes (and other pests!)
Bug bites are on the rise…and with that, so are
bug-borne diseases! If you'll be spending time outdoors in a spot also
frequented by mosquitoes, ticks, or other creepy-crawlies, you'll want to make
sure you're keeping your precious little ones protected. Keep bug bites away by
wearing clothes they can't bite through (long sleeves and pants, in woven fabrics), and
avoid peak hours for bugs (this tends to be evenings for mosquitoes). For
infants, use a mosquito net—such as Shoo, which securely attaches to SNOO to keep out pests. Try avoid using chemical
bug repellants…but if you must, apply it to your clothes instead of your skin
(and really try to avoid using it on little kids and babies!)
Practice water safety.
Children under 5 are at the greatest risk for accidental drowning deaths,
and research shows that many of these deaths happen when parents are distracted. An adult
should supervise children at all times when they're around water, and never leave
children unattended in the pool for even just a few minutes. Designate a
specific person to be the pool supervisor…don't assume someone is keeping
watch. Also, you can't rely on a child's flotation device or toys to keep
your child afloat. However, you should make sure rescue equipment is on hand
and accessible in the pool area. And of course, it's wise to enroll your child
in swim lessons—and yourself in CPR training.
READ MORE: Splash into safety this summer
Be ready to childproof on-the-go.
Though lots of fun for parents, vacation homes and hotel rooms aren't always
the most baby- or toddler-friendly destinations. As you're packing your
suitcase, make sure you throw in a few childproofing tools, including socket
covers or bandage tape to cover outlets and cotton balls or bumpers to use on
sharp corners. When you first arrive at your destination, get down on hands and
knees to give yourself a baby's-eye-view of the place. This will help you
notice—and prevent—hazards like loose change that could be a choking risk,
furniture that isn't properly anchored, or dangling cords.
Create a summer first aid kit.
Summertime means endless exploring…but all of that
frolicking tends to come with more boo-boos than usual. Be prepared for an
uptick in scrapes, splinters, sunburns, and other minor injuries by making
a kit with a few extra supplies…like some extra bandages, ointments,
sunscreen, pain reliever, aloe, etc.
Stay hydrated!
We know that it's important to stay hydrated when it's hot outside! Kids
under 8 need about 4 to 6 glasses of water a day (more if they're active!).
Offer water with meals and snacks and be sure to pack a water bottle if you'll
be away from home. And for babies who can't yet have water, that means making
sure they're getting plenty of breastmilk or formula.
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