The countdown begins Summer is almost upon us and it’s never too early to get prepared for summer fun, especially here in the sunshine state. The best kind of summer is fun but safe fun. Checkout the tips below to ensure that your summer is a good one.
1. Summer and Sunscreen – The AAP recommends that you cover your skin when ever possible. They advise that your best chance is to stay out of direct sunlight and if that’s not possible then you should cover exposed skin with light breathable fabric such as cotton. If having clothing on doesn’t work for the activity then protect your family’s skin with sunscreen. To find out the best sunscreen that fits your family’s needs head on over to ewg.org
2. Heat Illness – Maybe your summer fun isn’t near water to keep you cool but on land like a game of tag or family bike riding. An important factor to any outdoor activity during the summer is staying hydrated. The recommended liquid intake is to drink more than you think you may need. Water is one of the best hydrators but sometimes you need juice or sports drinks to replace salt loss. Along with staying hydrated the best way to avoid heat related illnesses is to know the signs. Head on over to The National Safety Council for details
3. Water Safety – Some days the best way to cool off in the summer heat is to find a body of water and get to splashing, relaxing and PLAYING! With great water fun comes great responsibility, whether you’re family is at the home pool, beach, or water-park, water safety should be your top priority. The Red Cross recommends the best way to prepare the family for water is with age appropriate swim lessons. Having a child that is used to the water is helpful but does not take the place of supervision. Children that are good swimmers are still capable of the dangers in the water such as drowning. It’s always best to have several adults in the group that know CPR. If possible it’s recommended to swim where there is a lifeguard on duty. For more water safety tip checkout NFC water safety.
4. Bugs! – You’ve probably seen the swarms of love bugs everywhere while they are pesky little things, they are harmless. We’re more worried about mosquitoes, they can carry many diseases that could make anyone in the family sick. Mosquito bites also never seem to stop itching. The AAP recommends using bug repellents but more specifically repellents with DEET. These sorts of repellents also work against other biting insects such as ticks, fleas, chiggers, and biting flies. It’s important to note that bug repellents do not work against bees, wasp, and hornets.
5. Summer Travels – Your family may be on the move this Summer so having a traveling plan will be very important. Some things to keep in mind when traveling with children are make sure you take your time, rushing can cause things to be left behind but it also gives time for exploration and adventure. Travel earlier and plan for weather or potential delays, there’s not much of a crowd when you travel early and it gives you time to adapt to any changes or unplanned delays. It has been said that giving a child a way to express how they’re seeing their environment encourages them to explore their surroundings but keeps them engaged and busy. A good way to give your child the opportunity to document their surroundings would be to give them a camera.
For more information checkout the sites below:
https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer https://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Summer-Safety-Tips-Staying-Safe-Outdoors.aspx
For local swim lessons checkout:
http://fun4gatorkids.com/Sports-Programs/Swimming-Lessons/ http://alachua.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2015/05/swim-lessons-05012015.html
