by Mary Calvagna, MS (with additional content by Susan B. Caragol)

“In the summertime, we definitely see an increase in the number of children who suffer injuries and other problems such as severe sunburns and allergic reactions to insect bites,” says Dr. Agnes Alikpala, chair of Pediatrics at St. Luke’s Hospital.

“Part of our job as pediatricians is to counsel children and their parents regarding how to avoid such health hazards,” she adds. “It’s important to be aware of the potential for drowning, to always wear the proper equipment for bicycling and skating, and to avoid sunburns and dehydration.”

Here are some safety tips to help make your child's summer a safe one.

Bike safety
It almost seems too obvious to say that wearing a helmet is the single most important safety factor in bicycling, yet many people continue to ride without a helmet. While head injuries are not common in bicycling, they can be deadly, so make sure your child always wears a helmet and that it fits properly. Other safety tips for bicycling include:

• Check the bike to make sure the brakes, reflectors, and tires are working.
• Adjust the seat to your child's height.
• Teach your child to check for traffic before entering a street or intersection by looking left and right.
• Show your child how to get off the bike at an intersection and walk it in a cross walk.
• Explain the rules of the road to your child. Bicycles are considered vehicles and must obey the same rules as motorists.
• Teach your child the proper hand signals for left turn, right turn, and stopping.
• Never allow your child to wear headphones while riding; headphones will block traffic sounds.

Scooter/skateboard/skating safety
As the popularity of scooters, skateboards and roller skates has increased, so has the number of injuries stemming from use of these items.

• Make sure your child has the proper protective gear—a helmet, wrist guards, and elbow and knee pads—and that he or she uses the gear every time.
• Teach your child to stay away from cars and other vehicles and to ride only on the sidewalk or paved off-road paths.
• Make sure your child rides during the daytime only.
• Never allow your child to wear headphones while riding a skateboard or skating; headphones will block traffic sounds.

Water safety
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death from injury in the United States among young people. Fractures and other injuries also can occur while participating in water sports.

• Teach your child how to swim.
• Never leave children unattended—even if they know how to swim – and do not rely on flotation devices to protect a child from drowning.
• Explain pool and water safety. Make sure children don't run or roughhouse near the pool.
• Teach your child to jump, instead of dive, into the water when the depth is unknown. No diving should be allowed in shallow areas.
• Never let your children swim during a lightning storm.
• Fence in all pooled areas with a locking enclosure.
• Always wear life preservers while water skiing, boating or rafting.
• Be aware of the added danger of hypothermia when swimming or boating where the water is cold.
• Watch out for the undertow at the beach.
• Take a Red Cross First Aid and CPR class.

Sun safety
Few things in life are more agonizing than severe sunburn, and infants and children are particularly susceptible. Plus, overexposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer. To protect your child from the sun’s damaging rays:

• Use sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 and apply to your child 20 minutes prior to sun exposure. Many doctors recommend a sunscreen with an SPF of 30. Even if it is cloudy outside, your child still needs sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.
• When possible, dress your child in light-colored fabrics that cover exposed areas.
• Make sure that your child drinks plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Try to avoid midday sun when the sun's rays are the most intense.
• Encourage your child to wear a hat with a visor or adequate brim and sunglasses that filter out ultraviolet rays.
• Be aware that exposure is intensified by sunlight reflecting off of sand or water, and that the atmosphere at higher elevations allows more ultraviolet rays to pass through.

Backyard/playground safety
That swing set and slide in your back yard can provide endless hours of amusement, but they can also cause serious injuries.

• Always supervise children when they are using play equipment.
• Be sure that children are wearing the appropriate clothing and shoes.
• When installing playground equipment, make sure it is at least six feet from obstructions such as walls and fences.
• Teach your child safe play habits, including sitting in the center of a swing (not off to one side) and not twisting the swing chains, which can reduce the chain's strength. In addition, tell your child to never walk in front of or behind moving swings.
• Keep children away from areas where lawn mowers are being used. Never allow children to ride on mowers.
• Make sure your child understands that the grill is not a toy. Keep your child from playing near it.

Bug bite safety
That annoying insect bite or bee sting could cause a fatal allergic reaction for some children. In addition, the increasing incidence of Lyme Disease, which is spread by tiny deer ticks, has become a major health concern. To keep bugs from bugging your child:

• Make sure your child wears shoes, which will help minimize the risk of a bee or insect sting on the feet.
• Have your child wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants that fit snugly around the wrists and ankles whenever hiking in the woods. This also will offer protection against poison oak.
• Use insect repellent sparingly on older children and never on infants. Repellents containing DEET should not be used on infants or young children. Wash off the repellent as soon as your child comes indoors.
• Check your child for ticks. If you discover a tick on your child, talk to your doctor about how to remove it.
• If your child develops a rash, hives, swelling or wheezing after an insect sting, he or she may be allergic. Seek prompt medical attention.

Fire safety
Summer campfires, barbecues and fireworks are major sources of burn injuries, as well as the cause of disastrous forest fires. To make your summer fire-safe:

• Keep small children away from all sources of fire, including matches, lighters and hot barbecue grills.
• Remember that fireworks are not only illegal, but also very dangerous, and attend only professionally managed fireworks displays.
• Do not leave campfires unattended, and be sure the campfire is out before you leave the campsite.

By paying attention to potential summer health hazards, you and your child can enjoy the pleasures of summer without worry. And isn’t a child’s summer meant to be carefree?

Resources:
Consumer Product Safety Commission
http://www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety/
A site geared for children with games, easy-to-understand information and lots of animation.

National Safe Kids Campaign
http://www.safekids.org/
A great site for parents.

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