Summer Safety and Our Children
Can you tell us about the latest recommendations and guidelines concerning protecting children from mosquitoes and other insects?
- Minimize use of any perfumed soaps or lotions that might attract insects
- Avoid standing water – insects can be lying in wait there
- Insect repellants with DEET are still felt to be the most effective against the most dangerous insects – like ticks with Lyme disease or mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus.
- Concentration of DEET should be between 10 and 30% percent DEET should not be used in infants younger than 2 months
What can parents do to treat an itchy bug bite once it is present?
- Consult your doctor about the possible use of a long acting antihistamine daily or when your child will be outside for a long time; This type of medicine will help prevent allergic reaction in the first place and once a bite is present will help with itching
- Topical steroids placed on the bite may help alleviating swelling and itching
- Watch for signs of infection (redness, pain, swelling, boil formation with high fever if any of these are present, call a doctor immediately
When should a parent worry about their child contracting West Nile virus from a mosquito bite?
- Most children only become mildly ill when they are infected with the West Nile virus. A child may experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes skin rash and swollen glands.
- A parent should worry when a child shows signs of encephalitis, which includes symptoms of severe headache, seizures, high fever, stiff neck, and disorientation.
Tips for minimizing sunburns
- Recommended to start using sun block at 6 months of age
- Under 6 months of age, the official American Academy of Pediatric recommendation is still to avoid direct sun and to dress infants in outfits with long sleeves and pants. Don’t forget to add a hat! If there is absolutely no way to avoid the sun, parents could put sunscreen on small areas of the body like the face and back of the hands.
- For older children use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater
- Apply 30 minutes before going outside – even when it is cloudy
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours
- Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
What precautions can parents take to prevent their children from drowning in pools this summer?
- Wait until a child is over 5 years of age to put a pool in your yard
- Formal swimming lessons for children >3 years
- Watch child at all times while he or she is in the water
- Learn CPR
- Have a phone near the pool
- Have proper safety equipment poolside
- Fence directly around the pool
- Pool alarms and/or door alarms
How can we use our lawn mowers safely around children?
- Children less than 16 years old should not use riding lawn mowers
- Children less than 12 years old should not use push mower
- Older children should wear heavy shoes while using mower
- Should use hearing and eye protection
- Do not pull or drive mower backward unless absolutely necessary, and look very carefully behind you when do mow in reverse
- Pick up objects in lawn before mowing to prevent injuries from flying objects
- Do not allow children to ride as passengers on riding lawn mowers
How can we lower the chances of heat exhaustion in children while they are playing outdoors or participating in organized summer sports?
- Children must stay well hydrated
- Light colored clothing
- Replace wet clothing with dry as soon as possible
Do you have any tips regarding bicycle safety?
- Always wear a helmet
- Child should use properly sized bike
- http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm#choosing
Recommended websites:
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/summertips.htm (main source for this information)
http://www.kidsource.com/safety/summer.safety.art.html
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/cgi-bin/search.pl
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/west_nile.html