Summer Safety Tips
by Jan Protiva, M.D
Summer is here! Get Outdoors and enjoy yourselves! Here are some basic health
and safety tips to help assure you have a fun filled summer, free from injury.
Information was obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health,
the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the
Children's Safety Network, and the National Safe Kids Campaign.
Sun Burn
One in six Americans will develop skin cancer; sun exposure accounts for 90% of
these cases. Prevent skin cancer by using a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor
(SPF) of 15 or higher that provides UVA and UVB protection. Apply generously and
don't forget the nose, lips, ears and top of feet. Apply at least 30 minutes before
going outdoors and reapply after swimming or sweating and every 2 hours, even
if the sunscreen is waterproof or water resistant. Use hats to shade the scalp,
face and neck. Protect your eyes and prevent cataracts later in life by wearing
99-100% UVA and UVB blocking sunglasses.
Keep infants (up to one years
old) out of the sun as much as possible. Their skin is extremely sensitive and
they also are at much higher risk of heat stroke and dehydration. Keep them
in the shade dressed in lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs, wearing
a brimmed hat. While sunscreen is NOT recommended for use in infants under age
6 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics has approved use of small amounts
of non- alcohol based sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher to the face and backs
of the hands (areas not protected by clothing) when sun exposure is unavoidable.
Additional facts to be aware of: The most damaging rays are between 10am and
3pm- try to stay indoors or in the shade during these hours. Skin can be damaged
by the sun in as little as 15 minutes, while taking up to twelve hours before
the effect is fully noticeable. Once your skin starts to look a little pink,
get out of the sun. Clouds do not protect you from the harmful effects of the
sun. Sand, concrete and water can reflect up to 50% of the suns rays onto your
skin, even if you are under an umbrella or in the shade, so use additional protective
measures.
Water Safety
Each year approximately 4000 people in the US die from drowning, including
almost 1000 children under the age of 15 years. Most children who drown in pools
were in the care of an adult at the time it happened. It only takes a few seconds
for a child to drown or near drown, in less than the time it takes to answer
the phone. Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water. NEVER leave a
child alone in or near a pool. Keep infants and toddlers within arms reach whenever
they are near or in water. Empty out buckets and wading pools when not in use.
Don't use inflatable swimming aids, as they give children a false sense of security,
and are not life jacket. A child is not developmentally ready for swim lessons
until age 4 years. Don't let your guard down once your child completes a swim
program - supervision is still needed to prevent drowning. Swimming pools should
be surrounded on all sides by a 5 foot high fence, with a self closing, self
latching gate. The latch should be too high for a small child to reach. Keep
a portable phone and rescue equipment at pool side - a shepherds hook and a
life preserver. Adults supervising children should be trained in life saving
and infant and child CPR.
At the ocean or a lake, pay attention to the water depth, the undertow, and
the waves. Don't allow diving into the water unless the water depth is known
to be greater than 9 feet. When in a boat, children should wear life jackets
at all times. The jackets must fit properly the right size, with all the straps
fastened and fitting snugly. Water wings, rafts and air mattresses are not life
jackets, and should not be used as such.