School Is Out!

Parental Warning: Depending on where you live in the United States, school is either out or soon to be out! Now don’t get me wrong, I like some time off with my family too. However, by the end of July, I am usually counting the days until school is back!

Summer Safety Tips: 1. Protect your child from the sun with a sunscreen of 15 SPF or higher. Re-apply the sunscreen every two to three hours, and after swimming or sweating. For optimal sun protection, your children should try to avoid outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

2. Keep your child well-hydrated. Before a sporting event, make sure your child drinks enough water so that he is no longer thirsty, and then have him drink another six to eight ounces. After 20 to 30 minutes of activity, have him drink another six to eight ounces, and repeat this process every 20 to 30 minutes. Water is adequate for activities lasting less than one hour. For activities longer than an hour, a carbohydrate and electrolyte beverage such as Gatorade or PowerAde is best.

3. Supervise all water activities. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. Maintain strict and competent adult supervision at pools, lakes, rivers and the beach. Remember, teaching your child to swim does not mean he is safe in the water alone. You need a fence or wall at least five feet high around your pool or spa to keep your child out when you're not around.

4. Enforce U.S. Coast Guard-recommended life-preserver use. Children under 12 and all non-swimmers should wear life preservers while around water. Inflatable toys (such as blow-up inner tubes and water wings) should not be used as life preservers.

5. Be prepared for stings. If your child is allergic to insect stings, be sure that he has a doctor-prescribed anaphylactic kit available such as an Ana-Kit or Epi-Pen.

6. Make helmets a rule. Children not wearing helmets are 14 times more likely to die from a bike crash than children wearing helmets. Protective gear including helmets should be worn every time your child goes biking, skateboarding and rollerblading. Parents should also wear protective gear to set an example.

7. Make sure your child's playground equipment is safe. Falls account for almost 90 percent of the most severe playground equipment-related injuries. Make sure your child's playground surface is filled with loose-fill materials such as shredded rubber, hardwood fiber mulch or chips, and fine sand. The loose-fill material should be at least 12 inches deep and extend at least 6 feet in all directions.

8. Never leave your child alone in a car — even for "just a minute." Children can die from heat stroke after being trapped in a car, even for a few minutes. Teach your child not to play in or around cars. And, make sure to keep your car doors and trunk locked at all times.

9. Keep your child on the sidelines if he's sick, especially if he has a fever, muscle aches, deep cough or excessive fatigue. Take your child to see his doctor before resuming sports.

10. Never encourage your child to “play through the pain.” If he has pain while performing an activity, have him stop the activity and consult your doctor.

11. Pay special attention to the timing of extensive outdoor activities. Lengthy outdoor activities, such as football or marching band practice, should be held in the early morning or late evening.

12. Avoid sudden increases in the intensity, duration or frequency of your child's exercise or sport training. Gradual increases of 10 to 20 percent per week will reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

13. Make sure your child wears the right protective safety gear. Children who do not wear the proper equipment are at greater risk of suffering sports-related injuries. Sixty percent of organized sports-related injuries occur during practices, rather than games.

14. Don't let your child over-pitch. Young pitchers should throw no more than 60 to 70 pitches per outing and should have at least three days rest before pitching again. Remember to count those “pitches” in the backyard with Dad, as well as throws in a game.

15. Make sure your child has a thorough pre-participation physical examination. Visit a qualified healthcare provider four to six weeks before the beginning of each sports season and between seasons, if your child has suffered an injury or illness.

If you have questions about your child’s participation in a sports activity, contact your primary care provider or other healthcare provider.

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