Enjoy summer fun with our safety tips

Summer is in full swing, full of fun activities including weekends at the shore, swimming at the local pool, bike rides around the neighborhood and roasting s’mores by the campfire. Kids love taking part in the fun, and it’s our job as adults to ensure they do so safely. Here are some essential tips to remember as your family makes its way through bright, sunny summer days:

• Sunscreen is a must, but it’s also important to wear hats and sunglasses to protect from UVA and UVB rays.
• Keep the water bottle handy. Children often lose fluids quicker when they sweat and therefore can become dehydrated faster.
• Always check playground equipment to ensure it’s not too hot. Slides and swings can burn children’s skin.
• Never let kids swim alone. While swim lessons are important and recommended, they are not a substitute for close parental supervision.
• Pack a first-aid kit if a camping trip is in your plans as a precaution for any sprains, cuts, bruises and insect bites.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET for your child’s exposed, undamaged skin only. For shorter outdoor play (1-2 hours) a 10% concentration is sufficient. For anything longer, a concentration of 10-30% is recommended.
• Avoid products containing both sunscreen and DEET. Sunscreen should be applied multiple times throughout the day while DEET only needs to be applied once.
• Conduct tick checks after playing outside.
• Remove sources of standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
• Keep your grill out in the open and away from the house, and ensure children and pets stay away from open flames.

For more summer safety tips and to schedule a primary care appointment for you or your family, visit trinityhealthma.org/scheduling.