Your child has been looking forward to summer all year long. But before they can cannonball into the local pool or ride off into the sunset on their scooters, it’s up to parents to set guidelines that will keep them safe.
The team at Northwest Pediatrics in Coeur d’Alene wants to make sure your kids can savor every drop of sunshine North Idaho has to offer. Read on to learn our providers’ top summer safety tips and prepare your child for a summer full of fond memories—and far fewer Band-Aids.
Sun safety for kids
More time in the sun means a higher risk for sunburn and heat-related illnesses. Follow these simple tips to help your child strike a healthy balance between outdoor fun and too much sun exposure.
Pack plenty of water. Encourage kids to take water breaks several times throughout the day, especially if they’re engaging in a lot of physical activity, like running around the yard at top speed. Children should drink water before they feel thirsty to avoid dehydration, which can lead to muscle cramps and even dangerous conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Avoid soda, iced tea, and energy drinks, which contain caffeine and can dehydrate kids.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Apply it 30 minutes before your child goes outside, and reapply it every two hours. Also reapply sunscreen after your child swims or sweats heavily. Sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) between 15 and 30 is recommended for most children by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Keep infants in the shade. Our youngest patients need a little extra care in the summer. Do not use sunscreen on babies 6 months and under. Instead, keep them in the shade, such as under an umbrella or tree.
Dress kids for the weather. Choose lightweight clothing made from breathable material like cotton. Sunglasses will shield your child’s eyes from the sun’s dangerous UV rays. Consider hats with a 3-inch brim that will keep the sun away from sensitive areas like the face, ears and back of the neck.
Take extra precautions on the hottest days of the year. If this year is like the past two years in North Idaho, we’ll see a few 100-degree-plus days in the heart of summer. On these sweltering days, limit kids’ outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the times when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.
Know the signs of heat-related illness. If your child feels dizzy, nauseaous, weak, or starts to develop stomach cramps while outside, bring them to a cool place immediately, either inside in air conditioning or in a shaded area. Offer cool water and apply cool compresses to their skin. Seek immediate medical care if:
- They seem confused
- Their body temperature rises to above 105 degrees
- Their skin is cool or clammy
- They experience a seizure.
These are signs of serious illness like heat stroke.
Kids’ water safety: Pools, lakes, and rivers
Kids love to splash around in the summer. Unfortunately, a day at the pool, lake or swimming hole can turn dangerous quickly. Nearly 1,000 children die from unintentional drowning incidents every year. That’s why water safety is so important in the summer. A few tips:
Designate a ‘water watcher.’ Never leave children alone in or near water. At least one adult who can swim (and knows CPR) should supervise children in the water at all times. Being a “water watcher” is a full-time job. Avoid reading, chatting or other activities that can divert your attention away from children. If several adults are present, take turns being a ‘water watcher.’
Secure your at-home pool. All home pools should be surrounded by a 4-foot-high fence with a self-closing gate. If you’re using an inflatable pool, discourage kids from leaning on the sides of the pool, which can collapse easily.
Enroll your child in swim lessons. Research shows that swim lessons are beneficial for children. Ask your pediatrician for guidance on when your child will be developmentally ready for formal lessons.
Wear a life jacket. The AAP recommends that children wear life jackets whenever boating or near bodies of water. Choose U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets that fit your child properly. A well-fitting life jacket cannot be lifted overhead once it’s fastened and should be able to keep your child’s chin above water.
Bike and outdoor play safety
It’s hard to find a driveway in the Inland Northwest in the summer without bicycles, scooters, skateboards and other wheeled toys. Here are a few strategies you can use to keep your child on their bicycle and avoid an unexpected trip to the doctor’s office.
Wear a helmet. Research shows that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries by 85%. Yet this is the one piece of advice kids tend to ignore. One way to encourage your child to wear their helmet is to let them pick it out and decorate it. A well-fitting helmet should sit level on a child’s head and cover their forehead. Replace helmets as children outgrow them. Ask your pediatrician for advice on the type of helmet needed for any sports-related activities.
Use other protective gear. In addition to a helmet, consider knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards for active kids, especially if they’re new to cycling, skating or scootering.
Other top summer safety tips
Bug bites: Bites and stings can be painful. They can also trigger an allergic reaction or lead to conditions like Lyme disease. Insect repellants can be helpful, especially if children will be walking in weeds, high grasses or bushes, or hiking near the tall cedar trees our region is famous for. The AAP recommends repellants containing between 10% – 30% of an ingredient called DEET for children 2 and older. Protective clothing like long sleeves and pants can also help prevent insect bites.
If your child suffers an insect bite, watch for signs of allergic reactions. Hives, itching and swelling are considered mild reactions. But if your child has difficulty breathing, swelling around the throat or tongue or other serious symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.
Fireworks: Fireworks injuries lead to nearly 10,000 emergency room visits each year, and nearly one-third of those injuries happen to kids. Even handheld fireworks like sparklers, which many people consider “safer,” can reach temperatures as high as 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep your children safe, we recommend taking the kids to a public fireworks display instead of using fireworks at home.
A Pediatrics practice that puts your child first
At Northwest Pediatrics, we want to make this the best—and healthiest—summer yet for you and your child. While these tips offer general recommendations, each child is unique. If you have specific questions about how to best protect your child, just ask us. We’d be happy to discuss your concerns and offer helpful tips that can keep you and your family safe all season long. Make an appointment. Call 208-619-8250.