KEEPING FAMILIES HEALTHY IN THE SUMMERTIME

(Article published in HWW June 2009)

by Lizanne Fontaine, RN JD, Care for the Homeless

Children and their families often look forward to the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, with its warmer weather and the chance to be outside. Here are some tips for keeping your family healthy this summer.

Preventing Injuries

It is wonderful for children to play outside in the summertime. Exercise is important for healthy bodies. But young children must be watched closely at the park or in playgrounds since falls from trees, benches and play equipment are a common source of injury. Cuts and scrapes should be washed immediately and bandaged, if needed. Children should wear shoes to prevent burns. Concrete and playground surfaces get hot in the summer.

Every year, nearly 300,000 children are hurt in this country in bicycle accidents. Half of those accident result in brain injuries. In New York State, a child who is less than one year old cannot be a passenger on a bike, even if in a special seat or fastened to the rider in a pack. Children between the ages of 1 and 14 using scooters, bicycles, and roller skates must wear helmets, even if they are just a passenger. They are also required to wear bright clothing if riding or using equipment with wheels just before sunset and just before sunrise.

Preventing Drowning

Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 14. The majority of drownings and near-drownings occur in swimming pools and in open water sites, such as the ocean. However, children can drown in as little as one inch of water. They can and do sometimes drown in wading pools, bathtubs, buckets, diaper pails, and toilets.

Drowning can occur quickly and silently. It can happen in a matter of seconds and usually happens when a child is left unattended or the caregiver is distracted. A child can lose consciousness after two minutes of being under water and unable to breathe. Watch any child in your care very carefully when he or she is in water, even if there is a lifeguard on duty. Never leave a child in the bathtub to answer the telephone or the doorbell.

Keeping Skin Healthy

Since children wear less clothing on hot summer days, it is important to protect their skin. In addition to cleaning cuts and scrapes when they occur, it is important for children to wear sunscreen. Even children with dark complexions need protection from the sun's harmful rays. Skin doctors recommend daily use of a sunscreen that has at least an SPF of 15. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and the number indicates the strength of the lotion. A baby's skin is very delicate and should be kept in the shade or covered with light clothing. Don't forget a hat to protect the head and shade the eyes.

Have children take breaks away from direct sunlight during the day. They may go inside, sit under a shade or use an umbrella. For older children, taking a break after two hours in the sun is reasonable. Infants and toddlers should have less time in the sun before they take a break.

Summertime Eating and Drinking

It is important for children playing on warm summer days to drink plenty of liquids so they do not become dehydrated. Babies and children can become dehydrated much more easily than adults. A good rule to remember is that children should drink about ½ cup of fluid every hour while they are awake. Drinking too much soda or taking in too many sugary foods can cause the body to lose fluid and bring on dehydration sooner. Encourage children to drink water or eat “wet foods” like oranges, watermelon, grapes, cucumbers, celery, and juice popsicles. Dilute juices with water to help provide more water and less sugar calories. A child who is well-hydrated has light-yellow urine. A dark color may indicate dehydration.

In warm weather, it is important not to let bacteria grow on food and cause upset stomachs, diarrhea or food poisoning. Never leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours. One hour is best when it is warmer than 90 degrees. Keep hot food over a heat source and keep cold food on ice. If you are having a picnic or eating outdoors, keep foods that can spoil in a cooler with ice. Set the cooler in the shade and open the lid as little as possible. If you are having a barbeque, make sure to grill all meats thoroughly. Do not feed raw meats to children.

Schedule School Check-Ups

Children need to have their check-ups, and have their shots updated, before they go back to school in the fall. Don't wait until late in the summer to make the appointment. Make the appointment early, and the necessary forms will all be completed before the new school year starts.