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For kids, summer is all about playgrounds, pools, bicycles and the great outdoors. For parents, it means dealing with a variety of woes – including scratches, sunburn and dehydration, pediatricians say. (Also read on Healthshots | Baby Skin Care: 9 Best Tips to Protect Baby’s Skin,
“Children should have every opportunity to play and use their imagination, but we must take precautions to keep them as safe as possible,” said Dr. Danielle Mercurio, a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
Here are the key things pediatricians say you should keep an eye out for.
What to do when your baby gets overheated?
Mercurio said it’s important to take precautions in hot weather, especially with young children because they’re at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses. That means keeping a water bottle with them when they’re outside, wearing sun-protective clothing and mineral sunscreen, and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun.
Parents should also look for signs of fatigue in children and pay attention to the warmth and colour of their skin – if it’s red and hot, they probably need to rest indoors or in a shady spot.
Mercurio said you should also know what the three different heat-related illnesses are, each more severe than the other.
The first is heat cramps, and the only solution to this is to give children fluids that contain electrolytes – like coconut water or sports drinks – to replace the salts lost from the body through sweating.
The next level is heat exhaustion, which causes nausea, vomiting and feeling weak or uneasy. It is usually accompanied by a fever. You can move the child to a cool place, give them fluids, sprinkle water on them or place them in front of a fan to cool down.
If your child has all of these symptoms and is acting confused or reacting strangely, it is heat stroke, which requires a trip to the hospital. (Also read on Healthshots | Yoga for kids: 5 asanas to keep kids active and fit this summer,
Are fireworks safe for children?
Fireworks are fun and dazzling, but they are not for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children away from all types of fireworks.
Even firecrackers can be dangerously hot, said Dr. Pause Lisovacn, director of the University of Chicago’s Pediatric Injury Prevention Program.
He also said to avoid fireworks shows unless they are sponsored by a government agency and conducted by professionals in a controlled environment.
How to Play Safely in the Water
Pools, lakes and other bodies of water are common places for injuries in the summer, Lisovkon said.
One thing that’s important, he said: a designated adult whose sole job is to supervise kids while they’re in the pool. If you have an above-ground pool, make sure it’s surrounded by 4-foot walls so kids can’t get out when an adult isn’t around.
Dr. Christina Kratlian of Boston Children’s Hospital said any amount of water can cause drowning — even an inch of water can be dangerous for young children. She suggests emptying, turning over and deflating inflatable pools after each use.
According to Dr. Daniel Grant of Texas Children’s Hospital, if a child is pulled from the water and appears to be choking, having difficulty breathing or lethargic, it could mean he or she has water in his or her lungs and needs medical attention.
Soothes bruises and cuts
Kids fall off bikes and land on trampolines, and they come back with scratches and bruises.
Experts say that if your child is on a bike, he or she should wear a helmet; make sure it fits correctly and the strap fits snugly under the child’s chin. Injuries are also common on trampolines, especially when there are more than one child on at a time.
Parents should make sure that if children go to a playground, it “matches the child’s age,” Kratlien said. For example, a young child should not sit on a large swing that is not suitable for him or should not climb on tall structures. Metal slides can get hot in the sun, so check it before the child goes down.
Most scratches can be treated at home by cleaning them and applying antibacterial ointment and bandages, especially if they are not infected.
But take your child to the doctor whenever there’s a serious fall, especially to the head. Other warning signs include an inability to move an arm, leg, or joint; large cuts; and redness, pus, warmth, or streaks around the cut or scrape.
When in doubt, call your pediatrician, Grant said.
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