Whether you’re letting them play in the backyard or at a local park, parents should follow these helpful tips to ensure their children’s health and wellbeing:
- Designate An Adult To Supervise Playtime
This is especially true if children are playing in an area with hazard risks, such as swimming pools, trampolines, or glass furniture. Here is a checklist to follow before your let your kids loose outside:
- Make sure tools and lawn/garden chemicals are safely locked away.
- Don’t mow the lawn when children are outside, as twigs and rocks can turn into projectiles.
- Don’t leave hot grills unattended.
- Empty wading pools after each use.
- Shield Them From Sunburns
All it takes is a few serious sunburns to increase your child’s risk of getting skin cancer in adulthood. Cover your child’s exposed skin in SPF 30 or higher sunscreen before they venture outside and reapply it every two hours. If your child will be swimming, reapply it every hour to make sure they don’t burn. For children with sensitive skin, opt for chemical-free sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the only active ingredients.
For added UV protection, have your child wear light-colored long sleeves, a hat, and/or a pair of sunglasses that come with UVA/UVB protection. Keep in mind that the sun’s UV rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Keep The Fluids Flowing
Children don’t sweat as much as adults when it’s hot outside, making it harder for them to regulate their body temperature. To avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion, push clear fluids on your child before, during and after outdoor activities.
How much water your child should drink depends on a lot of factors, including their age, weight, height, activity level, and the temperature outside. However, a good rule of thumb is to give 4 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes. If your child isn’t keen on drinking plain water, you can add sliced citrus fruits or fun straws to make it more enticing.
- Take Action On Allergies
Seasonal allergies can be miserable for children. To help mitigate their symptoms, have them take a bath or a shower when they come back inside to wash off pollen. Taking over-the-counter (OTC) nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines as directed by a pediatrician can help greatly at preventing allergy symptoms, too.
- Protect Against Bugs
This time of year, flying insects can ruin enjoyment of outdoor activity for children and adults. Use an EPA-approved bug spray on clothing instead of bare skin if possible, and rinse it off when your children come back inside. It’s also crucial to avoid wooded and brushy areas with tall grass to avoid tick bites.
Premier Medical Associates is an award-winning practice with a dedicated pediatric care team. If you would like to set up an appointment for your child or anyone else in your family, find a location near you and request an appointment. We are open for in-office visits, and are currently offering video visits to patients who would prefer to stay at home. Call us today!
