Keeping your child safe during the long, hot summer

The weather is changing from rainy to sunny…school will soon be out… and summer vacation is just around the corner. Here are a few summer safety tips from Children’s Hospital Central California.

Sun is Fun

Try to keep children out of the sun between 10 a.m. and  4 p.m.—that is when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Most doctors do not recommend using sunscreen on babies less than six months old. It can cause a skin reaction. For this reason, babies under six months old should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible. A baby is more prone to sunburn as the skin is very thin. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy. Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs, using brimmed hats. 

If your child is over six months old, sunscreen can be used as long as it does not get in your child’s eyes or on the hands. Put on sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside. Use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15...the higher the SPF number, the more sun blocking protection from the sun. Using waterproof sunscreen when in the water decreases the need to reapply as often. 

It is very important for both children and adults to drink plenty of water during  those hot summer days. It is especially important for small children as they can  become dehydrated much more easily than adults.

Water Safety Tips

Never leave children alone in or near a pool, not even for a moment. Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length, provid- ing “touch supervision”. Do not consider children drown proof because they have had swimming lessons. Remember that a child can drown in as little as 1 inch of water. Always drain kiddy pools after children are done playing. Turn them face down to prevent it from being refilled by rainwater and sprinklers.

Enclose your pool on all four sides with a fence or barrier that is at least 5 feet tall. Make sure there are no foot or handholds on the fence that could help a young child climb it. It is best if the house is not one side of the barrier. However if it is, doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that make a sound you can hear when a door is unexpectedly opened. All gate entrances to the pool should be self-closing and self- latching, at a height children can’t reach.