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What can I do to make sure my child is safe this summer?

Summer is a great time of year for families – it offers so many possibilities for outdoor activities. However, while there’s endless fun in the sun to be had, there are also a few safety tips you should always bear in mind.
 
First, you’ll want to avoid dehydration. As the temperature soars – while at home or abroad - your child can quickly over heat. That can lead to dizziness, headaches and even more severe problems. To avoid this, make sure that for every hour your child is out doors during hot summer weather, he or she has at least one drink. It’s a good idea to let your child drink a lot of water before heading into the sun too, as it can take time to absorb. Ideally, this liquid should be plain water, but adding a little flavour in the form of orange or lemon juice, or even letting your child have frozen lollies are also good alternatives.

If your child is riding a bicycle already, then bicycle safety is another non negotiable summer safety area. Make it a rule that your child does not ride his or her bicycle without a helmet. Its been proven that as many as seventy five percent of children’s bicycle related deaths are due to the child not wearing a helmet, so make sure your child is safe. Add knee and elbow pads too – they will prevent cuts, scratches and other injuries in the event of a fall.

Insects are another unavoidable part of summer. However, with children being allergic to bee stings, and diseases like lyme disease attributable to ticks, they’re not as innocuous as you think. Use insect repellent on your child when you’re outdoors, and dress him or her in light colours – many insects are attracted to dark colours.

When it comes to sun safety, make sure that your child is always slathered with a high SPF sun protection cream, and that you reapply often. Make wearing a hat the rule, and avoid the sun during the hottest hours of the day – between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. To make sure that sunscreen is effective, be sure to check the expiration date, and apply it well before you venture into the sun, to allow the chemicals to do their work.

When your child is in the water, the rule is that he or she should never be out of arm’s reach. Since it takes only four minutes for a child to die from drowning, and since it can happen in very little water (an inch or less) that means never leaving your child alone with any type of water. If the phone rings, either let it ring, or get your child out of the pool before you head into the house. Ditto any other distractions. You should also outfit your child with water wings or another type of pool safety device whenever he or she ventures into the water.

Never, ever leave your child in a parked car – even for a few minutes. While it may seem that you’re only going to be a short time, and that your child will be okay, remember that the temperature in a parked car increase quickly with no ventilation. Avoid accidents by ensuring that your cars doors and boot are locked whenever you park it, so that your child can’t climb into it and get stuck.

Practice playground safety when you take your child to the park. Look for playgrounds that are well designed, and make sure that you or your partner are constantly supervising your child’s play. Thousands of children are treated for playground related injuries every year, so don’t assume that it’s safe because it’s made for children!

Choose light, cotton clothing for summer, that won’t irritate your child’s skin, and will allow it to ‘breathe’. Loose fitting clothes, that don’t make too much contact with the skin can also help to prevent a breakout of the irritating rash known as prickly heat.

Look out for poisonous plants and nettles. There are plenty of plants that can cause rashes and other skin irritations, and if you’re planning a hike, make sure that you keep your child well away from any unidentified foliage. Stock up on products that treat rashes from plants before you venture out, and make sure that you wash any clothes that your child may have worn close to those types of plants well – some forms of plant sap can even cause irritation when you come into contact with clothes that have touched them.

Last, but not least, there’s road safety. If you’re heading out on a road trip this summer, make sure that your child is always securely buckled into a car seat, and that you observe good driving safety practices. Keep car seats and booster seats in the back seat, particularly if you have air bags, and make sure that your child stays hydrated in a potentially hot car.

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