Childish Fun in the Sun

The lazy days of summer are quickly approaching. Before long, carpools and homework will be a distant memory and we will fill our days with all sorts of outdoor adventures. Unfortunately, the very features that make the summer so wonderful can also be very dangerous, especially for children. Luckily, a bit of planning and a tad of common sense can keep your family safe without interfering with even an ounce of fun.

Fun in the sun and fun in motion are what makes the summer so spectacular and dangerous at the same time. You may be surprised to learn that the heat and the sun do not necessarily go hand in hand. We can burn in the shade and get dehydrated on a cloudy day. It is possible to get too much sun without intense heat and it is also possible to experience hot temperatures without a lot of sun. And, when they occur together, there is double the trouble.

A child’s age dictates a great deal of what they can handle for heat and sun. Babies under 6 months of age should never be in direct sunlight – they burn too easily and sunscreens are not safe for children so young. Try to keep these tots covered in light clothing or shaded by an umbrella or stroller cover – and don’t forget the hat.

Small infants and children dehydrate quickly in the sun and heat so keep on hand some rehydration solutions or some good sports drinks. We all lose sugars and salts when we sweat and it’s important to replenish what we lose as we go to avoid a later problem. This is especially important in small children who tend to not want to drink when they feel very warm. Monitor small children for excessive sweating and sleepiness and encourage them to drink continuously.

For older kids, sunscreen SPF 15 or higher, hats with a brim, sunglasses and limiting sun exposure during the peak sun times (10am to 4pm) are the current recommendations of the American Academies of Pediatrics and Dermatology. Lube the entire body including feet, hands, noses, ears, back of the ears, lips. And, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when playing sports or swimming. It’s also important to have your children rest and have some sun-free time complete with lots of fluids. Keep popsicles on hand as well as sports drinks and encourage your child to carry a water bottle filled with either ice water or a sports drink.

Sunburns are true burns of the skin and can be serious if large and blistered. The discomfort of simple sunburns can be relieved with cool baths, moisturizers with aloe, and hydrocortisone. Large blistering areas many require more elaborate medical management and you should consult your doctor if large areas of blistering occur.

Bodies can get overheated to very dangerous temperatures. Any sunburn with headache, chills, fever is a medical emergency and it’s important to call your doctor or take your child to the nearest emergency room. Other warning signs to seek help for include lethargy, not tearing, vomiting and not urinating. Also remember not to leave a child in a car on a summer’s day even for a few minutes – a car can quickly heat up like an oven to temperatures that can and do take lives each summer.

So, as you prepare for the summer heat, keep these items on hand:

1. rehydration solutions and/or sports drinks
2. sunblock SPF 15 or higher
3. hats
4. sunglasses
5. stroller coverings or umbrella
6. fans for your house or an air conditioning unit if possible
7. portable water bottles

In addition to the sun, the summer months provide us with endless opportunities for outdoor and most of the best loves recreational activities all involve either motion, water or both. Kids love things that move and most kids nowadays wear helmets and appropriate pads naturally. This is one area that you should never compromise with your children. Any child old enough to learn to ride a bike, rollerblades, scooter, or skateboard is old enough to understand what will happen if they hurt their heads without wearing a helmet. Keep it simple: no helmet, no ride.

Keep in mind that small children, younger than ages 5 or 6, simply do not have the coordination or strength to master the skills needed to ride anything other than a cozy coupe, tricycle, 3-wheeled scooter, bike with training wheels, or bigwheel safely. And, kids younger than 8 years of age should never be allowed to ride a scooter. These young kids may very well be able to tell you all the rules of the road by heart but not yet the experience or developmental maturity to remember to follow them.

Here’s to safe outdoor fun – all year long.

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