Summer Health Tips: Kids

The weather is getting warmer and the school year is almost over. Now is the time to start thinking about how to keep your kids safe and healthy throughout the summer. Here are ten great summer health tips for kids.

1. The summer sun is extremely hot and many children suffer heat stroke every year. One thing to help prevent this is to make sure your child is drinking plenty of water.
2. Many children ride their bikes around town during the summer. Bike helmets are a top priority to their safety. Make sure your child's clothes are brightly colored and that the bike is the right size for your child. These same rules apply for children who ride skateboards or scooters.
3. Children with asthma often have a difficult time during the summer. Make sure you have your child's medications and supplies in a convenient and easy to get to location.
4. Every shade of skin needs protection from the sun. Make sure your children are wearing sunscreen whenever they are outside during the day. Waterproof sunscreen is best for the days your child will be getting wet. Make sure to read the directions to know how often to reapply!
5. Many households open their windows during the summer. Make sure open windows have screens so your child does not fall out. Window guards are also a good idea as well as moving the furniture away from windows. Many children are hurt or killed every year from falling out of an open window.
6. If you have a pool in the yard, install a pool alarm. This will let you know if your young child accidentally falls in the pool.
7. Use insect repellant if your child will be near woody areas or parks, especially in the evening when the mosquitoes come out. Also, do a tick check when your child comes in from playing outside in the woods or grassy areas.
8. Children should not be left in a car alone. Aside from the danger of abduction, the temperature in the car will rise drastically from the hot summer sun. Children die every year of sunstroke due to being left alone in a hot car.
9. Never leave your child alone near water. Floaties and rafts often give children a false sense of security and they may venture into deeper water when they shouldn't.
10. Teach your children about stranger danger. They should know what to do in a situation if they get separated from you, as well as what to do if a stranger approaches them. Stranger Danger also applies to Internet use. You should know your child's computer passwords and have child protector software installed. You should also check the history of the websites your child has visited.