Summer Safety Tips

As the weather warms up, it’s no surprise that your kids are going to want to be outside. It’s less of a surprise that you’re going to love getting them out of the house! However, it’s important to know that the sun, even in small doses, can cause harm to your child if not protected.

Whether it’s playing in the yard, swimming at the pool, or just taking the dog for a walk, it’s important to take a few extra steps to ensure your little one’s safety. Here are a few tips to help you remember.

If you’re planning a day outside, take a look at the weather. Because the sun’s rays aren’t hitting you directly, you may not feel as much heat, but that doesn’t mean the rays aren’t reaching you! Make sure you stay just as protected on a cloudy day.

If it’s going to be a scorcher, chances are you’ll want to seek shade between the hours of 10 A.M. and 4 P.M., or at least stay out of direct sunlight.

Babies 6 Months and Under

If you have a child under 6 months, keep them out of direct sunlight at all possible times. Find shade under a tree, an umbrella, or the stroller canopy. When possible, dress your children in cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body, such as lightweight cotton pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats. Should your infant get sunburned, apply a cool compress to the affected area. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office, and speak with our nursing staff.

SPF 15 or Greater is your Safest Bet

When purchasing sunscreen, make sure to pick one that is higher than SPF 15 to protect your child’s skin. In fact, most will say that SPF 30 is the go-to choice. Sunscreen should be applied to small areas such as the face and back of hands. Keep in mind that it takes at least 30 minutes for sunscreen to be effective. Sunscreen needs time to work, and more is never a bad thing! Reapplying sunscreen is a must, even if your child has been in the water. Sun resistant doesn’t mean water resistant!

Cover your Skin and Protect your Eyes

Light-colored cotton clothing or swim gear is better than bare skin. We know that it’s hot, and clothing is the last thing anyone wants to deal with, but light-colored clothing can reflect sunlight, causing less of a chance of sunburn. If your child is swimming, try to utilize swim gear to prevent direct sunlight.

It’s easy to forget that your eyes are a sensitive area, especially when focusing heavily on the skin. But, your eyes can receive just as much damage from the sun. Sunglasses, umbrellas, and hats can be huge helpers here.

The sun is fun, so we don’t expect you to ever avoid it all around. However, taking these few steps can prevent you and your child from burns, pain, and blisters, as well as potentially life-threatening issues such as cancer.

Make sure to check your child’s skin for suspicious-looking moles or burns, and contact Delaware Pediatrics today if you feel that your child is at risk of any possible skin issue.

For more information:

Please visit the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) website to read the full article on Sun Safety:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Sun-Safety.aspx 

Categorized in: Safety

This post was written by Delaware Pediatrics