Summer Safety Tips for Kids Offered by Martin's Point Health Care

From preventing lawnmower accidents to making sure kids drink plenty of water, parents can keep children safe

With the school year ending and summer getting underway for families, health experts at Martin’s Point are advising parents to be aware of a number of risks to help ensure a healthy and carefree summer for kids.

“The key element for parents and caregivers this summer is awareness,” said Leigh Kirchner, the Senior Health Educator at the Martin’s Point Health Education Center. “By understanding the risks, taking the necessary precautions and remaining vigilant, they can make sure the summer months are safe and fun-filled for their children.”

Martin’s Point, with assistance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, offers the following tips and advice:

Lawn Mower Safety
About 10,000 children are injured each year in lawnmower-related accidents.

Avoid mower mishaps by not allowing children under 12 to operate walk-behind mowers, sit on or come near riding mowers or power weed trimmers.

Children younger than 16 should not be allowed to use riding mowers.

Sturdy shoes – not sandals – need to be worn while mowing.

Poisons
Poisonous plants are among the leading cause of poisonings for children under 1.

Teach children never to eat outdoor plants such as berries, mushrooms, roots or leaves.

Keep children off chemically treated lawns that are still wet, and away from insect sprays, weed killers, lighter fluid and matches.

It’s a Bugs Life
Many chemicals found in bug repellent can be harmful if overused.

Use repellent sparingly and apply in well-ventilated areas, spraying only on shoes and clothes to prevent absorption into the skin. Repellent containing DEET is the most effective.

Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.

To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.

Sun, Sun Summertime
A bad sunburn as a child can double the risk of developing malignant melanoma as an adult.

Always use sunscreen, with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, when outside and plan outdoor activity in the morning or late afternoon, when the sun’s rays are not as strong.

Keep infants under six months away from direct sunlight. If no shade, a minimal amount of sunscreen to exposed areas is ok, but better to cover in lightweight clothes and brimmed hat.

Protect children’s eyes with sunglasses offering both UVA and UVB protection.

Hydration, Hydration
Active children lose the equivalent of two or more quarts of water daily, and are at risk of dehydration, especially in hot weather.

Encourage your child to drink water every 15-20 minutes while playing sports or playing outdoors in the heat, even if not thirsty.

Make water and juicy fruits accessible to children. Sweet soda and caffeine drinks actually can speed up dehydration.

Water Safety
A swimming pool in the yard can be very dangerous for children.

Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”

Make sure pool gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.

Keep rescue equipment – a shepherd's hook and life preserver – and a portable phone nearby.

Children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water. The jacket should not be loose and should always be worn as instructed. Adults should wear life jackets as well to set a good example.

Playground Safety

Swings should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.

Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.

Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children's legs from getting burned.

Safety on Wheels

Children should not be pushed to ride a 2-wheeled bike until they are ready, at about 5 or 6.

Buy a bike that is the right size, not one a child has to "grow into." Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.

Children need to wear a helmet on every bike, skateboard or scooter ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets.

Home Alone

Establish a regular schedule of "check-in calls" in which a child calls to let a parent know how and what he/she is doing.

Create a first aid kit and teach children how to use it. Establish a list of emergency phone contacts and keep it by the phone. Consider enrolling your child in a basic first aid class so they know how to respond to minor injuries.

Store alcohol and prescription medication where completely inaccessible to children.

Discuss “house rules” for how to respond to phone calls and visits from strangers.

For additional information, there are a variety of online sources, from the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.aap.org to the Skin Cancer Foundation at www.skincancer.org. June also is National Safety Month, and the National Safety Council has additional safety tips on its website at www.nsc.org.

Established in 1981, Martin’s Point is a not-for-profit health care provider with facilities in Portland, Brunswick and Windham, Maine, and in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and serves patients in the areas of family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, radiology, cardiology, and mammography, as well as other fields.

The Martin’s Point Health Education Center has a variety of related resource materials that includes publications and videos. The center also offers information and classes that focus on a host of other topics, ranging from weight loss and smoking cessation to disease management. One of the most popular programs is a workshop called, “Home Alone,” a program that provides basic safety information and skills for children ages 9 and older who are on their own at home for short periods. For additional information, visit online at www.martinspoint.org.

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