Summer Safety in kids is a subject most parents often worry about. With the change in climatic conditions, the growth of infections rises significantly. Here emerges the need for awareness, particularly for children. As summers are near, it’s time to learn some safety guidelines to ensure your kid’s protection.
Keep your Kid Hydrated Enough
Summers bring along increased water requirements. Our sweat glands become proactive with increased room temperature and humidity, resulting in heavy water loss during perspiration. Increased physical activities and playing outdoor sports even induce the process. For the same reasons, fluid demands in the body get triggered. Accordingly, ensure that kids drink water frequently and in sufficient quantities.
- Ask them to drink water every 30 minutes. On the days when it’s superheated, consider sprinkling water from a spray bottle. On such days, avoid them from exercising intensely as well.
- Add some electrolytes to their water. It will also reduce the chances of dehydration.
- Make your child bathe daily. It helps to regulate the overall body temperature and avoids excess sweating.
Safety From Sun
In summers, the sun is the controlling element of everything going around. One needs to take special care before getting into the sun’s exposure. Here are a few aspects you should certainly not miss.
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Apply Sunscreen:
Sunscreen acts as an essential tool to defend against harmful sun rays. Continuous UV exposure leads to various skin problems like moles, wrinkles, and skin cancer during later years. Ensure your kid applies sunscreen thoroughly every time before stepping out. It will also control issues like sunburn and tanning.
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Limit Exposure To Sun
Try to stay indoors as much as possible. If going out is required, avoid it during peak hours, i.e., 10 AM – 4 PM.
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Don’t Forget Sunglasses
Whenever stepping out, ensure your kid wears sunglasses. It protects their eyes from damage caused by UVA & UVB rays.
UV rays affect the eyes even more than the skin. Encourage your child to wear sunglasses every time they move out in the sun. Shop sunglasses recommended for your child’s size. You need not spend much on expensive sunglasses. An object tagged to prevent UVA & UVB rays up to 99-100% will serve the purpose enough.
Practise Food Safety Precautions
With the increase in temperature and humid conditions, the expansion of bacteria and germs becomes dynamic. It leads to sudden foodborne diseases such as typhoid and food poisoning. If left untreated, it can result in severe illnesses such as haemorrhage, intestinal bleeding, and respiratory problems. Here are a few tips to prevent foodborne illnesses:
- Make sure to wash your hands before and after preparing or serving meals. Teach table manners to your child and ask them to wash or sanitise their hands before eating. To learn more about the importance of hand washing, check this out.
- Cook meat and other poultry items beyond recommended temperatures. It will kill any harmful bacteria which might be present in the food.
- Make optimum use of the refrigerator. Do not leave any leftovers unrefrigerated for more than two hours.
- Avoid cross-contamination. Never leave meat and poultry with other food items. It perishes the vegetables and fruits and makes them unfit for consumption.
Protect Your Child Against Insects And Bugs
Bugs, insects, and flies are the hardest to handle in summers. These could be potential-infection carriers and cause severe illness, especially to children. Here are the tips to prevent it:
- Ask your child to wear full-sleeved garments.
- Make active use of mosquito repellents. Consult your paediatrician before picking one for your child to ensure that it’s safe and compatible with your baby’s skin type.
- Do not allow water to accumulate in tanks and pools and maintain hygiene as much as possible.
- Keep the food items suitably covered. It will prevent flies from settling on them.
Wear Pastel Shades Garments
Pastels turn out to become everyone’s favourite during summers. Such shades absorb less heat, therefore keeping your body cool. Upgrade your child’s wardrobe and add a few calm and soothing clothes. They will shortly become their choice, too!
Overview
Summers are one of the best times of the year. With increased awareness and practice of suitable precautions, you can ensure your kid’s security during this disease-inclined time. This summer, spend time with your kid while staying indoors and let them explore a few safety measures with you.
Happy Summer!!
References
Summer safety tips for Children | Medindia
Summer Safety Checklist for Kids (verywellfamily.com)
Seven Summer Safety Tips for Kids | Starlight Children’s Foundation
