School will be out before we know it, meaning more kids will be outside playing with friends and traveling with their family.
Pediatricians from Johns Hopkins Medicine have the following tips for how kids can stay safe while enjoying their summer vacation.
Protect yourself from the sun. Make sure to wear sunscreen and sun protective clothing to help prevent sunburn while having fun outside. John Hopkins says children under 18 are the most at risk for skin damage from the sun’s UV rays. When outside, make sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating to stay protected.
Stay away from burn hazards. Summer fun can include grills or bonfires for some families, but these can be a serious risk for young children. Pediatricians recommend not letting children come within 5 feet of a hot grill or barbecue. Experts also recommend never pouring anything flammable, like gasoline or lighter fluid, onto a fire. Make sure all fires are properly extinguished with water.
While on the topic of grilling, experts warn to avoid using wire grill brushes to clean grills.
“I would recommend avoiding grill brushes with metal wires,” says Meghan Martin, pediatric emergency medicine physician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “These wires can become dislodged and end up in the food that was cooked on the grill. This can cause injuries to the mouth and throat and intestines. Swap out your metal wire grill brush for a different kind to easily avoid this risk.”
Wear a helmet! Having kids wear a helmet while riding bicycles, scooters or skateboards outside can help prevent head and brain injuries. Parents can set a good example for their kids by wearing helmets themselves while out on family bike rides. You can learn more on bicycle helmet safety by clicking here.
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Protect your family from bug bites. Summertime is the peak season for ticks and mosquitos, which can carry diseases. Pediatricians recommend wearing long sleeves, close-toed shoes and pants tucked into boots while out in heavily wooded areas to prevent bug bites. Also make sure to have bug spray handy and always check your children for ticks after playing outside.
Stay safe near the water. Make sure your family is following best water safety practices while out on the lakes or rivers this summer!
Click here for 4 News Now’s previous coverage on how to keep your family water safe this summer.
Watch for signs of dehydration. Summer tends to include hotter temperatures, which can lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion a lot faster. John Hopkins says this is especially true for children, who don’t cool down as fast as adults. Make sure your children always have a filled water bottle with them and are drinking it regularly.
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