As most parents know, summer time means fun in the sun with your child.
Swimming is a summer time favorite, whether you love to splash in the
pool, take a dip in the lake, or make waves at the beach; it is best to
know how to keep your child as safe as possible. In this article we will
discuss tips on how to keep your child safe in the sun and when playing
in and around water.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related
death among children 1 to 4 years of age. A swimming pool can be a ton
of fun for you and your family, but there are hidden dangers to consider.
Below are tips from Safe Kids to make sure you stay safe at the pool this summer:
• Make sure backyard pools have four-sided fencing that is at least
4 feet high, with a self-closing, self-latching gate, to prevent children
from wandering into a pool area unsupervised.
• Never leave children alone in or near open bodies of water as there
is no substitution for active supervision.
• Teach your child to always swim with an adult.
• Every child is different, so enroll your child into swimming lessons
when you feel they are ready.
Sunburns look bad and feel worse. Even though the sun is hot, you don’t
need to hide from it completely. Just follow this fun, simple message
from the American Cancer Society to help you remember these basic sun
safety tips. Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap!
• Slip on a shirt- clothing is the most effective form of protection
against UV radiation.
• Slop on sunscreen- make sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30
or higher. Apply 15 to 20 minutes prior to going out in the sun. Make
sure to reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, especially if you are
going to be swimming or sweating in the hot sun.
• Slap on a hat- For the most protection, wear a hat with a brim wide
enough to shade your face, ears, and the back of your neck.
• Wrap on sunglasses- Sunglasses protect your eyes, eyelids, and the
delicate skin around your eyes. Make sure your sunglasses have a label
saying they block UV rays.
For more information on tips to keep you and your family safe this summer visit
http://www.safekids.org or call Kayla Hefner at Health First Center of Valley Hills Mall at 828/485-2300.