Lifestyle

Summer should be full of child's play, not danger

By Healthy Kids
Dr. Edward Bailey
Published: May 30, 2008

The long school year is drawing to an end. While children (and teachers) are thinking ahead to vacation, parents are contemplating how to keep their kids busy and safe.

Being alert to potential summer perils may reduce the risk of injury or illness and provide a sense of security for parents and caregivers.

Abundant sunshine

We long all winter for hot, sunny summer days. Be careful, however. Even in New England, the sun's rays are powerful and potentially dangerous, especially for those who have had little to no UV exposure over the past six months.

In the short term, excessive sunbathing can cause pain and serious burns. In the long term, however, too much sun exposure can lead to premature aging and skin cancer.

Babies under 6 months old should not be exposed to the sun. Older children can be protected from increasingly dangerous UVA and UVB rays by wearing light clothing and hats and applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before venturing outside and reapplied every two hours or after swimming.

Heat stress

On a sunny, 70-degree day, the interior of a parked car can reach 120 degrees in 20 minutes. Within 40 minutes, the temperature can exceed 150 degrees. Never leave a child alone in a car. Children can quickly become seriously ill or die under those conditions.

Monitor the intensity of your child's activities on very hot days. Dress them in lightweight, dry clothing; limit the duration of their exercise, and encourage the consumption of water or a sports drink every 20 minutes, even if they are not thirsty.

Insects

Mosquitoes and ticks pose significant problems. Lyme disease, caused by the deer tick, has reached near epidemic proportions on the North Shore in the last few years. The disease can be prevented by rapid detection and removal of the tiny, pinhead-sized ticks. Lyme disease symptoms include fever, headache, lethargy and a characteristic rash that starts with a single, enlarging red circle.

Avoid ticks by clearing brush from your property, wearing long sleeves and pants when in a wooded area or when working around shrubbery, and always applying DEET, as directed (limit the concentration to less than 30 percent). When applied appropriately, DEET can be used safely on children 2 months and up.

Mosquitoes can also be dangerous. In Massachusetts, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus have been recurring summer problems. While the likelihood of contracting these infections is low, it's best to protect yourself by using DEET and avoiding exposure during periods of high mosquito activity, primarily at dusk. Help limit the proliferation of these pests by getting rid of stagnant water around your property.

Water

Most children are oblivious to water's potential risks. For many, their love of water, especially in hot weather, exceeds their understanding of water-based hazards. Almost 800 children drown every year in this country.

Enclose swimming pools with adequate fencing and certified secure gates. Never swim alone or leave your child unattended near any body of water, even for a second. Young children drown quietly, rarely splashing or calling for help. When in or near the water, keep young children within arm's reach and older children within sight at all times.

Enjoy this glorious season, but be mindful of summer's unique risks. For more information summertime dangers or illnesses, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site at www.aap.org.

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Dr. Edward Bailey is chief of pediatrics at NSMC North Shore Children's Hospital and is on staff at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. He is married and the father of three. You can contact him at enbailey@partners.org.