6 Summer Safety Tips for Babies and Kids
Itâs summertime, and the living is easyâŚfor kids, at least! For parents, all of that zipping across the playground, paddling around the pool, and frolicking in the sun can bring seasonal worriesâŚranging from scrapes and sunburns to more scary stuff, like drowning risks. However, by following a few common-sense safety tips, you can all enjoy some fun in the sun!Â
Suit up with sun protection.
Slather up toddlers and big kids in sunscreen if youâll be outdoorsâŚand reapply it every two hours! To properly cover your childâs body, you need to use about a 30 grams of sunscreen (thatâs about a shot glass worth!). For a kidâs face, you need about a half a teaspoon. Use mineral sunscreens when you can, and steer clear of aerosol spray sunscreens, which can cause coughing and wheezing in kids. And, babies under 6 months shouldnât wear sunscreen at all. Instead, protect your lovebug in other ways: Find a shady place to sit (or put that stroller canopy to use), and dress your little one in a sun hat and loose-fitting clothing that cover her arms and legs.Â
Protect your little ones from mosquitoes (and other pests!).
Bug bites are on the riseâŚand with that, so are bug-borne diseases! If youâll be spending time outdoors in a spot also frequented by mosquitoes, ticks, or other creepy-crawlies, youâll want to make sure youâre keeping your precious little ones protected. Keep bug bites away by wearing clothes they canât bite through (long sleeves and pants, in woven fabrics), and avoid peak hours for bugs (this tends to be evenings for mosquitoes). For infants, use a mosquito netâsuch as Shoo, which securely attaches to SNOO to keep out pests. Try your best to avoid using chemical bug repellantsâŚbut if you must, apply it to your clothes instead of your skin (and really try to avoid using it on little kids and babies!).
Practice water safety.
Children under 5 are at the greatest risk for accidental drowning deaths, and research shows that many of these deaths happen when parents are distracted. An adult should supervise children at all times when they're around water, and NEVER leave children unattended in the pool for even just a few minutes. Itâs a smart idea to designate a specific person to be the pool supervisorâŚdon't assume someone is keeping watch. Also, keep in mind that you canât rely on a childâs flotation device or toys to keep your child afloat. However, you should make sure rescue equipment is on hand and accessible in the pool area. And of course, itâs wise to enroll your child in swim lessonsâand yourself in CPR trainingâjust in case.Â
Be ready to childproof on-the-go.
Though lots of fun for Mum and Dad, vacation homes and hotel rooms arenât always the most baby- or toddler-friendly destinations. So, as youâre packing your suitcase, make sure you throw in a few childproofing tools, including socket covers or bandage tape to cover outlets and cotton balls or bumpers to use on sharp corners. When you first arrive at your destination, get down on hands and knees to give yourself a babyâs-eye-view of the place. This will help you noticeâand preventâhazards like loose change that could be a choking risk, furniture that isnât properly anchored, or dangling cords.
Create a summer first aid kit.
Summertime means endless exploringâŚbut all of that frolicking tends to come with more boo-boos than usual. Be prepared for an uptick in scrapes, splinters, sunburns, and other minor injuries by kitting out your medicine cabinet with a few extra suppliesâŚlike some extra bandages, ointments, sunscreen, pain reliever, aloe, etc. Even better: Stash it all in a kit that you can carry along with all of your summer adventures!
Stay hydrated!
Dehydration is a real drip, so itâs important to stay hydrated when itâs hot outside! Kids under 8 need about 4 to 6 glasses of water a day (more if theyâre active!). Offer water with meals and snacks, and be sure to pack a water bottle if youâll be away from home. And for babies who canât yet have water, that means making sure theyâre getting plenty of breastmilk or formula.
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