Monday, June 22, 2009

On Guard for Summer

By Mara Hernandez-Capili

Summer is the time for fun. Not just ordinary fun, it is fun under the heat of the sun. Summertime is the favourite season amongst many kids: No school, longer days, and lots of running around outdoors. School breaks for the summer and it is always the best time to plan a family get away.

Summer brings more outdoor activities, swimming, camping, bike riding etc. Most kids find summer as their favourite season. For parents, this is the time for awareness and cautiousness in keeping their kids safe and healthy. Keeping the family safe is one of the major concerns summer brings.

Family safety means being alert 24/7. During the rest of the year, most kids come to emergency rooms for illness or some infective disease, but during summer, a lot more of these are unintentional injuries. There are many safety tips professionals recommend.

Staying long hours under the sun might cause sunburns and skin infections to kids. Some parents' misapprehension is that they just grease their kids up the minute they get to the pool or beach. Fact is sunscreens take effects 20 minutes after the application. A smarter approach is that you put sunscreen before leaving the house and generously apply again every 2 hours. During beach and pool stay, never be sure enough to lull around and leave the kids alone. Even the best swimmers suffer tiredness and misjudge conditions. Keep watch from a spot that is close enough for you to respond in any case of emergency.

Make kids visible at all time. Always make sure kids wear reflective clothes during light out time. Most drivers do not notice kids in the streets. Bikes and scooters should have reflective appliqus for them to stay visible along the street. Summer is the time to chill out and have fun. But never forget that accidents are inevitable, it is best to keep safe at all times to not spoil the fun and spend the rest of the summer in a hospital bed.

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