Have Safe Fun in the Hot Sun!

Have Safe Fun in the Hot Sun!

By Katie Barker and Will Florence, Health educators

Looking to have some fun this summer – safely? We have a few tips for staying safe out in the heat this summer. 

At the beach: Being at the beach or pool is a great way to get your family active and stay cool during the summer. Plus, swimming is a great way to encourage your kids’ imagination. Challenge kids to swim like a mermaid or an octopus.  It’s also important to keep these tips in mind while enjoying the cool water.

• Teach children not to swim alone, even if they are strong swimmers.
• Keep younger children within an arm’s reach of an adult, and always make sure an adult is supervising older children. 
• Wear “coast-guard-certified” life vests when needed, such as during boating (floaties, water wings, etc. are not a sufficient substitute).
• Skip breath-holding games because these can lead to hyperventilation.
• Avoid pool drains that can potentially trap bathing suits or hair with their suction.
• Avoid swallowing water while swimming as it may contain germs.
• Check the depth of the water before diving.  Look for signs at the pool that say “no diving,” which will indicate the water is not deep enough.
• Walk carefully around the edge of the pool to avoid slips and falls.
• Bring a healthy snack and drink water, as swimming takes a lot of energy.

On a hike or playing outside: Hiking is another great family activity.  Let your kids “lead” the adventure as you walk along the path. Keep these safety tips in mind: 

• Avoid poison ivy, oak and sumac, and wild parsnips.
  • “Leaves of three, let them be.” Poison ivy leaves always appear in bunches of 3’s. 
  • “Longer middle stem, don’t touch them.” The middle leaf typically has a longer stem.
  • “Hairy vine, no friend of mine.” During the leafless season, poison ivy can be found on tree trunks, rocks, and other structures with a hairy vine.
  • Remember, these leaves are quite glossy and edges are smoothed or toothed.
  • Leaf colors can vary from red in the spring and summer, to yellows and oranges in the fall.
• Look out for snakes.
  • “Red on yellow, dangerous fellow; red on black, friend of Jack.” This is a good way to remember which snakes are poisonous. However, stay aware of other snakes which are poisonous that have neither red nor yellow markings, such as copperheads.
  • It is best to avoid snakes altogether and teach children to alert an adult if a snake is spotted.
  • Avoid reaching under areas where one cannot see, such as underneath rocks or woodpiles. Snakes and spiders like to hide under these types of places.
• Beware of ticks
  • Ticks can hide in children’s hair and can move to areas under clothing. 
  • Be sure to have an adult check for ticks after playing in wooded areas.  If a tick is identified, use tweezers to remove it and wash the area with soap and water.
• Be friendly with bees.
  • Children should not try to swat or shoo away bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets.
  • Move away from bees or hornets if spotted. 
  • If stung, scrape stinger away with fingernail or credit card. DO NOT use tweezers as the stinger can burst under the skin and cause more damage.
    • Wash with soap and cool water.
    • Apply an ice pack or cold cloth and cover with lotion.
    • Seek medical attention if there are changes in breathing, vomiting, or fever that occurs.
• Watch your step for fire ants.

In the sun: Enjoy the sunshine and soak up some Vitamin D this summer.  Keep these tips in mind to take care of your skin.  It’s our largest organ.

• Limit sun exposure between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. when sun UV rays are strongest.
• Regularly apply sunscreen, and re-apply throughout the day.
  • Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and for best results, use broad-spectrum sunscreen which cancels out both UVB and UVA rays. 
  • It is important to remember that sun rays can still be absorbed on both cloudy and sunny days. So wear sunscreen even on overcast days.
  • Apply to any areas that are exposed, such as the face (eyes, ears, nose), arms, feet, and legs.
  • Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun so it has time to absorb and be reapplied every hour or more frequently if in water.
• Choose sunglasses that are 99% UV radiation resistant and shatter-resistant.
• Try wearing a hat with a brim to shield your face from excessive UV rays.

Resources:

How to Recognize and Avoid Poison Ivy: Three Sayings to Remember

Caring For Our Children: Health Promotion and Protection, Sun Safety

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Featured Poe Program: Summertime Safety

Participants: Kindergarten – 5th
Program Length: 45 minutes

Programs can be presented online and are great for youth and family groups to participate from home. Call (919) 231-4006 for details.

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 Featured Activity: Summertime Safety Videos

Poison Ivy Safety:

Water Safety:

Bug Safety: