Summer is officially here, and we hope yours has gotten off to a fantastic start! While our Drama Kids team knows that summer is full of opportunities for fun family time, it’s also vital that we ensure that our kids are enjoying their summer breaks safely.
From heat to accidents and beyond, summer isn’t always all fun and games. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that with warmer weather, the risk of injuries increases.
According to Huffpost.com, the 7 injuries doctors see most during the summertime are heat-related, swimming injuries, burns and cuts, food poisoning, sports injuries, skin irritations or insect bites, and sunburns.
Here are four tips that will ensure a safe and fun-filled summer for your kids:
Protect Skin From The Sun
We know, you hear this advice frequently, but that’s because it is so important! The sun’s rays can cause long-lasting damage to our skin, and that includes our kids’ skin, too. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before heading outside and be sure to reapply it every two hours or more often after swimming or sweating.
Keep Pesky Bugs At Bay
If your child is spending time outside, you can help keep the bugs at bay and prevent bug bites by making sure your child is prepared. Bug sprays with DEET in them are OK to use for kids with caution, but if your child is younger than 2 months old, it is advised to not use them at all. After using a bug spray and being outdoors all day, a bath is recommended!
Be On Guard For Heat Exhaustion
When summer hits, so does the heat and while it can be enjoyable, it’s also very easy for children to experience heat exhaustion. An easy way to avoid this is to limit time outside between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. or keep play in shaded areas as much as possible. Be sure that your child is staying hydrated and watch for signs of fatigue, extreme thirst, and muscle cramping.
Brush Up On Water Safety
More than 830 children aged 14 and under die as a result of accidental drowning each year, with an average of 3,600 children being injured in near-drowning incidents. Drowning deaths also increase by 89% between May and August. Making sure children are never left unsupervised near any water source is key. Becoming CPR-certified is also very important. You never know when it may come in handy. There are also many classes available that teach water safety to children of all ages. Contact your local community pool to see if your child can enroll before their summer adventures begin.
Drama Kids International wants your family to have its best and safest summer yet! Remember, our Drama Kids locations are offering summer camp options for children of all ages if you are looking for a fun and safe summer environment.