Summer safety for kids

Childhood has certainly changed since today’s grandparents were kids. We rode in the car without seat belts. We roamed our neighborhoods until after dark. And bike helmets? Forget it.

The rules of summer safety have obviously changed, along with our world. What’s your plan for when the school bell rings for the last time in a week or two? Here are seven tips for a safer summer for kids of all ages.

Have a well-stocked first-aid kit, or maybe two

The American Red Cross recommends being prepared to treat wounds, minor illnesses, skin irritations and bug bites. Essential items include adhesive bandages, gauze pads, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, scissors, tweezers, a thermometer, and pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Consider adding latex gloves and face masks.

Why two? One for the house and one for the car. In the house, keep the first aid kit easily accessible in a kitchen cabinet, not in a steamy bathroom, which can degrade the effectiveness of some medications.

Be on tick alert

Tick season is here! In Illinois, you should watch out for these five varieties: black-legged tick, brown dog tick, lone star ticks and the American dog tick. An infected tick bite can lead to a variety of illnesses, including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever and even red meat allergies.

If your kid is playing in a forest, field or park, make sure they’re well protected with insect repellent. Going on a hike? Have them wear a long-sleeved shirt tucked into long pants (despite their protestations), shoes and socks. Most importantly, check for ticks when they come inside and learn how to safely remove them before trouble sets in.

Check their vaccination record

Measles, once considered eradicated in the U.S., is back, and it’s one of the most virulent diseases out there. Protect your child with a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, and ask their pediatrician whether a booster might be in order. This is particularly important if you’re going to be traveling outside the country, and it will likely be required by summer camps.

Another vaccine to check is tetanus, which comes along with a diphtheria shot (TD vaccine). If your child is injured, an EMT or ER doc is likely to ask, “When was their last tetanus shot?” Have the answer handy.

Protect them from heat-related illnesses, as you would yourself

Smaller bodies need to work harder to stay hydrated and cool down, so make sure the kids have a water bottle with them at all times. If their urine is bright yellow and has an odor, they’re not getting enough fluids. Remind them that even if they don’t feel thirsty, they still need to drink.

Also, one word: sunscreen.

Practice water safety

About 900 children between the ages of 0 and 19 die from drowning each year. Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children, particularly those aged 1-4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most importantly, no one should swim unsupervised. Nonswimmers should always wear flotation of some sort. Swimming lessons can help your child feel comfortable in the water and learn some rudimentary strokes and how to breathe, even if they’re never going to be a competitive swimmer.

If your summer plans include going to a lake, don’t let your child in the water if they have an open sore or wound, as bacteria can enter and cause an infection.

Finally, avoid swimmer’s ear by using ear plugs. You can also instill a few drops of over-the-counter ear-drying solution, or make your own from equal parts white vinegar and rubbing alcohol.

Encourage hand hygiene

Kids in close quarters may be susceptible to hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which is a viral infection common among young children, particularly in settings like summer camps. HFMD is characterized by fever, mouth sores and a rash on the hands and feet. It can be a miserable experience — sometimes the mouth sores become so painful that children might refuse to eat or drink, leading to dehydration and discomfort.

Encourage frequent and thorough hand washing and avoid close contact with infected individuals to prevent the spread of HFMD.

Keep some structure

Don’t let your child overdose on TV screens or video games. Watching movies together, playing video games and enjoying board games and puzzles are fun activities the family can do together.

But ideally, get out there and enjoy summer together!

• Teri (Dreher) Frykenberg, a registered nurse, board-certified patient advocate, is the founder of www.NurseAdvocateEntrepreneur.com, which trains medical professionals to become successful private patient advocates. She is the author of “How to Be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones,” available on Amazon. Frykenberg offers a free phone consultation to readers. Contact her at Teri@NurseAdvocateEntrepreneur.com.