School’s out for summer! Kiddies are ready to enjoy the great outdoors! Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind. (You can watch the original BT Montreal segment by clicking here)
Lyme disease has become a serious issue this summer. If you’re going camping or playing in a grassy wooded area take extra precaution!
- Wear protective clothing, long pants/sleeves and even tucking your socks in your pants… I know it isn’t the best fashion trend.
- Use bug repellant on the kids (and pets) when needed. Make sure it is 10-30% DEET for children (not under 2 months) and avoid hands and face. Use repellant only when really necessary.
- Perform tick checks on everyone at end of each day (between legs, under arms, around waist, inside belly button, hairline and scalp).
- If a tick needs to be removed do it right away to avoid tick related infection.
- When removing a tick, use tweezers and pull up steadily so ticks mouth doesn’t break in the skin
- A few signs/symptoms of tick related illnesses are fatigue, fever/chills, headache, rash and swollen lymph nodes.
- Adult supervision is a MUST! No distractions. Not even for a second.
- Practice ‘Touch Supervision’. Translation the adult supervising must be within an arms length of the child being watched when near or in the water.
- Learn CPR
- When boating life jackets are a must!
- No running around the pool
- Sunscreen should be used on sunny and cloudy days.
- Avoid sun exposure during peak sun hours 11am-4pm. Hint: If your shadow is shorter than you the sun is very strong)
- Wear protective clothing, hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UV Protection
- Broad Spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) and an SPF of at least 30 for the kids.
- Apply 30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply every 2 hours if swimming, sweating
- Put enough sunscreen. A shot glass full is what you need.
When the heat is just too much make sure to stay hydrated because lots of fluid is being lost.
- Give your kids liquid before they go outside to play, while they’re playing and after
- Don’t wait until your kid says they are thirsty before offering fluid.
- Avoid strenuous activities during sun peak hours 11am-4pm. Shady areas are best.
- NEVER EVER EVER leave infants/children in a parked car!! (Pets neither)
- Dress kids in loose, lightweight, light coloured clothing
Save your child’s life by making sure they wear a helmets when on bikes, scooters, skates, rollerblades, skateboards etc.
- Get the helmet fitted correctly
- Use the proper helmet for individual activity
- Be a good example and wear a life saving helmet as well!
Playground Safety
Every year thousands of children are treated for playground related injuries.
- Safe playground surfaces are sand, wood chips or synthetic materials.
- Be very careful with playground surfaces such as grass, dirt and asphalt (which are usually in our very own backyards).
- Check grounds for broken glass, metal and other garbage
- Make sure your kids are not wearing clothing with cords or drawstrings that are too long.
- Supervise children at all times!
- Know the signs and symptoms of a concussion…(personality/mood change, dazed, clumsy, can’t remember previous events and headache, vomiting/nausea, balance issues, light sensitivity, confusion, feeling down)
Watch my segment on Summer Safety with Alex Despatie on BT Montreal: