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6 Ways to Keep Your Family Safe in the Sun

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May 7, 2015

Springtime in California brings families out for fun in the sun, but it’s a great reminder to take precautions with the little ones in the sunlight, heat and around the water.  Don’t let the carefree days turn ugly. Enjoy the warmer months with these easy safety tips:

Water Safety:

With two children dying every day from preventable drownings, make sure to brush up on water safety with the kids. Enroll them in spring time swimming lessons that can often be cheaper than during those hot summer months. Review water safety and rules around the water with your kids. Install a door alarm or pool security system so you know when kids are outside or in the water. Wear life jackets. Many fire stations provide them for free in the summer. And remember nothing can replace supervision. Keep your eyes on them at all times.

Heat:

Remember that babies and young children are at greatest risk of heat related illnesses. Dress them in light breathable layers. Never leave them in the car and seek immediate medical attention if you suspect heat related illness. Also remember that dehydration is a major factor so make sure that little ones have enough to drink.

Sun:

Just a few sunburns can increase the risk of cancer later in life. Babies especially have very sensitive skin, so keep them out of the direct sun and use a good screen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Make sure to reapply it every two hours and purchase a waterproof one if you plan to play in and around the water.  For more information on how to choose or use sunscreen click here. To avoid the heat and sun, schedule outdoor activities in the cooler parts of the day.

Bugs:

Beware of bug bites in the warmer months. Mosquitos are out in force and can carry West Nile Virus. Beware of bee stings and ticks that carry Lyme disease and more. To avoid these, wear an effective insect repellent containing DEET, wear protective clothing, go indoors at dusk and stay out of woodsy areas. If you have an allergy to bees or other insects make sure to always carry an EpiPen.

Injury prevention:

Longer days provide for more play, but don’t ease up on safety. Always wear a helmet when riding bikes or scooters to prevent concussion or other traumatic brain injury. Watch out for hot playground equipment that can burn kids and beware of hot BBQ grills. If you are camping, make sure to properly extinguish your campfire so you do not start a forest fire.

First Aid:

Take a CPR class to make sure that you are prepared in case of an emergency and while you are at it, restore your medicine cabinet with some essentials such as Benadryl, Tylenol, Bandaids, Aloe Vera, ice packs and more.

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