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James L. Holly, M.D. |
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| American Academy of Pediatrics |
| April 22, 2005 |
| Internal Memo |
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The following summer safety tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story. Please attribute these tips to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
FUN IN THE SUN
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/tanning.htm
Babies under 6 months:
Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts and brimmed hats are still the top recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands.
For Young Children:
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15.
For Older Children:
The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
Stay in the shade whenever possible, and avoid sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN
Source: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9845.html
The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels. (See policy statement for details)
At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, eg, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 88 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 132 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated garments should be replaced by dry garments.
POOL SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tipppool.htm
Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
Install a fence at least four-foot high around all four sides of the pool.
Make sure pool gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.
Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
Children are not developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."
BOAT SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tippslip.htm
Your children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water.
Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child. The jacket should not be loose. It should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.
Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts, and air mattresses should never be used as life jackets or life preservers.
Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection and to set a good example.
BUG SAFETY
Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective.
The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. The benefits of DEET reach a peak at a concentration of 30 percent, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase.
For more information on DEET: http://www.aapnews.org/cgi/content/full/e200399v1
PLAYGROUND SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/maytra.htm
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/playgrd.htm
Carefully maintain all equipment.
Swings should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children's legs from getting burned.
Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use home trampolines.
BICYCLE SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tbikmyth.htm
Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster brakes until your child is older and more experienced.
Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new bike.
Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to "grow into." Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.
Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets.
A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
SKATEBOARD AND SCOOTER SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/marskate.htm
Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.
All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear a helmet and other protective gear.
Communities should continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home.
TRAVEL SAFETY
Source: Car Seat Safety
http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
http://www.aap.org/policy/re0116.html
Source: Air Bag Safety
http://www.aap.org/family/airbag.htm
Buckle up car seats and seat belts.
When your child reaches the top weight allowed for his car safety seat or his ears have reached the top of his car safety seat, he needs a booster seat. Booster seats should be used until he can correctly use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
Keep supplies with you, such as snacks, water, a first aid kit and any medicines your child takes.
Always use a car seat, starting with your baby's first ride home from the hospital. Help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling up.
Read the manufacturer's instructions and always keep them with the car seat. Read your vehicle owner's manual for more information on how to install the car seat.
Put your child in the back seat. It is the safest place in the car because it is farthest away from a head-on crash (the most common type of crash).
The harness system holds your child in the car seat and the seat belts hold the seat in the car. Attach both snugly to protect your child.
Children in rear-facing car seats should never be placed in a front seat equipped with an air bag.
Children traveling alone to visit relatives or attend summer camp should have a copy of their medical information with them at all times.
LAWN MOWER SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tipplawn.htm
Try to use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is let go.
Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing.
Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.
Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.
Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.
Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.
FIREWORKS SAFETY
Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/junefireworks.htm
Fireworks can result in severe burns, scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime.
Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, i.e. sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1000 degrees F, and can burn users and bystanders.
The AAP recommends prohibiting public sale of all fireworks, including those by mail or Internet, and encourages parents to attend professional fireworks displays instead of using fireworks at home.
HOME ALONE
Source: Workplace Solutions
Spend some time explaining your expectations for any time that your children are unsupervised.
Establish a regular schedule of "check-in calls" in which your child calls you to let you know how and what he/she is doing.
Remember time off from school does not mean time off from chores. Household tasks help teach kids responsibility.
For older kids, establish rules about friends coming over to visit. Are you ok with your child having friends over at the house without any supervision?
Create a first aid kit and teach children how to use it. Establish a list of emergency phone contacts and keep it by the phone.
Store alcohol and prescription medication in a location that is completely inaccessible to children.
American Academy of Pediatrics, May, 2004
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