Emergency Prevention Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe This Summer

The best way to feel prepared is by being prepared and a statement has never been more true than when it comes to taking care of your family. So dust off those pool floaties and grab the sunscreen because this summer is going to be your families best summer yet with these top summer safety tips for kids.

Avoiding Bug Bites and Bee Stings

An afternoon of playing at the park or on the playground can be quickly brought to a tearful end by bug bites and bee stings. Protect your kids (and yourself!) from insects by spraying yourself and your kids with insect repellents that won’t kill insects, but will help reduce bites from mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other bothersome bugs.

For kid-safe bug repellents look to:

• • Deet – safe for children as young as 2 months
  • Picaridin – an odorless synthetic ingredient found in some bug repellents
  • Natural bug repellents – often made with plant oils such as citronella, lemongrass, peppermint and cedarwood.
  • Insect-repelling clothing – wear loose-fitting, long-sleeve clothing in muted colors.

Always Supervise Watertime Fun at the Pool or Playground

Regardless of your child’s age or how frequent they are in the pool, never leave kids alone near the water, regardless of their swim capabilities. Parents can and should take precautions around home pools, in addition to closely supervising kids while they swim.

Using Equipment Safely

When you first get to the park, explore the playground equipment before letting your kids play on it. Things to be checking for are:

• If surfaces are too hot and could cause burns on little hands and your child’s skin
• Ropes that are secure on both ends
• If the ground is covered with a protective surface such as rubber mats, wood, or rubber mulch or wood chips
• Also check your child’s clothing to ensure it’s playground friendly with no strings, closed toed shoes, and that shoes are tied tight.

Avoiding Dental Emergencies

Playground injuries are on the rise, and keeping your child’s teeth protected should be just as important as keeping the rest of them safe. If your kids are playing high-contact sports like football or soccer, get them a mouth guard to protect their teeth and jaws. Custom mouth guards may also help prevent concussions on the athletic field, and help you avoid an emergency dentist office visit.

Stay Hydrated

If you’re feeling thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. Kids who are running around and having fun in the sun probably aren’t thinking about hydration, so be sure to ask your kids to hydrate often and look for these other signs that can indicate that a child is dehydrated:

• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Dark yellow urine
• Tearless crying
• Sunken eyes

Don’t Skimp On SPF

Regardless of age and skin type, everyone can benefit from the use of a water-resistant sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Even on a cloudy day, your child’s skin can still obtain sun damage, so choose a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside – and don’t forget to re-apply as the day goes on for safe sun fun!

Local To The Area?

At Hoffman Dental Care, there’s nothing we love more than spending time with our family and friends in the great outdoors – especially in the summer months. If you’re local to the Macomb Township, Michigan area, be sure to check out these great local parks and recreation areas.

• Macomb Corners Park
• Waldenburg Park
• Austrian Park
• Macomb Township Recreation Center and Aquatics Center

Let us know about your fun summer plans at your summer dental checkup!