|
 
Fun in
the Sun
Babies
under 6 months of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Move your baby
to the shade or under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy
Dress
babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs and use brimmed
hats.
Apply
sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on
cloudy days. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15.
Try to
keep children out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm – that’s when the rays are
strongest.
Pool Safety
Never leave children alone in or near the pool, ever for a moment.
Make sure adults are trained in life-saving techniques and CPR so they can
rescue a child if necessary.
Surround your pool on all four sides with a sturdy five-foot fence.
Make sure the 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.”
Bug Safety
Don’t use
scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
Repellents appropriate for use on children should contain no more than 10
percent DEET because the chemical, which is absorbed through the skin, can cause
harm. The concentration of DEET varies significantly from
product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase.
Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water,
uncovered foods and gardens where flowers 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. You can also remove a stinger by pinching it
out with a pair of tweezers or your fingers.
Playground Safety
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 childrens’ legs from getting burned.
Even in
supervised training programs, the use of trampolines for children younger than 6
years of age should be prohibited.
Travel Safety
Buckle up
car seats and seat belts.
Keep
supplies with you, such as snacks, water, a first aid kit and any medicines your
child takes.
Always
use a care 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 care 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.
Dog Bites
If you
are getting a pet as a companion for your child, wait until your child is mature
enough to handle and care for the animal – usually around age 5 or 6.
Never leave your infant or young child alone with any dog.
Teach your child some basic safety precautions for dealing with dogs outside
your home, such as not surprising or scaring a dog or never approaching an
unfamiliar dog.
Instruct your child to stand still if approached or chased by a strange dog.
Tell your child not to run, kick or make threatening gestures. Your child
should face the dog and back away slowly until he or she is out of reach.
Contact your pediatrician whenever your child receives an animal bite that
breaks the skin, no matter how minor the injury appears. The doctor will need
to check whether your child has been adequately immunized against tetanus.
| 
HOLLY CITY
PEDIATRICS, PA
