Summer fun is here! Sun, sports, pools, playgrounds, biking and other outdoor activities abound. There’s so much to do, but keeping your children safe from injury while enjoying the great outdoors should be a top priority too. Unintentional injuries are the top cause of death for children ages 1 to 21.*
“An accident can happen in a second,” shares Joanna Nelson, Director of Porter Health Care System’s CareEXPRESS Urgent Care Centers. “The key is to avoid situations – when possible – that put you at risk for injury. I encourage everyone to have fun, but remember this: Safe play will keep you away from urgent care this summer.”
Nelson says knowing the steps for preventive care, what to do if an accident arises and when to seek medical care is important to help keep your family safe. She offers the following tips:
Fun in the Sun
Children’s exposure to the sun should be monitored closely, and they should always wear sunscreen. Babies younger than six months should never be exposed to direct sunlight. When taking a baby outside, make sure to have proper covering, such as a wide-brimmed hat and a stroller with a canopy. “Their skin has not yet developed the ability to protect itself from UV rays, and they are too young for sunscreen,” notes Nelson.
The American Cancer Society recommends limiting sun exposure during peak intensity hours – between 10 and 4 p.m. – and staying in the shade when possible. If a child is playing in the water or sweating a lot, be sure to reapply sunscreen often. Just one bad sunburn as a child is all it takes to double the risk of developing melanoma, one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, later in life, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Keep Bugs at Bay
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using repellents that contain at least 20% DEET on exposed skin and clothing when spending time outside. The organization also suggests parents never spray children’s hands because it may get rubbed in the eyes or mouth.
Shower after coming indoors and perform full body scans to look for ticks. Throw your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to help kill the insects. And examine your pets carefully too, as ticks also can ride home in their fur.
Protecting the Head
It’s important to develop the habit of wearing a helmet early with children, whether they’re on a bike, skateboard or scooter. Did you know bike accidents cause 580,000+* visits to the ER each year? Or that 26,000* of those accidents result in traumatic brain injuries in kids? Properly fitted helmets reduce the risk of head injuries* and should always be worn – every ride, no matter the distance. Parents: children learn by observing you, so put on your helmet anytime you ride and set a good example.
First Aid Kit
Simple bumps and scrapes can be handled at home with a well-stocked first aid kit. A necessity in every home, a first aid kit can help handle minor emergencies that don’t require a doctor’s immediate care. Your kit should be stored in a central location in your home – within easy reach for adults, not children.
Check your kit regularly and replace missing items or expired medications. It’s a good idea to have a first aid kit in your home and another in the car. Don’t forget to take it with you on family vacations, too.
When to Seek Urgent Care
When a first aid kit just won’t do, it’s time to see a medical professional. The board-certified physicians at Porter’s CareEXPRESS Centers have advanced training in urgent situations and provide expert care for a range of immediate clinical issues, including:
- Minor injuries or wounds, including minor sprains and breaks
- Sudden illnesses such as the flu or a stomach virus
- Routine illnesses such as colds and coughs
- Allergy or asthma issues or treatments
“If you find yourself headed to a CareEXPRESS Center – with locations in Valparaiso, Chesterton, Portage – take a comforting item for your child, like a favorite stuffed animal,” Nelson suggests. “Making this trip can be stressful for both parent and child. If the parent can stay calm, that demeanor can transfer to the child and pave the way for a smoother visit.”
It’s important to note that life-threatening emergencies, such as heart attack or stroke, require a visit to the nearest Emergency Room.
*SOURCE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, Skin Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society
Porter Health Care System has two hospital campuses and seven outpatient facilities serving Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke and Jasper counties. With more than 350 physicians representing 50 medical specialties, Porter Health Care System is committed to medical excellence and personalized, patient-centered care. Porter is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.
