Sun
Swimming
Sports
Research indicates that two or more children’s
blistering sunburns increase the chance of developing skin cancer later
in life. Regular applications of the appropriate sunscreen can greatly
reduce the risks. Sunscreen should be applied when outdoors, even on
cloudy days, and reapplied after swimming or sweating. Infants under
six months should be kept out of the sun completely.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, because
children spend more time outside during the hot summer months than most
adults, most sun exposure happens before the age of eighteen.
First and foremost, parents should make sure their
children are supervised by qualified, dependable individuals when
swimming. Drowning is always an associated risk, especially for
children 14 and under. Watch out for the dangerous "too's”
– too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too
much strenuous activity.
According to the American Red Cross drowning is second
leading cause of accidental death for Americans ages 5 to 44, and
drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children 1 to 2 years
old. More than 300 children under the age of 5 drown in residential
swimming pools each year. Always practice safety first.
Dr. Katherine Nobles of Pediatric Associates recommends
taking a hands-on approach when it comes to water safety, by practicing
‘touch supervision’. Meaning they should always be within
arms reach.
Most team sports require safety gear. It is the
responsibility of the parents to make sure that it fits and is worn
properly. And with the soaring summer temperatures, watch for signs of
dehydration. For more tips and to learn about Encouraging Fairness,
Fun, Opportunity, Respect and Teamwork,
visit www.masshockey.com/Effort/.
Other popular summer activities include wheeled sports
such as bike riding, skate boarding, roller-blading, and skating. The
American Red Cross reports that children, ages 5 thru 15, represent the
largest percentage of bicycle fatalities and injuries. The fatality
rate for this age group of bicyclists is nearly double the rate for all
bicycle related injuries. Head injury is the leading cause of death in
bicycle accidents. They also report that 45 - 88% of these brain
injuries can be prevented by wearing helmets. Parents must teach and
enforce the “wear your helmet” rule while participating in
wheeled activities.
It is recommended that parents and child care givers
take the necessary steps to learn CPR and first aid. This will go a
long way in creating a safe and fun summer for everyone.
