ParentLine

Dear ParentLine, It’s summer and we have tons of vacation activities to enjoy.  We head to the beach in three weeks, have two pool parties schedules for the kids, three slumber parties, four cookouts to attend, and a host of sports activities and camping excursions, plus lots of fun in the sun.  Are there any “hot” tips you can give us about summer safety for kids?  We know about sunscreen, but what about swimming after you eat or pool safety, or ticks, lawn and garden and grill equipment and such?  Even the ice cream truck?  Surely, there are dos and don’ts about that.  Thanks for your advice.  Signed, The Sunny P’s of Sullivan County.

Gosh, can ParentLine come over and play?  Sounds like you folks know how to have fun and that you understand you have to teach your kids how to “play” safely.  No matter their age, now’s a great time to review safety rules. 

Your child’s age is an important factor to keep in mind. While younger kids may need more reminders, don’t assume that older children will remember what you told them last year about summer safety rules.   Before you do each activity, go over the rules that apply—from poolside to picnics (where the gentle reminder “No, Junior, you may not spit watermelon seeds at Aunt Ethel!” may be in order).

To help you help them, think about how your children handle new situations at home.  Are they fearless or fearful?  What helps them to cope?  Do they remember to check in with you or when they play do they forget because they’re having too much fun?  If they can’t regulate themselves, you’ll have to do it for them, at least for the near future.    

 For the basics, the folks at www.SafetyCops.com  remind kids that they should check first with parents or the person in charge before they go anywhere or do anything and to check in regularly when parents or a trusted adult aren’t with them.  Tell your kids to take a friend when they play or go somewhere.   Malls, movies, video arcades, or parks (and public restrooms) are not places where kids should go alone. 

When it comes to a dip to cool off, the American Red Cross warns all folks to be safe around the water.  To do this, they suggest that people of any age learn to swim.  The organization offers classes at many area pools.  Check on-line or in your phone book for the location nearest you that offers Red Cross swimming programs.  They also recommend that you always swim with a buddy.   Know your swimming limits and stay within them.  Teach your kids to obey all “No Diving” rules and to watch out for the “dangerous too’s” such as too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity. 

The Red Cross literature recommends the use of common sense about swimming after eating.  You don’t have to wait an hour after eating before you swim unless it was a very large meal or you plan to swim strenuously.  Mom and Dad, you can judge these factors but your kids may not be able to, so keep an eye on how many burgers they’ve downed before they belly flop back into the pool or lake!  As the adults present, be sure you know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies.  Never allow kids to be alone near water, even for a moment.

Because diseases such as Lyme disease are serious problems here in New England, parents must take extra care to protect kids from insect bites.  Repellents that contain DEET are touted to be most effective against ticks and mosquitoes. Those with concentrations of 30 percent DEET offer maximum protection.  Read labels and remember that DEET should not be used on children under two months of age.  There is also an array of information about all-natural repellents that are thought to be very effective, while being environmentally friendly.  A simple online search or a visit to your natural foods market may shed light on these products. 

The experts at the US Center for Disease Control suggest the best way to remove ticks is to use needle-nose tweezers.  Do not use alcohol, nail polish, hot matches, petroleum jelly, or other methods to remove ticks.  These methods may actually traumatize ticks and cause them to regurgitate gut contents, which may include the Lyme disease bacterium. 

If it should rain on your cookout, do not bring the charcoal grill indoors. Burning charcoal produces deadly carbon monoxide. Use an umbrella or order Chinese instead. When cooking outside with a gas grill, check the air tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage from insects or food grease.  Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks.  Make sure there are no sharp bends in hoses or tubing.  If you ever detect a leak, turn the gas off immediately.

Experts at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission remind parents to be sure that all family members wear helmets and other safety gear when biking, skating, and skateboarding, riding scooters, all-terrain vehicles and horses.  Studies on bicycle helmets have shown that they can reduce the risk of head injury as much as 85 percent.

The CPSC also recommends that you check your home playground.  Because falls cause 60 percent of playground injuries, be sure to have a safe surface.  Concrete, asphalt or packed dirt surfaces are too hard.  Use at least nine inches of wood chips or mulch instead.  To prevent serious injuries while using a trampoline, allow only one person on at a time and no not allow somersaults.  Use a shock-absorbing pad that completely covers the springs and place the trampoline away from structures and other play areas.  Kids under six should not use a full-size trampoline.

‘Long about dusk when fireflies start to flicker on the lawn and the ice cream truck jingles its way down your street, remind your kids they should always cross at the rear of the truck after buying their ice cream.  This allows them to see approaching vehicles.  Never cross at the front of the truck.  Remind them always to go to the curb side of the truck and to never stand in the street.   Even though it looks inviting, it is best to only approach the ice cream truck that is a known entity, and to buddy up when approaching.

ParentLine’s pooped just thinking about all the energy you will need to not only have all the fun you’re planning but to help your kids be safe at the same time.  So, please remember to schedule some down time to sit, relax, read, play board games and smell the roses.  These little rests can re-energize both you and the kids.  Have a happy and safe summer!

ParentLine is a free and confidential service of Child and Family Services, a statewide, independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the well-being of children and families.  Call ParentLine, 1-800-640-6486; write ParentLine, c/o Child and Family Services, P.O. Box 448, Manchester, NH; email parentline@cfsnh.org or visit our website at www.cfsnh.org.