Summer is a time for kids to have fun, enjoy vacations, and especially their favorite outdoor activities. It’s also a time for parents to take notice, as many outdoor injuries and health hazards are preventable.
Chris Strother, MD, and Lauren Zinns, MD, emergency medicine specialists at The Mount Sinai Hospital and associate professors in emergency medicine and pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, share five key takeaways to help parents, caregivers, and families recognize and avoid common injuries and health hazards.
Young children are at a high risk of choking
- Common things they choke on are hot dogs, grapes, and small round toys. Ensure that food is cut into small pieces and that young children are supervised when they are eating.
- If your child is unable to cough or breathe while choking, call 911 first, then try these maneuvers:
- For children younger than one year old: Place the infant face down on your arm resting on your thigh. With the palm of your other hand, give the baby five short, yet forceful, blows between the shoulder blades. If that is unsuccessful, place the infant on the back, put two of your fingers in the center of the chest below the nipples and press five times. Continue five back blows and five chest thrusts until the foreign body is removed. Never place your finger inside the infant’s mouth as that could push the foreign body in further.
- For children older than one year of age: Stand behind the child with your arms around the child’s waist. Make a fist and place it below the chest just above the navel. Grab the fist with your other hand and push upward repeatedly until the food particle or toy is removed.
Bug bites and insect stings can cause mild to severe allergic reactions in kids
- Experts recommend bug spray on all exposed areas of skin, especially in the evenings when flying bugs are out the most, or in wooded areas where ticks are more likely to be found.
- If your child has a tick, try to remove it as soon as possible.
- Call your pediatrician if you notice a target-like lesion, as this could represent early signs of Lyme disease.
- Mosquito bites will often cause a local allergic reaction at the site, this is usually not dangerous. If the area becomes very large, is very painful, or if your child develops a fever, the site might be infected. Call your pediatrician or go to the Pediatric Emergency Department.
Practice safety in the water
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that drowning is the single leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4. Adult supervision is critical at all times.
- Always swim with others.
- Learn to swim at a young age and practice.
- Wear a life jacket.
- Be aware of weather conditions.
- Make sure there is a lifeguard. If you aren’t watching the water, make sure someone else is watching for you, particularly with young children.
- Here are more tips from the AAP.
Riding bikes and scooting can be great exercise
- Wear a helmet when riding a bike or scooting. Accidents can happen fast.
- Keep your bike “tuned up.” Make sure brakes work well and tires are inflated and in good condition.
- Always obey traffic laws; ride with traffic if riding in the street.
- Wear bright colors when in the street so cars can see you.
Heat awareness: Make sure to hydrate
- Hydrate before and after you are in the heat. People don’t often think to drink before they go out, but it makes a huge difference to prevent dehydration.
- Look for shade if possible, and take frequent breaks from activity to rest.
- Sunblock is essential. Ensure that children are covered with sunscreen 30 SPF or greater to prevent burns, pain, and skin cancer later in life. Reapply frequently after swimming.