Mercola Natural Health Blog

Summer is one of the favorite times of the year for kids. The fireworks on the Fourth of July may strike their fancy but the two-month vacation is undoubtedly what they’re looking forward to the most because it means a break from schoolwork and more time for fun activities.

However, these moments of fun could turn into a nightmare for parents because statistics show that summer months are also the most dangerous time of the year for children. Accidental injury is the number one cause of death among American children, claiming more lives than disease, violence and suicide.

It pays to become aware of the common summertime dangers to reduce the likelihood of your kids spending part of their vacation at the hospital, osteopathic physician Joseph Mercola advises.

Here are Mercola’s summer safety tips to help safeguard your kids:

1. Replenish lost fluids every 25 to 30 minutes – Children tend to sweat a lot and lose excessive amounts of water when they’re playing outdoors, which could lead to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. To prevent this, give your kids pure water every half-hour to keep them hydrated. Coconut juice is also good for hydration. Limit the amount of time your child spends in the sun, particularly when the heat reaches 82 degrees F and above. Dress him/her in lightweight and light-colored clothing. 
2. Keep an eye on your child when swimming – Almost 300 children ages five and below drown in swimming pools while more than 2,000 kids in the same age group are treated in the emergency room for submersion injuries. Kids can drown in the same amount of time it takes to answer a phone call so NEVER leave a child unsupervised near or around water. Keep rescue devices nearby. Don’t depend on kiddie safety vests. Let your child wait for at least half an hour after eating before allowing him/her to go back in the water.
3. Watch your food – Summer is a great time for parties, picnics and outdoor cooking. Unfortunately, bacteria also thrive in the warm weather and often use food sitting around outside as a breeding ground. Kids are prone to foodborne illnesses so be careful when giving them foods like lettuce, tomatoes and melons. Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food and before and after meals. Keep raw food away from cooked food and store marinated food in the fridge. NEVER leave food out past one hour when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees F. Rinse fruits and vegetables with cool water and scrub fruits with rough surfaces with a soft brush. Cold items should be kept at 40 degrees F and below while hot items should be kept at temperatures of 140 degrees F or above. 
4. Beware of insect bites – Allergic reactions caused by bee and wasp stings could turn serious and life-threatening. If your child is stung, get the stinger out as quick as possible. Put ice on the affected area to reduce swelling and be sure to keep the affected area very clean. When using insect repellent, AVOID products containing DEET, a deadly and potent neurotoxin. Bug sprays containing natural ingredients are available at health stores.
5. Exercise caution while sunbathing – Sun exposure is the best natural source of vitamin D. However, this does not mean that you can get all the sun that you want. Children are vulnerable to sunburn, so make them wear protective clothing like hats, long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sunglasses. Sunlight is most potent between 10 am to 4 pm, so limit their exposure to as little as 10 minutes per day at the beginning of the season, progressively increasing the time so that in a few weeks, your child will be able to enjoy normal sun exposure with little risk of skin cancer. Eating whole vegetables will help increase your child’s antioxidant levels and provide protection against sun damage. Give your child a cool (but not cold) bath and apply fresh aloe vera gel to affected areas to help relieve sunburn.

Summer is a great time for your family to make long-lasting memories so take these summer safety tips seriously. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.