Summer Safety Tips

Keep Your Child Safe From the Summer Heat

• Monitor the amount of time your child spends outdoors playing, especially if the humidity is high.
  
• Keep babies less than 6 months of age out of direct sunlight.
  
• Have your child play in the shade whenever possible. Avoid any prolonged time is the sun between the hours of 10 am to 4 p m when the sun's rays are the most intense.
  
• Dress your child in loose fitting; light colored, long sleeved clothing and a wide brimmed hat.
  
• Apply sunscreen with a Sun Protective Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher according to package directions. Reapply more often after swimming or playing.
  
• Be sure your child has plenty of cool water to drink. Avoid caffienated and sugary beverages.
  
• NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD ALONE IN ANY VEHICLE! Not even for a short time.
  A CHILD IN A HOT AUTOMOBILE CAN GET OVERHEATED QUICKLY.

Know the symptoms of heat illness and what to do:

Heat Exhaustion is indicated by headache, fatigue; dizziness; nausea; excessive thirst; cool, clammy pale skin, rapid weak pulse. Move child to a cool place, remove unnecessary clothing, lay on back with feet raised, sponge with cool water, and, if conscious give cool water to drink.

Heat Stroke symptoms include decreased sweating; red, hot and dry skin. Confusion; irritability; deep breathing; and unconsciousness. Follow treatment for heat exhaustion and call 911 immediately!

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