As the warm weather rolls in and schools let out, children in our community participate in more travel and outdoor activities. From sunburns and dehydration to hot cars and faulty car seats, the summer months require extra vigilance from parents and caregivers. With a bit of preparation and awareness, families can enjoy everything summer has to offer – safely.
Heat Safety
As temperatures climb, heat poses a serious risk for you and your little ones. Children are far more susceptible to overheating, or heat-related illness, because their bodies take longer to cool off than the average adult body.
Our pediatricians recommend keeping your children hydrated and shaded to avoid an unexpected trip to the emergency room. Offer your children water, even before they share that they are thirsty, and opt for lightweight clothing and wide-brimmed hats. Our chair of pediatrics, Olubunmi Ojikutu, MD, FAAP, also recommends an SPF of 30 or higher for children to protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Signs of overheating can range from mild to severe, so parents and caregivers should pay attention to the warning signs and seek medical attention right away if they notice their child is sweating excessively, nauseous, dizzy, weak, or has pale, clammy skin. Your child may experience heat stroke if they have hot and dry skin, rapid breathing, and confusion. If you suspect your child is experiencing heatstroke, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room immediately.
Water Safety
Water is a great way to cool off during the brutal heat waves of summer, but it poses its own risks that parents and caregivers should be aware of.
Whether your little one is wading in the kiddie pool or swimming in one of Berks County’s local lakes, constant supervision is essential. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in children – a statistic we also see here in Reading Hospital’s Emergency Department.
To ensure your little ones splash around safely, consider enrolling them in swim lessons to provide another layer of drowning prevention. We also recommend dressing your child in an approved life jacket when swimming in natural water settings or while boating. Pools should always be fenced off and secured safely when not in use.
Car Safety
With more time spent on the go, it is more important than ever to ensure your child is properly secured in the right car seat for their size and age. Reading Hospital has seen an increase in the number of fake, or counterfeit car seats. This poses a serious safety concern for child passengers.
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of injury and death for children, according to the CDC. Parents and caregivers should be on the lookout for these counterfeit car seats, which mimic well-known brands to trick well-meaning buyers into thinking they are getting a “good deal.” These dangerous car seats are often sold by third-party retailers who use flimsy materials that do not meet the rigorous safety standards required by law to keep your child safe. A safe, or compliant car seat will always have a chest clip and a five-point harness, an expiration date, model number, registration card, and federally mandated warning labels.
Parents and caregivers should also be mindful that car seats can heat up quickly in the sun. Always check the buckles before strapping your child in to prevent dangerous burns. Never leave a child in a parked car, even if it is “just for a moment.” The temperature inside your vehicle can skyrocket in minutes, putting them at risk of fatal heat stroke.
Summer is a time for making new memories, seeing new sights, and endless outdoor fun, not emergency room visits. By staying informed, proactive, and vigilant, parents and caregivers can enjoy every sunny day with their children safely.
For more information about parenting programs at Reading Hospital, please call 1-833-34-TOWER.