School is out and our local parks, trails and neighborhoods will soon be filled with kids looking for fun ways to spend their summer breaks.
Baptist Health pediatricians see a wide variety of injuries among their patients during the summer months. Here are three of the most common summer safety topics to consider before sending your child out the door to play.
Arkansas Heat
Whether those activities involve splashing around a pool or practicing at the ball fields, extended time in the sun and heat can put kids at risk for injury. Make sure your children dress in loose, light-weight, light-colored clothing when playing outdoors. Staying hydrated will also reduce their risk of heat-related illnesses. It’s important to make sure your kids stay hydrated by drinking more water than usual. Having low-sugar drinks like flavored waters, Pedialyte or Gatorade on hand is also important if your children are going to spend more time outdoors. Heat-related illness happens when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough. Illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash and sunburn. Children of all ages are at risk when exposed to excessive amounts of time in the sun and heat. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are the more serious illnesses and symptoms can include:- Heavy sweating
- Changes in pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or fainting
- Headache
- Red, hot skin
- Muscle cramps