Congratulations, mommas! You have made it though another school year! Now summer is here and it is finally time to relax.
Ok, ok.. now that we are all done laughing, we all know there is no relaxing for parents in the summer. Kids still wanna eat every single day, and they want to be entertained. So, now it’s time for swimming pools, park playdates, splash pads, sticky hands from popsicles, finding frogs, bugs and rocks in shorts pockets, and all of the sweltering goodness that comes with summer activities.
My kids’ summer schedule usually looks like this: breakfast, fight, fight, bicker, lunch, bicker, fight, popsicles, fight, fight, dinner, fight, bedtime. If that looks like your schedule too, you aren’t alone. Here are a few tips to make things a little easier and hopefully maintain some of your sanity.
Home alone safety:
Unfortunately, a lot of us still have to work, and sometimes that means kiddos have to stay home by themselves when school is out.
- There are easy to prepare meals in the house so you don’t need to use the stove or microwave.
- If there is a swimming pool, it is off limits when adults are not home. (Even better if it has it’s own fence that can be locked for safety.)
- Never answer the door when you’re home alone.
- Only go somewhere if you’ve received permission from your parents.
- Memorize important information—like your address and your parents’ phone numbers. (Teach your children how and when to use 911 and make sure they know this information as it helps dispatchers reach them much faster when needed.)
- Don’t talk to strangers or go anywhere with someone else, unless they are a designated and trusted adult. (It’s also good to go over the signs of a child predator and teach your child what is and is not appropriate behavior.)
- Do not allow carry backpacks, lunchboxes or anything with your names embroidered/printed on it. (This allows strangers an advantage in convincing your child they know him/her.)
- Don’t play with dangerous objects inside the house or get into things that are off-limits.
Water/Pool Safety:
- Only swim under adult supervision and in designated swimming areas
- Don’t run around pools
- Always look before jumping into a pool
- Obey all pool rules
- Swim with a buddy and keep an eye on each other
- Don’t eat or chew gum while you swim
- Take frequent breaks
Outdoor Safety:
- Always wear sunscreen, sunglasses, light colored clothes and a hat when going outside for extended periods of time. Take frequent breaks from the heat by finding shade or going indoors to cool off.
- Use bug spray to avoid ticks, chiggers, fleas and mosquitoes. Always check for ticks and any other little critters trying to hitch a ride home after being outside, especially in wooded areas or tall grass.
- Practice bike safety when riding—like always wearing a helmet, stopping at intersections, looking both ways before crossing streets, avoiding riding in the street, and never riding at night.
- Most importantly, stay hydrated!! Avoid soda, sugary drinks or anything with caffeine. Drink water, water and more water!
Know the signs and symptoms of Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke:
It is very important to know the differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Both are very serious, but different, heat-related illnesses.
Heat Exhaustion-
Symptoms:
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Possible muscle cramps
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fainting
What to do:
- Move person to a cooler environment
- Lay person down and remove or loosen clothing
- Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of the body as possible
- Fan or move victim to air conditioned room
- Offer sips of water
- If person vomits more than once, seek immediate medical attention.
Heat Stroke-
Symptoms:
- Altered mental state
- One or more of the following symptoms: throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, shallow breathing
- Body temperature above 103°F
- Hot, red, dry or moist skin
- Rapid and strong pulse
- Faints, loses consciousness
What to do:
- Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Unlike heat exhaustion, a heat stroke requires immediate medical attention. Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal.
- Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment.
- Reduce body temperature with cool, wet cloths or a bath.
- Use a fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures.
- Do NOT give fluids.
For more information on heat-related illnesses visit: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness
Summer activities are a blast! Hopefully these tips help you and your family enjoy all the fun and freedom safely!
