Summer is one of Portland’s most spectacular seasons for families and children to get outside and have much-anticipated fun in the sun.
10 Reminders To Keep Summertime Activities Safe & Fun
Since June is National Safety Month, we’ve created this Ultimate Guide to Summer Safety, featuring helpful reminders to ensure your children have a safe and healthy time.
1. Focus on healthy sun exposure (and natural vitamin D)
Humans are meant to get healthy doses of sun exposure, which is why the sun is one of our body’s primary sources of vitamin D. However, as we know, too much sun exposure puts us at risk for painful sunburns. Over time, excessive sun exposure without proper protection also elevates the risk for skin cancer.
Fortunately, studies show that using sunscreen does not hinder vitamin D production. Additionally, spending just 10 to 15 minutes outside in the sunshine is enough to boost vitamin D levels. So, we recommend practicing healthy sun exposure habits like:
- Trying to stay out of long-term direct sun exposure between the peak hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you are outside during those hours, wear UV protective clothing, swimsuit cover-ups, sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen.
- Look for spaces that have dappled sun and shade to optimize sun exposure while minimizing the risk of overdoing it.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if kids are playing sports (sweating it off) or are in the water. Time can fly when you’re having fun, so setting a timer on your phone can help remind you when it’s time to reapply!
- Since UV rays can penetrate cloud layers, don’t forget to use these same precautions on cloudy days, too.
2. Put together a summertime first-aid kit
Extra scrapes and bumps are to be expected when spending more time playing outside. It’s a good idea to have a summertime first-aid kit in the kids’ backpacks, in your glove compartment, or in the pool/beach bag.
In addition to things like alcohol swabs, gauze, band-aids, triple-antibiotic ointment, and over-the-counter pain relievers, you may also want to include:
- Insect repellent.
- Extra sunscreen.
- A cream or ointment to tackle bug bites or itchy patches.
- Aloe vera gel or a similar sunburn remedy.
- Instant cold packs.
- Tweezers (bare feet are more prone to stickers or other penetrations).
- Benadryl (topical and oral).
- A bottle of sterile saline solution (great for no-touch washing of cuts/abrasions) as well as an eye wash if needed.
These little extras will keep you more prepared for any accidents that pop up in the midst of fun summer adventures.
3. Review bike safety protocols
Hopefully, the summer season means your children will be outside more often, and that may include more frequent bike rides. This is a great time to review your family’s bike safety rules. Wearing a helmet is a must-do, but there is far more to bike safety than protective gear.
PANW’s own Dr. Ryan Hassan has created three separate videos, covering fundamental bike safety recommendations for children at different ages and stages. Consider clicking on the links below and watching them as a family.
4. Pool rules and general water safety
Does your family spend time in the pool or at some of our area’s favorite swimming holes at local lakes and rivers? If so, water safety is essential.
Our top Pool Safety Tips for Portland Families include:
- Making conversations about pool and water safety a regular occurrence so it stays fresh in young, excited minds.
- Take swim lessons or participate in a water safety certification class where you’ll learn basic pool safety and some first-aid tips.
- Ensure an adult is always present when children are in the water.
- No running on slippery pool decks.
- Knowing what to do in the event of a water emergency and how to call 9-1-1.
- Have adults or competent older teens serve as “water watchers” at parties, BBQs, or larger events, so there is always a dedicated person specifically keeping an eye on the children (consider taking shifts so everyone gets a chance to enjoy the party).
Most drowning accidents can be avoided by adhering to these basic pool safety rules.
5. Don’t leave children or pets in the car unattended
We mentioned above that UV rays penetrate cloud layers, which is why you should treat every day like a sunny day when it comes to sun protection. For this same reason, we advise never leaving kids or pets in a car unattended. The car heats up faster than you think, and can lead to heat illness and heat stroke.
6. Protect the family from potential foodborne illnesses
We are fortunate to live in an era when insulated lunch and snack boxes keep food cool for extended periods. Take advantage of that technology when packing lunches or snacks for your kids as they head to the pool, outdoor day camp, or a hike, etc.
The warmer the food becomes, the faster bacteria grow, and that can lead to upset tummies, diarrhea, or food poisoning. In their post, Waves, Sun, Grill & Food Safety, the USDA advises us to:
- Only pack what you’ll eat to avoid leftovers.
- Never leave food out in the sun for more than 2 hours.
- Pack food and drinks in different coolers to minimize the number of times the food cooler is opened (which warms it up).
- Wash your hands before handling food (or use hand sanitizer) to minimize contamination.
- If you’re on the beach, bury the bottom portion of your cooler or lunchbox and use towels or blankets to block direct sunlight.
Foodborne illnesses tend to spike during the summer months, but practicing summertime food safety goes a long way towards avoiding them.
PANW Is Here For You All Summer Long
Pediatric Associates of the Northwest wishes you and your family a safe, fun, and connected summer. We hope only to see you at your regularly scheduled appointments this summer, but we know that accidents and summertime illnesses do happen.
Urgent care appointments are available every day, including weekends and holidays, so your family can get reliable care when they need it and get back to having fun in the sun! Contact our 24-hour nurse advice line anytime by calling (503) 227-0671, or conveniently schedule an appointment through the Patient Portal.
