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Home › Webmother's Musings

Protect Your Kids for Summer Fun in the Sun

By Elisa Ast All

Each summer, my kids look forward to donning their swimsuits nearly every day. Never mind that their suits cover three-quarters of their bodies and have an SPF of more than 100 – they just know these special wetsuits mean fun in the sun!

Swimsuits offering sun protection are just one of the strategies we parents use during summer. Warm weather lures kids and adults alike into the yard, the pool, the beach and the park. Since we only get a few months of great weather a year, we need to take advantage of it! But there are precautions we as parents have to take to ensure a happy time for our kids. Here are some ideas to get you through summer safely:

  • Have all family members wear sun hats and sunglasses. Not only are they helpful, but also chic! Buy hypoallergenic sun block, recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Check with your pediatrician if your baby is younger than 6 months.
  • Enjoy outdoor activities with your kids in the early morning or later in the day, when the sun is not as strong.
  • Set up cooling stations using beach or picnic umbrellas. Keep lots of drinking water on hand to prevent dehydration.
  • When on the go, keep things cool with ice packs. Food and drinks can spoil more quickly in the heat.
  • Use car window shades to protect your child from the sun when driving. They shield sensitive eyes and prevent sunburn.
  • Use swim diapers to prevent seepage into the water. Don't allow kids to drink pool or lake water when swimming.
  • Invest in a good play-mat for babies. You can use it at the beach or on the lawn to keep Baby away from fertilizer or other chemicals.
  • Keep kids away from the barbecue, lighter fluid, charcoal and sharp utensils. Grilling is similar to cooking on a stove and needs to be as childproof as possible.
  • Beware when using power tools and lawn equipment. Debris can be spewed from a lawnmower, causing injury to kids.
  • Check out your garden. Common plants – such as daffodils, lily-of-the-valley, tomato vines and leaves, English ivy, morning glories, philodendron, dieffenbachia and azaleas – can be toxic. Keep garden tools out of reach.
  • Always supervise your child when in or around water – even if they have taken swimming lessons. Kids can drown in less than 2 inches of water.

For more information on keeping your kids safe, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Kid Safety Page at www.cpsc.gov/kids/kidsafety.