Sunburn: Despite the warnings, year after year, doctors offices and hospital emergency departments continue to see children who have sustained a bad sunburn. When your child is young, be sure to apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher every two hours and always after a dip in the pool or ocean, even if the sunscreen is waterproof. Teach your older child how to apply sunscreen and to stay out of the sun when his shadow is shorter than he is. (Since many children ignore this advice, make sure that your child has packed a T-shirt to wear when out in the sunshine.)
The beach is the most dangerous place to be in hot, sunny weather as sand and water intensify the sun’s rays. If your child has mild sunburn (redness and discomfort but no blistering), make sure she stays well hydrated and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine or Benadryl* Itch Relief. If the sunburn is causing your child’s skin to blister, or is causing a lot of pain, you should seek advice from a health professional.
Cuts and scrapes: The cardinal rule for beach play is to wear appropriate beach shoes. These should not be sandals or opentoed shoes as these will allow stones and other sharp objects to come in contact with the skin. Proper beach shoes will prevent injury from broken glass, aluminum cans and nails, and crabs whose peace has been disturbed by young feet. While most cuts and grazes are minor and can be quickly treated by cleaning, treating and covering with a dressing, puncture wounds from sharp objects such as a nail can easily become infected. These should be shown to a medical professional as soon as possible and may require that your child has a tetanus shot.
When treating a minor cut or scrape, be sure to clean, treat and cover to prevent infection. Skin wounds should first be cleaned with soap and water or an antiseptic solution such as Band-Aid® Hurt Free Antiseptic Wash. This should be followed by the application of an antiseptic ointment and an adhesive dressing.
Two new products available at London Drugs are Polysporin® Poly to Go antiseptic pain relieving spray featuring easy, onehanded use, and Band-Aid® plus Antibiotic waterproof adhesive dressings. (These have the added plus of a four-sided seal to prevent sand and other matter from contacting the wound.)
Water safety: Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among Canadian children of 14 years and under. Children can drown in a number of different circumstances, in home and community pools, the bath, in lakes and the ocean. These rules apply to all situations where your child may come into contact with water.
Protecting younger children: Never leave a young child alone in the presence of water, or turn your back on her. Young children can drown in a matter of seconds. You cannot rely on flotation devices as they can suddenly flip, or lose air, putting your little one’s life at risk. If you are boating, make sure your child is wearing a life jacket that fits properly. Keeping a close eye on toys is also a wise idea as young children will often run or fall into the water when pursuing a favourite toy.
Protecting older children: Older children and teens are most likely to drown while on a dare or trying to keep up with more experienced peers. When alcohol has been consumed, inhibitions are loosened and gang bravado takes over—all too often with disastrous consequences.
Teach your children the risks of swimming alone and insist that a buddy is present when out in the water. Explain how dangerous it is to swim after drinking alcoholic beverages.
Some older children choose to ignore warning signs at their peril, getting caught up in an undertow, diving into water that is too shallow, or becoming trapped on rocks when the tide turns. If your child is a risk taker, insist on a water safety course through the Canadian Red Cross (a good idea for all family members). You can find a course in your area by accessing the Canadian Red Cross website at www.redcross.ca
#2. Around animals
Although squirrels, chipmunks and other forms of wildlife are furry and cute, they have sharp teeth and won’t hesitate to use them should they feel threatened. Often, a child’s sudden movements while feeding visiting wildlife will provoke a defensive bite—and tears.
To avoid being bitten, teach your child not to feed squirrels and chipmunks, and always to cover food that is not being eaten. On the rarest of occasions, humans can contract rabies from handling or being bitten by a wild animal or licked by an unfamiliar dog. (Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.) Although only 23 Canadians have contracted rabies since 1924, in BC alone, over 200 people a year are treated for suspected exposure to the virus.
While it is unlikely that a small rodent can spread rabies (the animal usually dies after being bitten by a rabid animal), it is wise to check with a health professional if your child has been bitten. Bats, on the other hand can spread rabies. Sometimes, a rabid bat will become sick and fall out in the open, where a fascinated child may pick it up. You should always check with a doctor as soon as possible if anyone has handled a bat. It is not necessary for the bat to actually bite, in order to spread rabies.
Raccoons can also inflict a nasty wound and should not be encouraged to share food with humans. Birds should also be discouraged from picnic tables. Their feet carry germs, which are easily transferred to food if a child puts his hand down on the table before eating. To be extra safe, make sure that all family members clean their hands with a hand sanitizer before eating or handling food.
Last, but not least, learn how to behave around bears. Never encourage a bear to share food. Even though warnings about feeding bears are common, some people still think that having a bear visit a picnic table or campsite would make a great photographic opportunity. Feeding animals such as raccoons, deer and bear disrupts their natural foraging instinct and can bring an unpleasant death to the animal either because it can no longer fend for itself or it becomes a nuisance and a danger.
Click Here for: Part 2