Tell your children to have fun this summer safely! Published June 11, 2007 By David Hey, PhD 319th Aeromedical Dental Squadron GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Summer is finally here in North Dakota. Get ready to enjoy all of the wonderful outdoor activities that await you and your family. When you think of all the fun things to do around Grand Forks AFB, the list is practically endless; however, when you think of what could go wrong, (e.g., accidents and unintentional injuries) that list can be endless as well. So, it's best to arm yourself with a few safety tips before the summer gets into full swing! Summer means more accidents and unintentional injuries: Case in point, when you compare the number of unintentional injuries for adults and children in the summer months, you see a sharp upward spike (Center for Disease Control Web site, 2007). It's also noted that children are rushed to emergency departments nearly three million times in the summer for serious injuries; including burns, poisonings, broken limbs, sprained ankles, etc ..., according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Nearly half of all deaths from unintentional injuries in children occur from May to August. It's conventional knowledge that children have more free time during the summer, but it's problematic that the U.S. has such high numbers of injured children when most of the events are completely preventable. A closer look: For children, summer means engaging in a variety of fun and enjoyable outdoor activities (swimming, camping, bike riding, etc ...) and, of course, with the Fourth of July celebration, we have the introduction of fireworks. In 2003, the CDC reports that 45 percent of all people injured from fireworks were 14 years or younger. More specifically, children between 5- to 9-years-old had the highest rate of fireworks related injuries. For all parents, this means being extra vigilant and aware of potentially hazardous situations during the nation's birthday. Other key safety tips: Water Safety · Do not let your child swim alone, in unsupervised places or in water colder than 70 degrees. Swimming lessons are also available at the Sports and Fitness Center. Perfect for those tadpoles, minnows or sharks who want to beef up on their swimming skills. · When boating or utilizing watercraft, be certain you are utilizing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or personal floatation device instead of arm floats or "floaties" (Uncertain? Call the U.S. Coast Guard Information Line at 800-368-5647). · Very important! Always look for and obey "no diving allowed signs." Diving accidents are the leading cause of head, neck and spinal cord injuries - and 90 percent of all diving accidents result in both arms and legs being paralyzed. The minimum safe depth for diving in any water is nine feet. (American Red Cross; Think First, the National Injury Prevention Foundation, 2007) Skin and the sun · Three common mistakes parents and adults make with sun screen are: a) not using any sun screen or sun block, b) not using enough sun screen and or c) missing areas on the child when applying sun screen (e.g., on the neck, nose, scalp, or thigh are commonly missed). Sun exposure or sun burn is serious stuff, so take this simple precautionary measure. · At the very least use a sun screen and lip balm with a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or higher: (An SPF rating refers to the amount of time you can stay out in the sun before you burn.) · If your family is fair skinned, have a family history of skin cancer, are vacationing at high altitude, or will be outdoors for many hours, use a sun screen with a high SPF (30 or higher). Floppy hats, sun glasses and cover are strongly recommended from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are most intense. Remember: clouds will allow as much as 80 percent of the ultraviolet rays to reach your skin. So keep your children in the shade when you can. · UV rays can penetrate at least three feet in water, so swimmers should wear water-resistant sunscreens. Reapply sunscreen often as water will decrease the sunscreen's protection as the day fades away. · Sand and water reflect the sun's rays, so don't forget to apply sunscreen - even when kids are sitting under an umbrella or while donning a floppy hat. Remember to cover! Other summer recreation reminders Leisure activities injure more than six million people every year (National Safety Council, 2000). In-line skaters account for 250,000 accidents alone. By using proper safety equipment, both you and your child greatly reduce the possibility of ending up in an emergency room. · For all sports and recreational activities, make sure facilities are safe, follow the rules and practice good sportsmanship. Be certain your child develops adequate skill in the activity (e.g., water skiing or rollerblading) and wears protective gear (a helmet, eye protection, correct footwear, knee, elbow and wrist pads). Parents have to model health and safety, so make it cool to wear protective gear. · Helmets are a must for skateboards, rollerblading, all bikes and all-terrain vehicles. Be certain to educate all children on the dangers of unsafe speeds and unsafe stunts. The most common excuses parents report are: 1) "I was only going to ride for a few minutes" and 2) wearing a helmet or protective gear is uncomfortable." · Park, school and household playground equipment should be used as designed and inspected often. Look for wear-and-tear on the equipment that may result in hazardous conditions if a child were to play on it. Sharp objects in the grass and or dirt are also common causes for injury - so inspect and don't be afraid to report neighborhood hazards to the proper housing authority. · If your child tends to be very active (especially in excessively hot and humid weather), be certain to drink plenty of water, rest frequently in the shade, and slow down or stop if you or your child feel uncomfortable. Danger signals of heat stress include excessive perspiration, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, weakness, rapid pulse and disorientation. Keep in mind that you can use many of the tips all year long. What would summer be without the fun things we like to do? So remember, have fun this summer. Just do it safely!