There are a lot of great things about summer vacation – no school, trips to the beach and beautiful weather, among others. However, during those fun-filled days outdoors, kids can actually be at risk for a number of potentially dangerous health conditions. As a responsible father, you may want to be aware of these summertime hazards.
Dehydration
June, July and August are among the hottest months of the year, so dehydration is a major concern for children who are running around outside in the heat and humidity. Consider checking in with your little ones throughout the day and encouraging them to take a brief water break indoors. You may want to avoid giving them sugary drinks like soda, high sodium sport drinks or juice , as these can actually make them more thirsty.
Sunburn
Anyone who's ever spent a little too much time in the sun can testify how painful and uncomfortable a bad sunburn can be. However, repeated exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays at such an early age can put your children on a path to serious skin conditions later in life. Whenever they head outdoors, make sure your little ones are wearing a high sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen.
Bugs!
Just like everyone else, bugs love the summer weather – which is why they're everywhere this time of year. Unfortunately, mosquitoes and ticks – which can carry Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus – are among the critters your children are most likely to run into playing around the neighborhood and in wooded areas. To help keep your little ones bug-free, consider applying insect repellent and checking their hair for hidden ticks.