Summer 2020!

Summer 2020 is finally here!  Many of us have had summer plans change and most camps have been canceled.  With temperatures rising and all of us being outside a lot more, it is important to review summer safety precautions for our children.

A few simple summer safety tips will make for an amazing summer season:

1. Drink enough water.

Children are more prone to dehydration than adults. The amount of water a child should drink varies by age, weight, and activity level. However, a general rule is to take half of your child's weight and that is the number of ounces of water they should drink every day.

Be sure to keep cool water with you when you are outside and keep your child drinking at least every 20 minutes.  Remember, children are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses because their central nervous system is not yet fully developed, therefore it is important to not just rely on how you are feeling to know how hot or thirsty your child is.

2. Protect skin from the sun.

Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher whenever your child is going to be outdoors. Reapply every three hours or after your child has been in water. Consider dressing your child in sun-protective clothing.

3. Keep watch to prevent drowning.

Summer water safety should be top of mind for parents, especially with many of us getting outdoor water play equipment with the closure of community pools. Within seconds a drowning can happen. Actively supervise children at all times when in or around water, regardless of if it is a sand and water table, a wagon with water from an overnight rain, or an actual backyard pool. Ensure you have the right equipment to keep pools safe.

Watch this video to learn more about summer safety. If you would like more information about gastrointestinal (GI) digestive disorders and nutrition in children, please contact Dr. Mona Dave's Frisco Office or Request Appointment Here.