The summer vacation and travel season, is suddenly upon us. It may not seem like Summer yet, due to the oddly extreme fluctuations in the temperatures, rainy days, and brisk breezes from the North, that are keeping us hardy north-easterners off our decks and patios. It's true that we're still about four weeks away from the official start of Summer. We can't deny, however, that this is the "Memorial Day" weekend, and that traditionally kicks off the travel frenzy we all seem to get caught up in.
There are a couple of things that really grind away at this writer's delicate sensibilities. The biggest thing on my mind this holiday weekend, is the safety of our children. This week, travelers from Virginia were passing through on the highway that runs past my berg. Mom will not be going any further, that she knows of, and the children, ages 1 & 2, are both in the hospital.
It's up to every parent and adult who has children in their care, to be especially careful this time of year. The dangers multiply when the weather grows warmer.
When there is swimming, biking, skating, outdoor grilling, camping, and hiking to be done, we frequently get caught up in the pleasure of the moment. When we're distracted by our own good times, being "in the moment" may cause us to overlook simple precautions for our young charges.
Mind you, this reminder that is as much to myself as to my readers. Keeping that thought, here's a brief list of things to keep in mind. I am sure that anything that is not on it, may occur to you as you read these:
1.) Proper clothing. Under or over-dressing in the summer heat can be risky. Overheating can be caused by too much clothing, and risk of skin damage from the environment as well as the sun can be caused by under-dressing.
2.) Sunscreen. Always wear sunscreen and apply it as early as 1/2 hour prior to going outdoors. Anything over 30 SPF may not provide enough additional protection to be worthwhile. Please read the following excerpt from a recent article by Dr. Cynthia Bailey, MD, a renowned Dermatologist:
There are a couple of things that really grind away at this writer's delicate sensibilities. The biggest thing on my mind this holiday weekend, is the safety of our children. This week, travelers from Virginia were passing through on the highway that runs past my berg. Mom will not be going any further, that she knows of, and the children, ages 1 & 2, are both in the hospital.
It's up to every parent and adult who has children in their care, to be especially careful this time of year. The dangers multiply when the weather grows warmer.
When there is swimming, biking, skating, outdoor grilling, camping, and hiking to be done, we frequently get caught up in the pleasure of the moment. When we're distracted by our own good times, being "in the moment" may cause us to overlook simple precautions for our young charges.
Mind you, this reminder that is as much to myself as to my readers. Keeping that thought, here's a brief list of things to keep in mind. I am sure that anything that is not on it, may occur to you as you read these:
1.) Proper clothing. Under or over-dressing in the summer heat can be risky. Overheating can be caused by too much clothing, and risk of skin damage from the environment as well as the sun can be caused by under-dressing.
2.) Sunscreen. Always wear sunscreen and apply it as early as 1/2 hour prior to going outdoors. Anything over 30 SPF may not provide enough additional protection to be worthwhile. Please read the following excerpt from a recent article by Dr. Cynthia Bailey, MD, a renowned Dermatologist:
"The percentage of UVB that’s blocked from your skin compared with your product’s SPF value
SPF 2 means 50% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 4 means 75% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 10 means 90% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 15 means 93% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 30 means 97% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 50 means 98% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 70 means 98.5% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 100 means 99% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 4 means 75% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 10 means 90% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 15 means 93% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 30 means 97% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 50 means 98% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 70 means 98.5% of UVB rays are blocked
SPF 100 means 99% of UVB rays are blocked
Notice that once you hit an SPF of 10, then 90% the percent of UVB rays are blocked. After that the percent of UVB rays blocked doesn't go up very much as the SPF numbers go up. The sweet spot is SPF 30 where 97% of the UVB rays are blocked, and most dermatologist’s agree."
3.) Water Safety Devices. Properly fitting flotation vests are imperative for any activities on the water. Inflated devices of any kind are not adequate for children's safety. Never use those small rings for children's upper arms, inner-tubes, or any other kind of inflatable device. The device must be able to support a child who is not a swimmer, without possibility of slipping off the child, or deflating while they are in the water. Anytime a child is in water that may be over their head, an adult should be "hands on".
4.) Bicycle/Skating Safety Devices. Be sure your child has a helmet that's approved by your state or the federal guidelines. Be sure that the bike fits the child. If you can't figure it out, the federal government has done it for you. Check it out on this url: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/KidsandBikeSafetyWeb/index.htm
5. Automobile Safety. Don't even consider starting your engine with an unrestrained child in the car. Buy and use only NHTSA (National Highway Safety Administration) approved child seats. Check out: http://www.nhtsa.gov/. "But little Johnny unhooks the restraints and gets himself out when we're driving," is no excuse. STOP THE CAR! Explain/teach, little Johnny that the car won't move if he doesn't stay in the seat, properly secured. You are the adult. You are in charge, not the kids. Belted in, you'll likely survive most crashes. Un-secured, the kids probably won't.
6.) DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!
7,) Don't text or make cell phone calls while your car is moving! Pull over in a safe place to make calls or do text messages. (This doesn't mean stop in the v-shaped, white lined area between the interstate highway's driving lanes and the off/'on ramps.)
Skateboarding, bicycling, trampoline jumping, swinging, and nearly any physical activity your child does in the summer, can potentially cause injury. There's no reason to be paranoid or lock the kids inside for the season. All that's necessary is common sense. They tell me that fewer and fewer people, adults and children alike, have much common sense nowadays. I guess that makes it "uncommon good sense" that's needed. If you don't have common sense, or can't understand why kids need protection from certain situations, and how to provide it, there are those who've figured it out for you. Just "Google up" whatever it is you are about to do, and add the word "safe" somewhere in your search.
Take care during the Summer of 2015, and beyond. It's attention to the details that will guarantee you a happy and safe vacation season.
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