Summer safety important as parents relax rules, routines

Summertime invites a liberating, carefree attitude and a loosening up of rules and routines. With schools out and family vacations planned, it’s easy for parents to let their guard down. But here are helpful reminders from Dr. Marsha J. Marumoto, chief of pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, for keeping your family healthy and safe this summer.

SAFE FUN

We all love to have fun in the sun, but a lifetime of exposure can cause a host of skin issues, including cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 380 new cases of skin cancer in Hawaii this year. Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. The label should say "broad spectrum coverage," which gives protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply liberally every two hours or more frequently if you are swimming or perspiring. When possible, avoid the direct sun during peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses with 100-percent UV protection and sun-protective clothing with a UPF rating of 50 or higher.

PROTECTION ON THE GO

Recent skateboarding accidents have made local headlines and are tragic reminders that kid’s play can have dangerous consequences. State Health Department statistics show the number of skateboard-related injuries serious enough to require treatment in a hospital rose from 428 in 2003 to 792 in 2010. Helmets and knee and elbow pads can help minimize the danger. So can gentle but persistent reminders from parents before kids go out to play.

BUCKLE UP

During the summer, families usually travel more, both locally and away from the islands. For young children, proper child restraints and seat belts are not only the safer way to go, they’re the law.

WATER SAFETY

Hawaii ranks second in the nation for drowning deaths, and water safety is important year-round. While at the beach or neighborhood pool, employ the buddy system and look out for each other. Younger children should always have adult supervision. Summer is also a great time for kids to learn to swim or strengthen their water skills at the YMCA (www.ymca­hono­lulu.org), Leahi Swim School (www.leahi­swim­school.com) and other swim clubs.

ONLINE SAFETY

Online activities can fill the need for quiet time if done in moderation. But as most parents already know, precautions are necessary to protect kids from predators, just as they are needed to keep them from immediate physical harm. Many tools help parents block inappropriate sites and allow them to track the sites their children visit. Explore the safety settings on YouTube, Google and other popular sites, and find more tips at www.net­smartz.org.

BE PREPARED

Keep a summer survival kit handy. It should include bandages in a variety of sizes, antibiotic cream, sunscreen, insect repellant and other items. (Visit www.redcross.org for a checklist.) When traveling, keep at hand information on your family doctor, health insurance and medications used by all family members.

QUENCH YOUR THIRST

Whether at the beach, a park or in your backyard, active kids need to stay hydrated to avoid heat-related illnesses. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, which actually cause you to lose more body fluids. On a hot day a cool glass of water can quench a thirst better than anything else. Learn the signs of heat-related illnesses at emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp.

ZZZZZZZZ

Kids have more unstructured playtime during the summer than at any other time of the year. This means parents need to provide the structure and balance that usually comes with school and extracurricular activities. Because kids are often more physically active during the summer, the proper amount of sleep is critical to their overall health.

DOWNTIME

For younger children, afternoon naps should remain a part of their summer schedule. Even older children can benefit from "quiet time" to reflect and calm their overstimulated systems. Summer reading doesn’t have to be a chore; it can be an enriching pleasure if parents help their kids find books that pique their interests.

For public library locations and hours and information on summer reading programs, visit www.librarieshawaii.org.

Enjoy! Above all, keep active, stay healthy and enjoy this wonderful time of year!