Summer, Sun and Babies Now its getting hotter and summer is on us, your spending more and more time outdoors with the kids! Whatever you’re doing, make sure your little ones stay safe in the sun. Sunny day checklist • High sun protection factor sunscreen • Plenty of drinking water • Sun hat • Sunshade for the pram • Sunshade for the car • Light, loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs • Ultraviolet (UV) protective sunglasses • An effective sunshade (such as an outdoor sun tent) if you are sitting in the sun During hot weather • Avoid being outside between 11am – 3pm when the sun is strongest. • Ensure children drink water regularly - offer liquids (breast milk or formula) to babies. • Keep babies in the shade whenever possible. Remember to also use sunscreen. A baby’s skin is thin and delicate, and especially vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Shade provides partial protection against the sun. • Dress babies and children in sun hats and light, loose-fitting (cotton) clothes that cover their arms and legs to protect against UV rays. Even on cloudy or cool days, little ones can get burned. That’s because its the suns UV rays, not the heat of the sun, which burns the skin. • Put sunblock (SPF 15 and above) on children 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Re-apply every two hours, and each time the child goes in water. • Use a Brolley to protect babies and children from the sun when out and about in a pushchair. • Use an outdoor sun tent with built-in UV protection to keep babies cool and protected at the beach or park. • Use a sunshade in the car to shield babies from the heat and glare of the sun. • Never leave babies and children unattended in a car. Cars get dangerously hot very quickly. • Ensure perishable food is kept cool in a fridge so it doesn’t go off. Use ice packs for picnics and drinks. Rotten food may give a child food poisoning. • You may be out for longer than anticipated – so take drinks, suncream and appropriate clothes. Related first aid Heat exhaustion or dehydration A child may complain of a headache, dizziness or cramps. Help them sit down in a cool place and give them plenty of fluids to drink. Seek medical advice. Sunburn Move the child or baby to the shade, and give them a cool drink. Cool the sunburn by dabbing with cold water. Apply calamine cream or a special after-sun cream to soothe the skin. Seek medical advice if there is blistering. Learn more child first aid at firstaidae.au.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 07:04:01 +0000
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