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The heat and humidity has hit the Tri-State area and parents are doing their best to keep their children safe while still enjoying the fun that summer has to offer. There are important issues for parents to be aware of to protect kids from the negative effects of playing in the sun during times of soaring temperatures and severe humidity.
One of the biggest dangers children face in these extreme weather conditions is becoming dehydrated. Playing outside for long periods of time can make children sweat more than usual, causing them to not only lose water, but sodium and potassium as well. Your child should be taking significant water breaks and therefore frequently using the bathroom. Water with electrolytes will help keep the body hydrated and help replace the salt lost from sweating. If you choose a sports drink, take note of the amount of sugar and be careful of buying drinks with caffeine, which will only add to the problem. Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion include increased fatigue, headaches, confusion and muscle aches or spasms.
Along with concerns of dehydration, parents need to watch out for the chance of sunburn, since a child’s skin will burn easier than an adult’s. Sunblock and sunscreen are key, and SPF protective clothing is helpful as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control, children who suffer just a few sunburns are more at risk to develop skin cancer later in life. Make sure to reapply the sunscreen and sunblock if the child has been sweating, and after time spent in a swimming pool and at other water-related activities. When sunburn a does occur, the best remedy is to make sure the skin stays cool and moist. Sitting in a cool bath or applying cool compresses will help take the heat out of a child’s sensitive skin. Cortisone cream is recommended for the pain, as well as children’s ibuprofen for the swelling. Doctors advise against over-the-counter sunburn remedies as they may further irritate the skin. Stick with mild lotion or baby oil to soften the skin, and not heavier ointments which can actually hold in the heat. Finally, as much as your child wants to get back outside and play, do not send he/she back out into the sun until the redness on the skin is gone.
Keeping the little ones busy during summer break can be challenging for parents, but a child’s health and safety remain their primary concern. Even while maintaining a close watch on children, accidents and injuries occur, sending them to the hospital emergency room, an urgent care center or the pediatrician. If your child has been injured in any type of accident, or suffered an injury or illness due to medical malpractice, you need an attorney who will fight hard to get the compensation you and your child deserve. Please contact the experienced and compassionate lawyers at Finz & Finz, P.C., today.
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Finz & Finz, P.C. is a New York and Long Island personal injury law firm based out of Mineola, NY. It was founded in 1984 and is highly rated, with many honors and awards of excellence.
