from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Please feel free to use them in any print or broadcast story with
appropriate attribution of source.

FUN IN THE SUN 

Babies under 6 months:

• The two main

  recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure,

  and to dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and

  brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate

  clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount

  of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas,

  such as the infant’s face. If an infant gets

  sunburn, apply cool compresses to the affected area.

For All Other Children:

• The first, and best, line

  of defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is

  covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward,

  sunglasses (look for sunglasses that provide 97% -100% protection against

  both UVA and UVB rays), and clothing with a tight weave.

• Stay in the shade whenever

  possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between

  10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• On both sunny and cloudy

  days use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater that protects against UVA

  and UVB rays.

• Be sure to apply enough

  sunscreen — about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.

• Reapply sunscreen every

  two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

• Use extra caution near

  water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in

  sunburn more quickly.

HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN

• The intensity of

  activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high

  heat or humidity reach critical levels.

• At the beginning of a

  strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the

  intensity and duration of outdoor activities should start low and then

  gradually increase over 7 to 14 days to acclimatize to the heat,

  particularly if it is very humid.

• Before outdoor physical

  activities, children should drink freely and should not feel thirsty. During

  activities less than one hour, water alone is fine. Kids should

  always have water or a sports drink available and take a break to drink

  every 20 minutes while active in the heat.

• Clothing should be light-colored and

  lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate

  evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry

  clothing.

• Practices and games played

  in the heat should be shortened and there should be more frequent

  water/hydration breaks. Children should promptly move to cooler

  environments if they feel dizzy, lightheaded or nauseous.

POOL SAFETY

• Never leave children alone

  in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment.

• Whenever infants or

  toddlers are in or around water, an adult – preferably one who knows how

  to swim and perform CPR – should be within arm’s length, providing “touch

  supervision.”

• Install a fence at least 4

  feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have

  openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under,

  or through.

• Make sure pool gates open

  out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children

  can’t reach. Consider alarms on the gate to alert you when someone opens

  the gate. Consider surface wave or underwater alarms as an added layer of

  protection.

• If the house serves as the

  fourth side of a fence surrounding a pool, install an alarm on the exit

  door to the yard and the pool. For additional protection, install window

  guards on windows facing the pool. Drowning victims have also used pet

  doors to gain access to pools. Keep all of your barriers and alarms in

  good repair with fresh batteries.

• Keep rescue equipment (a

  shepherd’s hook ­– a long pole with a hook on the end — and life

  preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd’s

  hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that

  do not conduct electricity.

• Avoid inflatable swimming

  aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests

  and can give children and parents a false sense of security.

• Children ages 1 to 4 may

  be at a lower risk of drowning if they have had some formal swimming

  instruction. However, there is no evidence that swimming lessons or water

  survival skills courses can prevent drowning in babies younger than 1 year of

  age.

• The decision to enroll a

  1- to 4-year-old child in swimming lessons should be made by the parent

  and based on the child’s developmental readiness, but swim programs should

  never be seen as “drown proofing” a child of any age.

• Avoid entrapment: Suction

  from pool and spa drains can trap a swimmer underwater. Do not use a

  pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers.  Ask your

  pool operator if your pool or spa’s drains are compliant with the Pool and

  Spa Safety Act. If you have a swimming pool or spa, ask your pool service

  representative to update your drains and other suction fitting with

  anti-entrapment drain covers and other devices or systems. See

  PoolSafely.gov for more information on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and

  Spa Safety Act.

• Large, inflatable,

  above-ground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use.

  Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable

  pool. Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing

  requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate

  fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain

  unsupervised access.

• If a child is missing,

  look for him or her in the pool or spa first.

• Share safety instructions

  with family, friends and neighbors.

BOATING SAFETY

• Children should wear life

  jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water.

• Make sure the life jacket

  is the right size for your child. The jacket should not be loose. It

  should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.

• Blow-up water wings, toys,

  rafts and air mattresses should not be used as life jackets or personal

  flotation devices. Adults should wear life jackets for their own

  protection, and to set a good example.

• Adolescents and adults

  should be warned of the dangers of boating when under the influence of

  alcohol, drugs, and even some prescription medications.

OPEN WATER SWIMMING

• Never swim alone. Even

  good swimmers need buddies!

• A lifeguard (or another

  adult who knows about water rescue) needs to be watching children whenever

  they are in or near the water. Younger children should be closely

  supervised while in or near the water – use “touch supervision,” keeping

  no more than an arm’s length away.

• Make sure your child knows

  never to dive into water except when permitted by an adult who knows the

  depth of the water and who has checked for underwater objects.

• Never let your child swim

  in canals or any fast moving water.

• Ocean swimming should only

  be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.

• Teach children about rip currents.

  If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until you

  escape the current, and then swim back to shore.

For more tips on sun and water safety, visit
www.healthychildren.org

Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics. Please feel
free to use tips in any print or broadcast story with appropriate attribution
of source.