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Summer Safety

Safety
18 June 2024

Infants need fresh air and sunshine. It is advised to take them outdoors when weather conditions permit. However, until the age of six months, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight. As your infant grows, you can gradually introduce them to the sun during safer hours – before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m., when solar radiation is less intense.

The sun shines and emits radiation throughout the year, making it crucial to follow safety guidelines whenever taking infants and children outdoors - to the garden, for a walk, or on the beach. It is essential to dress infants and children appropriately according to the weather, apply sunscreen, and reapply after a few hours or after sea bathing. It is important to note that sunscreens do not block sun radiation completely, so they should complement other protective measures, including going outdoors during safer hours, staying in the shade, wearing a hat, and wearing protective clothing.

Preventing dehydration

Dehydration occurs when the fluid balance is disrupted; when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, primarily due to sweating. Severe fluid deficiency, corresponding to 6%-10% of body weight, may lead to heatstroke.

During hot weather, our body loses a significant amount of fluid. To prevent dehydration, it is crucial to drink throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty. Set reminders, take intentional breaks for refreshment, and encourage children to drink water.

Daily fluid intake recommendations by age

  • 6 months to 1 year: 1 cup of water.
  • 1 year to 3 years: approximately 4 cups of water.
  • 4 to 8 years: approximately 5 cups of water.

It is important to raise fluid quantities according to the weather and the level of physical activity, as well as during illness.

Early signs of heat stroke: flushed face, heavy breathing, headaches and dizziness, extreme fatigue, hallucinations, shakiness, seizures, impaired speech, excessive sweating, confusion, increased heart and respiratory rates, or sudden loss of consciousness. If one or more of these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical assistance!

80% of sun injuries occur before the age of 18. Therefore, adhering to key sun safety practices is crucial for maintaining smart behavior in the sun. Prolonged sun exposure carries risks of sunstroke, dehydration, and skin damage. To prevent harm, safeguard your children by explaining these hazards and providing essential protection.

Infants up to six months old: infants need fresh air and sunshine. It is advisable to take them outdoors when weather conditions permit, but under no circumstances expose them to direct sunlight.

Infants over six months old: you can gradually introduce them to the sun during safer hours – before 10:00 AM and after 4:00 PM, when solar radiation is less intense.

The danger: radiation

Radiation emitted from the sun can induce health problems, especially for vulnerable populations such as infants and individuals with a light complexion who are prone to sunburn. The major hazards of solar radiation are burns, dehydration, skin damage, which can lead to injury, and skin cancer. Protection from solar radiation is important year-round, not just in the summer or at the beach. It is crucial to follow safety guidelines in the park or in the garden, as well as during a stroll and at any other time infants and children are exposed to the radiation of the sun.

To protect infants and children against sun damage, it is essential to combine all the following protective measures:

Stay in the shade

Try to sit in the shade, under a parasol, a tree, or some other shady place, especially at noon during peak sun hours. Beware that even in the shade, there is radiation that is reflected from surfaces such as sand, water, grass, or snow. The sun’s ultraviolet rays considerably penetrate cloudy skies; therefore, it is essential to adhere to safety rules regarding sun exposure year-round.

Wear appropriate clothing

  • During the summer, it is advisable to dress infants and children in light and airy clothes to protect their arms and legs, whether at the beach or the swimming pool.
  • Ensure infants and children wear a hat, preferably a broad-brimmed hat that provides shade for the face and protects the skull, ears, neck, and nape.
  • Equip infants and children with UVA and UVB-blocking sunglasses.

Apply sunscreens

  • Choose a 30 SPF sunscreen and over, intended for infants and children, which protects against UVA and UVB sun rays. Sunscreen lower than 15 SPF is ineffective for protecting against sun rays.
  • It is recommended not to use expired sunscreen. The Israel Cancer Association recommends paying attention to the marking on the sunscreen that indicates how long the product can be used after opening the packaging, which appears on the back of the product in the shape of an open jar with a number of months. For example, if the number 24M appears on the packaging, it means that the product is good for use for 24 months after opening.
  • Keep sunscreens in a dark and cool place (not in the bathroom) because exposing them to high temperatures shortens their shelf life.
  • If the infant develops a skin allergy, an itching, a rash, or any other reaction to the sunscreen, try another product or consult your pediatrician.
  • Apply sunscreen to the infant’s exposed skin areas approximately 25-30 minutes before leaving home, even on cloudy or cool days.
  • Reapply sunscreen to the infant every 40-80 minutes, when spending a prolonged period in the sun, and before and after sea bathing, swimming in the pool, while sweating or when wiping their skin with a towel. Pay attention! Even if you are using a waterproof product, wiping the skin with a towel removes it from the skin. Therefore, it is essential to reapply after wiping the skin.
  • In any case, never use sunscreen on wounded or injured skin.

It is important to note that sunscreens do not block sun radiation completely, so they should complement other protective measures, including going outdoors during safer hours, staying in the shade, wearing a hat, and wearing protective clothing.

Adhere to the Be-Sun-Smart rules and teach children to:

  • Seek shade.
  • Wear a hat.
  • Use sunglasses.
  • Dress appropriately.
  • Stay outdoors during safer hours.
  • Apply sunscreen.
  • Stay hydrated.

In the last decade, there has been a rise in the heat load and in the number of dehydration and loss of consciousness episodes during the summer months. Awareness, diagnosis, and appropriate preparation can help prevent life-threatening events. Dehydration occurs when the fluid balance in the body is disrupted – when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, primarily due to sweating.

Severe fluid deficiency, corresponding to 6%-10% of body weight, may lead to heatstroke.

During hot weather, our body loses a significant amount of fluid. To prevent dehydration, it is crucial to drink throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty. Set reminders, take intentional breaks for refreshment, and encourage children to drink water.

  • Offer your children cool water in a bottle or a cup, even if they do not ask for it.
  • It is always preferable to drink water, and not sweetened or carbonated beverages.
  • To encourage children to drink water, try to be creative; for example, add slices or cubes of fruits they like.

Daily fluid intake recommendations by age

  • 6 months to 1 year: 1 cup of water.
  • 1 year to 3 years: approximately 4 cups of water.
  • 4 to 8 years: approximately 5 cups of water.

It is important to raise fluid quantities according to the weather and the level of physical activity, as well as during illness.

Urine color

Urine color can be used as an indicator of fluid balance: very light urine indicates adequate hydration, while dark urine indicates the need for hydration.

Treating dehydration

If your infant or child shows signs of dehydration, lay them in the shade away from the sun, on a cool surface, stop any intense activity, and encourage them to drink to rehydrate.

If they are dehydrated and have difficulty drinking, encourage them to take slow sips from the lid of a bottle or a straw. If that is not possible, try using a spoon.

Although the situation may be very stressful, it is crucial to manage everything as calmly as possible. If necessary, kindly request those around you to maintain a distance to prevent heightened anxiety and panic.
Seek immediate medical attention if no improvement is perceived or in worse circumstances.

Heat stroke is an extreme condition arising from an imbalance in the body's heat regulation system. A heat stroke, which is marked by a high fever, may escalate to seizures and loss of consciousness. Its danger lies in the potential for multiple organ system failure and even death.

Prudent behavior in exceptionally hot conditions can prevent serious heat injuries and even save lives. Heat stroke can manifest in children under the following circumstances:

  • Following a rapid surge in external environmental temperature, such as during a heat wave.
  • After an extended period spent inside a closed car during the summer.
  • Excessive fluid intake can also contribute to the occurrence of heat stroke.
  • In severe heat conditions, it is recommended to avoid unnecessary physical efforts, outdoor activities, and trips. It is advisable to stay in air-conditioned environments and keep windows open.

Preliminary signs of a heat stroke

  • Flushed face.
  • Panting.
  • Headaches and dizziness.
  • Extreme weakness.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Unsteadiness.
  • Seizures.
  • Speech impairment.
  • Excessive sweating.
  • Confusion.
  • Increased heart rate and respiratory rate.
  • Sudden loss of consciousness.

If any of these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention!