Preschooler Safety – Outdoor Activities

Beach/Pool

• Slather them in sunscreen of at least SPF 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. We love these MD Moms sunscreen wipes for easy, fuss-free application.
• Avoid sunburns at all costs, but apply cold compresses if it happens.
• Look into buying swim rompers and sun hats with SPF protection.
• Children’s eyes are even more susceptible to harmful sun rays than their skin, so keep them covered in sunglasses and sun hats.
• Park your beach towel or pool chair by the lifeguard station and stay within their field of vision.
• Try and head to the beach or pool before the sun peaks (usually before noon).
• Always check the conditions before heading into the ocean with your little one. Stay as shallow as possible, but if you feel yourself being pulled out by a rip current, swim parallel to the beach until it breaks.
• Keep their feet covered in swim shoes or sandals for protection from hot sand and sharp seashells.
• Make sure they don’t drink swimming water, whether it’s from the ocean, community pool or backyard baby pool.
• Always be on extra high alert, especially when there’s water involved. Don’t turn your back for even a second.
• Head into the air conditioning and cool off when they start to get cranky and give them plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Overheating is a serious possibility, so keep an eye that their skin doesn’t get cold and clammy or flushed and hot. If you suspect heatstroke, call 911 and immediately give them acetaminophen and sponge-bathe their skin with room-temperature water.
• Chlorine can irritate their sensitive skin, so always rinse with clean water after getting out of the pool.
• To prevent spreading germs, wash them well before putting on their swimsuit and then change them frequently. If there’s diarrhea, stay out of the water.
• Life vests and other floatation devices are a good idea – and necessary when boating and rafting – but don’t solely rely on them to prevent drowning.
• It’s been a rule for generations for good reason: No running near the pool.
• Parents should consider signing up for an infant and child CPR class and prepare for emergencies.

Must-Follow Water Safety Rules:

1. Every child on a boat, canoe or other water vehicle needs to wear a personal floatation device.
2. Only swim when a lifeguard is on duty, and stay where they can see you.
3. At the first sign of bad weather – thunder rumbles, fast-approaching dark clouds, rough water – get out of the water and head indoors.
4. Teach kids what the different colored flags on the beach mean.
5. Always jump in water feet first unless you know how deep it is and you can see to the bottom.
6. Don’t ever – ever – turn your back when kids are in the water.

Playground/Park

• Slather your toddler in sunscreen of at least SPF 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. We love these MD Moms sunscreen wipes for easy, fuss-free application.
• Avoid sunburn at all costs, but apply cold compresses if it happens.
• Look into buying swim rompers and sun hats with SPF protection.
• Children’s eyes are even more susceptible to harmful sun rays than their skin, so keep them covered in sunglasses and sun hats.
• Head into the air conditioning to cool off when they start to get cranky, and give them plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Overheating is a serious possibility, so keep an eye that their skin doesn’t get cold and clammy or flushed and hot. If you suspect heatstroke, call 911 and immediately give them acetaminophen and sponge-bathe their skin with room-temperature water.
• Especially when on unfamiliar turf, check that the playground equipment is secure and is mounted on sand, rubber or mulch – something softer than just grass or cement in case they take a spill.
• Look for exposed bolts or rusty nails that kids could fall on and get hurt.
• Your child can graduate to the “big kid” swing around age 3. Careful they don’t fall backwards and keep a safe distance to avoid getting kicked.
• Before sending your little ones down a slide, make sure the metal won’t scald their skin.
• If sand or dirt gets in their eyes, wash his or her hands and flush their eyes with warm water. If they’re still irritated after a few hours, call your doctor to make sure there aren’t any granules under the eyelid and that the cornea wasn’t scratched.
• When exploring the park, keep your eye out for poison ivy. Socks, shoes and hats are good first defenses, and make sure you pack some calamine lotion if parks are on your itinerary.

Bee Sting Basics

1. If your child gets stung, remove the stinger as soon as you can. The longer it’s in, the longer the venom is released. Don’t squeeze or pick. To make sure you get the venom sac along with the stinger, drag your fingernail or a credit card across the small black dot in the middle of the sting mark.
2. After the stinger is out, wash the area with soap and water, apply some ice, and give them some acetaminophen for the pain.
3. If they develop a rash, shortness of breath, swollen body parts and/or unconsciousness, they could be having a dangerous allergic reaction. Call 911 immediately.
4. If you know there is a bee allergy, talk to your doctor about getting an EpiPen, Jr. – which is filled with epinephrine – when they reach 33 pounds.
5. Even if there isn’t an allergy, multiple bee stings can cause vomiting, diarrhea and fever, and that warrants a call to the pediatrician.
6. If you see red streaks, yellow fluid or continuous swelling at the sting site, there might be an infection.

6 Ways to Avoid Stings and Bites:

1. Wear an insect repellent containing no more than 10 percent DEET.
2. Avoid scented lotions and perfumed soaps.
3. Make sure they always wear shoes and preferably socks while waddling through the grass.
4. Avoid stagnant water, like ponds and swamps, where mosquitoes like to congregate.
5. Be careful around patches of clover and blooming flowers.
6. Dress your toddlers in light-colored, solid fabrics.