(Adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics)

Fun In The Sun: Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap
    Slip into some shade and cover up clothes.
    Slop on some sunscreen before going outdoors.
    Slap on a hat.
    Wrap on a pair of sunglasses

For older children, the first, and best line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays and comfortable cotton clothing. Stay in the shade whenever possible and avoid sun exposure during the peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunscreen should always be used with an SPF of 15 or more after 4-6 moths of age. Use about one ounce per sitting and reapply every two hours, or after swimming, or sweating. Sun protective hats and clothing are available at www.sundayafternoons.com. Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs and use brimmed hats. Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside and use even on cloudy days.

Heat Stress In Exercising Children
When high heat and humidity reach critical levels, the intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced. If you begin a strenuous exercise program or if you travel to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and gradually increased over a period of 10 to 14 days. Make sure your child is well-hydrated before beginning any prolonged physical activity and during the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, even if the child does not feel thirsty. Clothing should be light-colored. lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Dry garments should replace sweat-saturated garments.

Pool Safety
Never leave children alone or near the pool. Fences should be installed at least four-foot high around all sides of the pool. Make sure pool gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can’t reach. Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook – a long pole with a hook on the end – and life preserver) and a portable or cell phone near the pool. Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties”. They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security. Children are not developmentally ready for swimming lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning. Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length, providing touch supervision.

Bug Safety
Do not use scented soaps, perfumes, or hair sprays on your child. Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate: stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom. Avoid dressing your child in bright colors or flowery prints. If you need to remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail. Repellents appropriate for use on children should contain no more than 10 percent DEET because the chemical, which is absorbed through the skin, can cause harm. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age. Make sure you check the label of the product as each product varies with the amount of DEET. Only DEET-based repellents can be relied on to provide prolonged protection in environments where mosquito-borne disease are a substantial threat.

Bicycle Safety
Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready. This usually is at age 5 or 6. Consider the child’s coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster brakes until your child is older and more experienced. Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new bike. Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to "grow into." ALWAYS wear bike helmets!

Calcium: Where to Get Your Boost (Adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics)

On the GO:

• Order milk or milk shakes instead of soda
• Choose foods with cheese or top your salad, chips or soups with cheese
• Select yogurt or ice cream

At Home:

• For children over 2 years old, drink 1% or skim milk
• Drink calcium-fortified orange juice
• Use low-fat yogurt on its own or with fresh fruit
• Create special drinks with milk (smoothies with frozen fruit or yogurt)
• Eat calcium-rich vegetables with cheese or yogurt based dips (broccoli, carrots, turnips)

Daily Calcium Needs

Consider giving a calcium supplement if your child is not getting the recommended amount of calcium