summer safety

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

With the dreams of easy summer days lingering in our thoughts at this time of year, School District U-46 would like to take this opportunity to share some healthy tips to make summer outdoor fun a “breeze”! Taking a moment for some precautions when your family is participating in outdoor activities can help ensure your summer days are safe and healthy!

Children are often outside so it is important to take precautions to prevent skin cancer. Just a few serious sunburns can predispose a person to skin cancer.

Try to have your family seek shade especially during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays from the sun do the most damage.
Make sure your children cover up with clothing (shirts and wide-brimmed hats) to protect exposed skin.
Wear sun glasses that wrap around the face and block UV and UVA rays from your eyes.
Don't forget to rub on sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher whenever outside in the sun and on hazy days, and re-apply after swimming.

Falls and scrapes are a part of childhood. Proper care will keep children from a more serious problem.

Use a mild soap and water solution and remove any debris (small stones and dirt particles) from the wound; rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry well; apply bandages to cover the area to prevent infection.
See your doctor if a wound is not healing, looks red and feels hot, shows signs of infection, swelling or drainage.
Tell your children to keep their hands away from an open wound and encourage frequent hand-washing.

It is hard to get children to stop what they are doing and take time for a drink; however, it is important for everyone to keep hydrated.

To help prevent heat related illness during hot days, drink plenty of fluids. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink.
Rest often in shady areas.

Mosquitoes, ticks and other insects prevalent in the summer months can cause certain diseases, like West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. These steps will keep your family safe.

To help fight the “bite” use insect repellent containing DEET on clothing and exposed skin. Use insect repellent Permethrin on clothes to help keep ticks from attaching themselves. Check for ticks daily and remove them promptly. Never pull a tick out but squeeze the body with a tweezers until it lets go.
Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded areas and in the evening to protect from insect bites.
Check your pets daily for ticks after they have been outside so they do not bring them into the home.
Encourage your children to keep their hands clean and to not scratch bites to prevent infection.

Playing outside and exploring new areas are part of the summer experience for children. Knowing where they are and what they are doing goes a long way in keeping them from harm.

Take precautions to make your child's outdoor adventures safe and happy - accidents are the #1 cause of death in children.
Never let children hike or swim alone.
Keep your child active; children should get 60 minutes of moderately intensive physical activity daily.

For more information regarding summer safety for students click on Illinois Department of Public Health website

These tips can keep summer a happy and safe time for your family.


	Home Who We Are F.A.Q.'s Health Forms Keeping Kids Healthy Access to Care Contact Information Archived Information	SUMMER SAFETY TIPS With the dreams of easy summer days lingering in our thoughts at this time of year, School District U-46 would like to take this opportunity to share some healthy tips to make summer outdoor fun a “breeze”! Taking a moment for some precautions when your family is participating in outdoor activities can help ensure your summer days are safe and healthy! Children are often outside so it is important to take precautions to prevent skin cancer. Just a few serious sunburns can predispose a person to skin cancer. Try to have your family seek shade especially during the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays from the sun do the most damage. Make sure your children cover up with clothing (shirts and wide-brimmed hats) to protect exposed skin. Wear sun glasses that wrap around the face and block UV and UVA rays from your eyes. Don't forget to rub on sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher whenever outside in the sun and on hazy days, and re-apply after swimming. Falls and scrapes are a part of childhood. Proper care will keep children from a more serious problem. Use a mild soap and water solution and remove any debris (small stones and dirt particles) from the wound; rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry well; apply bandages to cover the area to prevent infection. See your doctor if a wound is not healing, looks red and feels hot, shows signs of infection, swelling or drainage. Tell your children to keep their hands away from an open wound and encourage frequent hand-washing. It is hard to get children to stop what they are doing and take time for a drink; however, it is important for everyone to keep hydrated. To help prevent heat related illness during hot days, drink plenty of fluids. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink. Rest often in shady areas. Mosquitoes, ticks and other insects prevalent in the summer months can cause certain diseases, like West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. These steps will keep your family safe. To help fight the “bite” use insect repellent containing DEET on clothing and exposed skin. Use insect repellent Permethrin on clothes to help keep ticks from attaching themselves. Check for ticks daily and remove them promptly. Never pull a tick out but squeeze the body with a tweezers until it lets go. Wear long sleeves and pants in wooded areas and in the evening to protect from insect bites. Check your pets daily for ticks after they have been outside so they do not bring them into the home. Encourage your children to keep their hands clean and to not scratch bites to prevent infection. Playing outside and exploring new areas are part of the summer experience for children. Knowing where they are and what they are doing goes a long way in keeping them from harm. Take precautions to make your child's outdoor adventures safe and happy - accidents are the #1 cause of death in children. Never let children hike or swim alone. Keep your child active; children should get 60 minutes of moderately intensive physical activity daily. For more information regarding summer safety for students click on Illinois Department of Public Health website These tips can keep summer a happy and safe time for your family.
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