With the temperature rising and the official start to Summer only days away let’s talk Summer fun safety. I thought it would be a good idea to explore ways to keep childcare safe during the upcoming hot months.
Very young children are among the most vulnerable during periods of extreme heat. This can be especially true if they are very active during hot weather.
Read on to see what the CDC has to say regarding periods of extreme heat, how to avoid heat-related illness, best practices for water play activities, and sun protection.
How Hot is Too Hot?
So how hot is too hot for the kids to be outside? Well according to the CDC, it depends and is actually location specific. Rather than a specific temperature, extreme heat is defined by “temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. “
Related Reading:
Watch the news for Extreme Heat weather advisories
Help Them Keep Their Cool
When it comes to childcare safety during the Summer months the key is to stay cool. The CDC (Center for Disease Control & Prevention) advises that childcare safety and Summertime play be balanced with ways to keep the body cool to prevent heat-related illness.
Here’s A Fun Boredom Busting Activity For The Kids!
How to Beat the Heat
- Stay Hydrated
Drink lots of water and avoid the sugary drinks.
- Keep Cool in the AC
Air-conditioned areas are great cooling spaces to help little bodies cool off.
- Keep it Light
Have the children wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing.
Sun Protection
When it comes to the hot Summer months, sun protection is a must! Here is a great sun safety tool kit for childcare:
Sun Safety Tool Kit:
- Have a Hat – Hats provide shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear Sunglasses – Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun’s rays and keep your eyes healthy.
- Apply Sunscreen – Put sunscreen on any exposed skin about 15 minutes before going outside to make sure you are totally protected. When it comes to sunscreen, think spray-on, water-resistant.
- Cover Up – Clothes can provide great protection from the sun. Long-sleeved shirts and pants offer the best protection. Darker-colored clothing is usually more protective than lighter colors.
Childcare Safe Water Rules
According to the CDC, every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two will be children aged 14 or younger. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages, and the second leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 14 years.
In fact, more children 1-4 years die from drowning than any other cause of death except birth defects.
This will be the hit of the Summer at your daycare!
Preventing Water Play Injuries
- Touch Supervision – Keep your childcare safe by having supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision”, be close enough to reach the child at all times.
- Don’t Get Distracted – Because drowning occurs quickly and quietly, adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, talking on the phone, etc.) while supervising children.
- Empty After – Be sure to empty wading pools, water tables, etc. after each use.
- In an Emergency – Know what to do in an emergency. Be sure you are up to date on CPR and the keys to drowning survival.
Related Reading:
Prepare, Protect & Prevent!
Keeping Childcare Safe During Summer
When it comes to keeping childcare safe during Summer it pays to be prepared and to think about protection & prevention. The key to safe Summer fun is:
- Be aware of Extreme Heat & Stay cool
- Protect from the Sun
- Employ safe water play rules
Have a wonderful and safe Summer!
