Health&Wellness Magazine June 2014 | Page 7

For advertising information visit www.samplerpublications.com or call 859.225.4466 | June 2014 & 7 three-inch brim, sunglasses and clothing with a light weave. Sunscreen is an absolute must, even on cloudy days! Both the AAP and the American Association of Dermatology recommend that consumers look for a product that offers both UVA and UVB protection and a SPF of 15 or higher. Avoid sun exposure and rigorous outdoor activity during the peak sun hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Heat Exposure The intensity of outdoor activities should be decreased during high heat and humidity levels. Before outdoor physical activities, children should drink freely and should not be thirsty when activities begin. During activities, water should always be available and children should take drink breaks every 20 minutes. Clothing should be light colored and lightweight. Summer Safety Tips: Stay Safe and Let the Good Times Roll By Dana Sizemore, Staff Writer Summertime and the living is easy… school is out and schedules are relaxed. Summer break is a time for getting outside, for playing silly games, for letting watermelon juice run down your chin, and any other way you can think of having fun. Time in the summer months seems to slow down and stretch out to accommodate all the outdoor adventures we can squeeze in. As the heat rises, however, so do the risks. As we get out and about this summer there are some precautions we can take as parents to protect our little ones. The more information we have about the dangers, the more likely we are to avoid injury. We all know injury can definitely spoil the summer fun! The first step to keeping your family safe this summer is to recognize the risks that come along with our favorite summertime activities. The next step is adopting some strategies for avoiding those risks. A few precautionary steps can make a world of difference. Listed below are basic areas of concern and some tips for avoiding those problems: Bug Bites Ticks and mosquitoes can carry illnesses that can be very serious. Some of the ways you can protect your family include: Avoid using scented soaps, hairsprays or perfumes on your child. Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, like stagnated pools of water. Wear protective clothing (long pants, long sleeved shirts, tuck pants into socks) when hiking in areas of tall grass. Hike in the middle of the path and avoid areas that are overgrown. Use insect repellent, but avoid the combination sunscreen/insect repellent, as sunscreen will need to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), products containing DEET should not be used on children younger than two months of age. The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than two months of age is to use a product containing 10 to 30 percent DEET. erly maintained, so that there are no openings that children can get over, under or through. Sun Safety ILATES PP L A C E The best defense against harmful UV rays is covering up. Wear a hat with a These are just some of the safety concerns you should consider when protecting your children from the hazards of summer activity. For a more in-depth look at pediatric safety and for safety tips on other topics such as fireworks, playgrounds, open water swimming and many more, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website at www.aap.org. ILATES PP L A C E Helmet Safety Anytime a child is on wheels, be it a bicycle, scooter, skates, rollerblades or a skateboard, he or she must wear a helmet. The helmet must fit properly and should meet the CPSC safety standard. According to the AAP, a helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head and covers the forehead, not tipped forward or backward. The strap should be securely fastened with about two fingers able to fit between the chin and the strap. The helmet should be snug on the head. Water Safety Never leave children alone while in or near a pool or spa, not even for a moment. The AAP recommends a practice known as “touch supervision.” This means that the supervising adult should be within an arms length of the child being watched at all times, and should be able to reach out and touch the child, if needed. If you have a pool at your home, install a fence and make sure it is prop- PILATES IS CENTERING CONTROL IMPROVE YOUR BODY. PILATES is designed to strengthen the body’s core muscles through lowimpact fitness techniques. FLOW BREATHING PRECISION CONCENTRATION All sessions are taught by Stott Pilates trained health professionals. Flexible hours to fit your busy schedule! 365 DUKE ROAD 859.266.3810 follow us on: LOCATED IN THE POST OFFICE BUILDING EMAIL US: [email protected] | WWW.PILATESPLACEKY.COM