Family health in the summer

Drowning is the third highest cause of death among children in the UK. Children can drown in 2cm of water so proper adult supervision is vital. Please make sure to:

• empty and put away paddling pools after use
• only let children go into depths that they are comfortable with
• keep your child well hydrated to reduce the risk of cramp
• use swimming aids if there is any doubt in their ability to swim

Whether going abroad this summer or staying at home, the summer holidays bring extra responsibility to parents in protecting children from the sun.

Sun safety advice

• the best place to apply sunscreen is at home, not in the blazing sun
• buy and use a five star rated sunscreen, which protects against UVA and UVB rays
• never use last years sunscreen, and buy enough for the whole family
• use factor 50 for your children and re-apply every two hours
• seek shade between 11am - 3pm when the sun is the hottest and most damaging
• invest in hats and quality sunglasses (sunglasses should protect against UV light)
• children also need to be reminded to drink water.
• babies, children should never be left alone in a car, even if the air-conditioner is on

For more sun safety information please visit the NHS.

The following are essential to include in your first aid kit:

• simple painkillers like Ibuprofen and Paracetamol - helps with pain and reducing fever
• antihistamine - helps with bug bits and hay fever
• antiseptic, plasters and gauze for any cuts
• E45 or a barrier cream such as Sudocrem - use for any skin problems while on holiday or out for the day

For a travel health checklist visit NHS

What you can do to ease symptoms when the pollen count is high:

• put Vaseline around your childs nose - traps pollen
• put wrap around sunglasses to stop pollen getting into the eyes
• keep car windows closed when driving
• wash your childs face, hair, and hands when they come from outside
• avoid drying clothes outside as pollen can cling to their clothes

Allergies are very common, an overview of allergies can be found on the NHS website.

The heat and humidity of summer increases the number of bugs. You can take steps to protect your child from being bitten by:

• invest in UV garments - not only do they protect your child from the sun but also from nasty bug bites
• check for ticks if you have been walking in tick prone areas - ticks can be removed using tweezers
• if eating outside sit - pick a spot with a slight breeze which blows mosquitos off track

If you child gets bitten try and prevent them from scratching, apply a tea towel with ice to the area as soon as possible. The NHS offer advise on treating insect bites and stings.

Simple guidelines pet owners should follow:

• NEVER leave pets in cars in the heat by themselves even if the day is warm not hot
• make sure your pet has plenty of water to drink
• provide adequate ventilation at all times
• avoid exercising pets in the heat of the day
• provide necessary protection from the sun during the hottest time of the day (11am to 3pm)

Dehydration and heat stroke are very real threats for your pet during the summer months. All animals should have fresh, clean water available whether summer or the dead of winter. Here are some symptoms of dehydration and heat stroke to look out for in your pet:

• excess lethargy
• decreased urination
• dry gums
• refusal to eat
• sunken eyes
• decreased skin elasticity

With pets spending more time outdoors in the summer (March to October), one of the biggest dangers is ticks. Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of host animals, they carry a lot of diseases but symptoms are hard to spot.

Tick prevention

Help prevent your pet from getting tick(s) during tick season:

• check for ticks after walks or trips through wooded/grassy areas
• remove ticks as soon as possible as rapid removal lessens the risk of disease
• pet shops sell tick removal devices making it easier to remove from your pet - ask your vet for advice
• use spot on treatments/tablets to kill or repel ticks if they attach

Never use dog tick medicine on cats or vice versa. Some dog tick treatments are toxic to cats, and can even be fatal to them.