Little Pumpkin Pre-School Day Care

FUN IN THE SUN

Source: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/tanning.htm

Babies under 6 months:

The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and to dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area. For All Other Children:

The first, and best, line of defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that provide 97% -100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.

Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVA and UVB rays.

Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly. HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN

Source: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9845.html

The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.

At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 7 to 14 days to acclimatize to the heat, particularly if it is very humid.

Before prolonged physical activity, children should be well-hydrated and should not feel thirsty. For the first hour of exercise, water alone can be used. Kids should have water or a sports drink always available and drink every 20 minutes while exercising in the heat. Excessively hot and humid environments, more prolonged and strenuous exercise, and copious sweating should be reasons for children to substantially increase their fluid intake. After an hour of exercise, children need to drink a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage to replace electrolytes lost in sweat and provide carbohydrates for energy.

Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.

Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted. Children should seek cooler environments if they feel excessively hot or fatigued. POOL SAFETY

Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tipppool.htm

Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach. If the house serves as the fourth side of a fence surrounding a pool, install an alarm on the exit door to the yard and the pool. Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd’s hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity. Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children and parents a false sense of security. Children ages 1 to 4 may be at a lower risk of drowning if they have had some formal swimming instruction. However, there is no evidence that swimming lessons or water survival skills courses can prevent drowning in babies younger than 1 year of age. The decision to enroll a 1- to 4-year-old child in swimming lessons should be made by the parent and based on the child’s developmental readiness, but swim programs should never be seen as “drown proofing” a child of any age. Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult – preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR – should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.” Avoid entrapment: Suction from pool and spa drains can trap a swimmer underwater. Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers.  Ask your pool operator if your pool or spa’s drains are compliant with the Pool and Spa Safety Act.  If you have a swimming pool or spa, ask your pool service representative to update your drains and other suction fitting with anti-entrapment drain covers and other devices or systems. See PoolSafely.gov for more information on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. Large inflatable above-ground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use. Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable pool. Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain unsupervised access. BOATING SAFETY

Source: http://www.aap.org/family/tippslip.htm

Children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water. Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child. The jacket should not be loose. It should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted. Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts and air mattresses should not be used as life jackets or personal flotation devices. Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection, and to set a good example. Adolescents and adults should be warned of the dangers of boating when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and even some prescription medications. OPEN WATER SWIMMING

Never swim alone. Even good swimmers need buddies! A lifeguard (or another adult who knows about water rescue) needs to be watching children whenever they are in or near the water. Younger children should be closely supervised while in or near the water – use “touch supervision,” keeping no more than an arm’s length away.  Make sure your child knows never to dive into water except when permitted by an adult who knows the depth of the water and who has checked for underwater objects. Never let your child swim in canals or any fast moving water. Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty. FOR MORE TIPS ON SUN AND WATER SAFETY, VISIT:

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/marspringbreaktips.cfm

For many families, the Fourth of July weekend is the big kick-off to the summer season, which means cookouts, camp, games outside, family trips, and beach days are now a staple of life.

While you try to keep your eye on your little ones all the time, you can't be everywhere at once -- plus, there are some dangers that could happen right under your watch.

So how can you keep your child safe and healthy all summer long? Parents has expert tips to help.

Summer Car Safety A child trapped inside a hot car can suffocate quickly. When it's 93 degrees F out, the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees F in 20 minutes -- even with a window cracked. To protect your child:

Never leave him in an unattended car, even if the windows are down.Always keep your car locked, even when it's in the driveway or garage.Keep automobile keys out of reach and out of sight of children.Teach older children how to disable child-resistant locks in case of emergency.Make sure your trunk or hatch is locked at all times.Keep rear fold-down seats closed so kids won't crawl into the trunk.Call your auto dealership about having your car refitted with a release mechanism inside the trunk. Must-Read: Car Seat Safety Check Protection Against Drowning Drowning remains the second leading injury-related killer of children ages one to 14. It claims more than 900 children's lives each year, with about 300 victims under the age of four. Practice these pool rules to ensure your child doesn't become a drowning victim:

DO enroll your child in swimming lessons with a certified instructor between the ages of four and eight.DO install a fence around your pool. It should be at least five feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate.DO use a rigid safety cover when no one's in the pool. Avoid soft coverings like plastic sheets; if your child tries to walk on top, he could fall underneath.DO make sure children wear sneakers or rubber-sold shoes while walking on the deck, which can get slippery or too hot for bare feet.DON'T keep toys or clutter on the pool deck; a child could trip over something and fall into the water.DON'T let your kids push others, run, or play aggressively near the pool.DON'T let your children swim alone, and make sure your family knows what to do in an emergency; including whom to call and where to find rescue equipment. Must-Read: Teach Your Child to Swim

When at the beach, following these safety guidelines:

DO watch your child at all times, no matter how good a swimmer he is -- and even if he's playing shallow water. Unlike swimming pools, oceans can change conditions at any moment.DO make sure your child stays within the designated swimming area -- away from piers, pilings, and diving platforms.DO check the surf conditions every morning. Ask the lifeguard which potential hazards you should watch for that day.DON'T let your child use floatation devices or inflatable toys if she's not a strong swimmer; they could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath her. Must-Read: First Aid for Drowning

And before you let your baby splash in a public or backyard baby pool, follow these tips:

DO empty backyard pools every night. "Stagnant water can lead to a urinary-tract infection and can infect any cuts your child might have," says Jeanne James, M.D., an assistant professor of pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine, in New Orleans. Turn the empty pool over to drain so mosquitoes don't breed in it. This will also cut down risk of accidental drownings.DO be constantly vigilant about the danger of drowning. No baby or toddler, even one using a flotation device, should be left alone in or near a pool for even a minute. Let the phone ring, leave the door unanswered, and don't turn your head.DO be wary of taking our child to a public baby pool if she's under six months of age, because you don't know how clean the water is. If another child has diarrhea, for example, he can contaminate the pool water with E. coli bacteria, which can make your baby extremely sick. "Infants are more susceptible to gastrointestinal illnesses than older kids," Dr. James points out.DON'T forget about the safety of other children. Although special swim diapers are meant to prevent leakage of urine or feces, they don't do a perfect job. "If your child has diarrhea, she should not be in a public pool at all," Dr. James says.

So I've been spending alot of time thinking about how to improve and prepare for my new adventure in the preschool business and what an exciting time this will be...So I have now completed the playroom and I am so excited that it has all turned out so well and I cant wait for new kids to come and enjoy it!!!