DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — As temperatures climb across the Wiregrass and families head to neighborhood pools, area lakes, rivers and Gulf Coast beaches, Alabama Extension is reminding parents and guardians to take extra precautions to keep children safe this summer.
According to Alabama Extension, water-related activities and prolonged sun exposure can pose serious risks for children if proper safety measures are not followed.
Silvia Vilches, a family and child development specialist with Alabama Extension, said being aware of common summer hazards can help families enjoy the season safely.
“As a parent, you cannot imagine all the creative ways your child can get into trouble,” Vilches said. “Being aware of risks of outdoor activities means you can enjoy the water and sunshine, knowing you are preventing problems now and into the future.”
According to Alabama Extension, drowning remains one of the leading causes of death for young children. Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay focused while supervising children around pools, lakes, rivers and beaches.
“Parents must stay engaged while supervising children at pools or beaches,” Vilches said. “Although we all use smartphones, put your phone down for the sake of safety and fun. If you must use your phone, ask someone else to watch the children, be brief and stay alert. Make sure you can see and hear your children at all times to prevent accidents.”
The organization also recommends teaching children to swim when they are old enough, wearing properly fitted life jackets while boating and paying attention to local water conditions before entering lakes, rivers or the Gulf.
“If you don’t have a way to become familiar with your surroundings, you can always watch the locals,” Vilches said. “If the locals are not swimming or are avoiding an area on the beach, it is a safe bet to avoid that area, too.”
With heat and high UV levels common across southeast Alabama during the summer months, Alabama Extension also encourages families to protect children from excessive sun exposure. Parents should limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, seek shade whenever possible and apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before heading outside. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming.
“A simple shadow check can help: if your shadow is shorter than you are, it’s time to seek shade,” Vilches said. “Most of a person’s harmful sun exposure happens when they’re young. Taking extra precautions to protect your children can have a lifelong impact on their health.”
Alabama Extension also reminds parents that sunscreen is not recommended for infants younger than 6 months. Instead, infants should be kept in shaded areas and dressed in lightweight protective clothing. Officials also note that children of every skin tone can experience sunburn and should be protected from harmful UV rays.
