Summer is almost here and many people will be enjoying the sun at one of our many fabulous park facilities or cooling off at Splash Zone, Jacksonville’s premier water park.
In order to have the most fun, make sure you stay safe while you’re enjoying the summer weather at these locations by following these tips.
Playground Safety:
- Parents should supervise children on playground equipment to make sure they are safe.
- Be aware that metal, rubber and plastic products can get very hot in the summer, especially under direct sun. Make sure the equipment is cool to prevent children from getting burned.
- Never attach ropes, jump ropes, leashes or similar items to play equipment because children can injure themselves on these items. If you see something tied to the playground, remove it or call the playground operator to remove it.
- Leave bikes, backpacks, and bags away from the equipment and the play area so that no one trips over them.
Bug Safety:
- Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child because this could attract more insects.
- Use insect repellents containing DEET when needed to prevent insect-related diseases. The current CDC recommendation for children older than two months of age is to use products that contain 10 to 30 percent DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than two months of age.
- Products that combine sunscreen and insect repellent should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
- Check yourself and your children for ticks after you play outdoors.
Sun Safety:
- Try to stay in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest.
- Cover up with clothing - this includes a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and darker color clothes made from tightly woven fabric.
- Don’t burn! Always use sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with 30 SPF or higher. Apply one ounce of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
- Keep newborns out of the sun. If they’re 6 months old or older, use a sunscreen on them and also protect them by keeping them in the shade and covered with protective clothing. Children of all ages are very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.