HSE summer safety tips for parents

With the start of summer holidays approaching, HSE child health experts have shared top tips to help parents to prepare and keep children safe over the summer months.

Children might be out of their usual childcare or school routine or in less familiar places on holiday or visiting relatives. This can mean they might be exposed to risks they wouldn’t normally encounter on a regular basis.

There are some things parents can do to help make sure children have a fun, relaxing and exciting time over the summer months, but also stay safe.

Dr Abigail Collins, HSE National Clinical Lead, Child Health Public Health, said: “Summer holidays means a change in routine for children, and for parents too. At home, we are often more aware of the potential dangers, but with good weather we might be spending more time outdoors or in less familiar places.

“Children are naturally curious, so it’s good to be aware of some of the steps you can take to help keep them safe over the coming weeks whether it’s in the garden, park, visiting another home or on holiday. This includes thinking ahead to the potential risks such as unsupervised access to a balcony or swimming pool, or going to a family member’s home which hasn’t been childproofed.

“And with warmer weather here or overseas, it’s important to take steps to prevent heat exhaustion and sunburn. Parents can find advice on a wide range of topics on the HSE’s mychild.ie website, to help keep children safe and healthy during the next few months.”

Here are some tips to help make the summer months as smooth and as safe as possible:

Supervision is the number 1 message

The most important thing is to always supervise your child at all times. If you’re out and about with children and other adults, it can be easy to assume the other person is supervising them in busy places such as outdoor events or playgrounds. Always be clear on who is supervising the child and when.

Think ahead when visiting new places

1. If you’re going somewhere new with your child, think ahead. What are the potential risks and how can you address them? For example, a relative’s home might allow your child easy access onto a balcony or a busy road. The home might not be child-proofed, so may have dangerous items within their reach, such as chemicals under the sink or medicines in a handbag.
2. If you’re on holiday with a swimming pool nearby, be very vigilant. Make sure there is a locked gate or door between your child and the pool.
3. Don't forget to apply for your EHIC if you're travelling abroad this summer. It covers you for free or reduced cost healthcare when you are on holiday, or on a short-term stay in Europe. The digital version of your own EHIC card will appear in the HSE Health App before you get it in the post. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play and log in to access your health information and see your EHIC card.

Pack the essentials

1. Before leaving home with your child, make sure you have packed some essentials such as sunscreen to keep them safe from the sun, fluids to keep them hydrated, hand sanitiser and a first aid kit. 
2. If you’re planning a trip abroad in the EU or European Economic Area, make sure to pack everyone’s European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), so you can access healthcare abroad if needed.
3. Bring a supply of any prescription medicine your child is on and a supply of your usual children’s paediatric over-the-counter pain relief.

Be aware of heat stroke and heat exhaustion

Children do not sweat as much as adults, so they find it harder to stay cool. When it’s hot, you should make sure that babies and children drink enough fluids.

Children's bodies heat up much faster than adults' bodies. This is why children are more at risk of heat stroke. There's a high risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke during hot weather or exercise.

To help prevent heat exhaustion or heatstroke:

• drink plenty of cold drinks, especially when exercising
• take cool baths or showers
• wear light coloured, loose clothing
• sprinkle water over skin or clothes
• avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm
• avoid extreme exercise

Be SunSmart

Follow the Healthy Ireland SunSmart 5 S’s to protect your children’s skin:

• Slip on clothing that covers your skin such as, long sleeves, collared t-shirts.
• Slop on sunscreen: Use sunscreen with SPF 30+ for adults and 50+ for children which provides high UVA protection and is water-resistant. Reapply regularly.
• Slap on a wide brimmed hat.
• Seek shade: Sit in the cover of trees to avoid direct sunlight. Use a sunshade on your buggy or pram. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight.
• Slide on wraparound sunglasses.

Prepare for travel or motion sickness

Travel or motion sickness is caused by repeated movements when travelling. For example, going over bumps in a car or moving up and down in a boat. The inner ear sends different signals to your brain from those your eyes are seeing. The confusing messages cause you to feel unwell.

Early morning starts or departing just after food can also make children feel worse travelling, so just remind yourself of when your child has felt unwell and try to organise the travel to make it a more comfortable experience for the whole family.

During the journey, try to:

• reduce motion if possible – for example, sit them in the middle of a boat, and avoid placing them in the back row of seven-seater cars near the wheel
• distract them by talking, listening to music or singing songs – encourage them not to read, watch films or use screens
• ask them to look straight ahead at a fixed point, such as the horizon, instead of moving objects like passing cars or rolling waves
• breathe fresh air if possible – for example, by opening a car window
• encourage them to close their eyes and breathe slowly while focusing on their breathing
• break up long journeys to get some fresh air, drink water or take a walk

You can also talk to a pharmacist about particular remedies to help prevent or relieve the symptoms of travel and motion sickness.

Be aware of water safety

It’s important to think about water safety. Summer holidays might mean opportunities to splash and swim in local lakes or beaches, or swimming pools here or abroad.

To keep children safe from water outside:

• Empty, store upside down, fence off or safely cover anything that can collect water. This includes ponds, barrels, water troughs, buckets and basins.
• Never leave a child alone in a paddling pool.
• Empty paddling pools after use and store them so that they cannot fill with rainwater.
• Be aware of puddles - remember children can drown in small amounts of water.
• Never leave children alone on a farm. Fence off exposed areas on farms, including slurry pits.
• Teach your child to swim when they are at the right age. But you should still always supervise a child in and near water. You should do this whether they can swim or not.

Poison risks

Poisoning is most likely to happen to children age 1 to 4 years, with lots of ordinary household products being poisonous including dishwasher tablets, plant feed, batteries, room fresheners including liquid reed diffusers, plants, and essential oils.

You can reduce the risk of poisoning by keeping products out of your child's reach and sight.

• Store household and garden chemicals out of reach and sight of children.
• Keep products in their original containers.
• Always ensure lids are closed securely on household and chemical products when they are not in use.
• Always read the label and follow the instructions for use.
• Teach children to ask the adult minding them if something is safe to eat or drink. But do not expect children to do this.
• Teach children not to put plant parts in their mouths.

Be protected with the MMR vaccine

Latest monthly data shows that measles cases and outbreaks have been reported in many European countries, including popular summer holiday destinations, as well as further afield (USA, Canada, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines).

There is a concern that measles outbreaks may occur in Ireland this summer as families with unvaccinated children and adults travel to countries where measles cases have been reported.

The best way to protect you and your family against measles is to ensure all family members are up to date with the recommended doses of the MMR vaccine before travelling abroad. If you or your child have missed a dose of MMR vaccine, you can get the vaccine through your GP.

If you are travelling to another country:

• Babies aged 6 to 11 months can get an MMR vaccine before travelling to another country. You can get the vaccine for free from your GP. Try to get the vaccine at least 2 weeks before you travel. If your baby gets an MMR vaccine before the age 12 months, this does not change the regular vaccination schedule.
• This means they still need to get two doses of MMR vaccine at age at 12 months and 4 to 5 years (in junior infants).

Get more information and tips from mychild.ie, including the child safety section and check out the HSE’s mychild socials. Have a fun and safe summer.