Experts say the time between May and August is the most dangerous for children- more than half of all injuries occur during these four months. Children are especially vulnerable to heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration.
Children's skin and eyes are more sensitive to ultraviolet rays. Babies should be protected from direct sun entirely. Toddlers, preschoolers and older children should be covered well in sunscreen (30 SPF or higher) at least one half hour before going out in the sun.
Sunscreen should be reapplied every hour or so and it should be reapplied after the child has been in water. Don't forget ears, hands, feet, lips and under the eyes.
Make sure your child wears a hat and sunglasses that protect against UV rays when out in the sun for any length of time.
Children often forget to drink or to tell you that they need to drink. Common symptoms of dehydration are crankiness, headaches, aches in the joints and weariness. And don't allow your child to fill up on juice or soft drinks- these are dehydrators. Water is best.
Don't ever leave your children alone in a car. Besides the danger of abduction the temperature in a car can skyrocket in minutes.