Your kids probably are counting the days until summer vacation. We asked some of the pediatricians at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC’s Children’s Community Pediatrics — the largest pediatric and adolescent primary care medical network in Western Pennsylvania — their safety tips to make this a safe one.
- “Enroll your kids in swim classes. Even if they know how to swim,
adult supervision at all times is a must, as are rules, such as no running near the pool, or diving into
shallow water.”
John J. Labella, MD/Bass-Wolfson - “Avoid midday sun and heat, and wear hats and long sleeves when
out in the sun at any time.” Driving to a vacation spot? “Take frequent breaks, but
don’t let your child out of the car seat until you have parked.”
Ken Keppel, MD/Armstrong - “Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 before going outside,
and reapply every two hours while in the sun.”
James Romberger, MD/Oakland - “Protect the one brain we’re born with by wearing a bike
helmet when on wheels.”
Donald Vigliotti, MD/Armstrong - “Many wrist fractures can be avoided if kids wear proper wrist guards
when they are on scooters, bikes, rollerblades and skateboards.”
Charles Silverstein, MD/South Hills
Lawnmower Safety: As much as you’d like your kids to help mow the lawn, children under 12 should not operate lawnmowers of any kind. For added safety, keep children off riding mowers until they’re at least 16 years old. And, before you start mowing the lawn, send your children (and pets) inside.