Spring break is the perfect opportunity for kids to get rid of winter dormancy and create fond spring memories. For parents, it’s a time when encouraging kids to have fun and be independent can create conflicts with safety.
Water safety
“Spring break or the Spring Break as they call it in English, they mark the return to the pool and beach activities in South Florida,” he said. Fernando Mendoza, M.D., Medical Director of the Children’s Emergency Center of Baptist Children’s Hospital and the Department of Pediatric Emergency Services for West Kendall Baptist Hospital. “That’s also when we start to see more water-related injuries in the Emergency Room.”
Dr. Mendoza says drowning or near-drowning injuries — called submersion injuries — can occur year-round. Statistics show, however, that most drowning deaths in Florida occur during the months of April, May and June. And while the national data They point to a decrease in drowning deaths for children ages 5 to 19, between 1999 and 2010, that same age group sees the most deaths from swimming pools and natural water sources – lakes, rivers and oceans.
“It’s not just young children who are injured in water accidents,” he said. “Even teens who are experienced swimmers are at risk because they underestimate the dangers associated with water activities. Jumping into the water from a high elevation, violent play and surfing all contribute to injuries and drownings in this group.”
Dr. Mendoza recommends that parents supervise children around water and install physical barriers such as door latches and pool fences to prevent access to pools when adults are away. For older children and teens, he admits it’s harder to prevent accidents. But he says talking to them about the risks associated with violent play and dangerous behaviors can help.
Protective equipment
Other common injuries during spring break include scratches, bruises, and fractures caused by falls from bicycles, skateboards, and trampolines.
“When children spend more time outside, the risk of injury is higher,” Dr. Mendoza said. When that is combined with a lack of adult supervision, conditions are very favorable for injuries.”
Dr. Mendoza, who is also a parent of school-age children, suggests protective equipment such as bicycle helmets to prevent head injuries. He also reminds his children to pay attention when riding their bikes or skateboards, as drivers can be distracted and often can’t see smaller people from their vehicles.
Heat-related disorders
A unique problem for warmer climates like South Florida’s is the threat of heat-related conditions such as dehydration, cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, a heat-related illness that can threaten life.
“Children need to be reminded to drink fluids often, even when they’re swimming,” Dr. Mendoza said. “Our bodies lose fluid very quickly in the South Florida climate, especially with the humidity we have here. When children are running around or are more active, dehydration can hit them very suddenly.”
Also, spending time outside can cause too much sun exposure. “Sunburn is also a serious threat,” he said. “Parents should apply sunscreen with a sun protection index (SPF) of at least 30 to their children every two hours or more often if they are swimming or sweating.” Clothing, hats and lenses with ultraviolet (UV) protection are also recommended. For older children and teens who may tend to ignore these suggestions and end up with a severe sunburn, Dr. Mendoza recommends that parents monitor them for signs of fever, dizziness or nausea, which may indicate a serious condition known as Solar poisoning, which requires immediate medical attention, especially if it leads to signs of infection.
Vaccines
During this spring break, doctors also warn parents of the elevated risk of influenza or measles, especially when traveling with their children to other parts of the country.
The pediatrician Javier Hiriart, M.D.of Baptist Health Medical Group and the Family Medicine Center at West Kendall Baptist Hospital, says vaccines are mostly effective in preventing these diseases, especially if they are administered when recommended by the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And while this year’s flu vaccine has been less effective. In preventing certain strains, he continues to advise parents to get vaccinated and to vaccinate their children to reduce potential dangers.
“Unlike the northern regions of the United States, where the flu season has begun to weaken, we see seasonal flu in Florida through April or May,” Dr. Hiriart said. “Even if you haven’t received the flu vaccine, you may want to get it now to protect yourself during this extended time.”
When it comes to measles, and of special interest to parents of children who have not been vaccinated, Dr. Hiriart recommends bringing children up to date on recommended vaccinations.
“The measles, mumps and rubiola (MMR) vaccine is 95 percent effective when given the time to work,” he said. And he suggests parents review their own vaccinations to make sure they’re up to date, too. “People born before 1957 are assumed to have a natural immunity to measles. Anyone born in 1957 or later must have received two doses of the MMR vaccine to prevent disease.”
Dr. Hiriart says parents with children younger than 6 months should take special precautions when traveling. Babies that age are still getting their primary vaccines and may be more susceptible to infections overall.
International travel
When his patients plan to travel out of the country for spring break, Dr. Hiriart suggests they visit the travel health section of the CDC website to ensure they are protected against potential diseases abroad, such as hepatitis A and malaria. He recommends that you begin vaccinating against diseases common in the areas you are traveling to as soon as you start planning your international trip, including cruises. “This allows vaccines time to bolster their immunity against these diseases,” he said.
Common sense
Both Dr. Mendoza and Dr. Hiriart suggest parents use common sense to protect their children against potential dangers that can occur during spring break.
“Children and accidents go hand-in-hand,” Dr. Mendoza said. “Spring break is a good time to remind our children and ourselves to be prepared and pay attention to dangerous conditions.”
Dr. Hiriart echoes that sentiment, adding that with communicable diseases you have to stay on top of hand hygiene. “We don’t know who we may be exposed to, so be sure to protect yourself and your family as much as possible.”
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