The SUN has finally come out and the summer holidays are approaching, which means we can all look forward to spending the long, hot days outside in the garden or local park.
Nice weather is a godsend, especially for parents, as finding new things to do to keep the kids entertained can feel like a full-time job.
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And it’s even more important to be aware of the new hidden dangers that the summer months can bring, as even seemingly small and harmless decisions – like choosing the color of your child’s swimsuit – can be fatal.
Just this week, Olympic gold medalist and mother of two Rebecca Adlington called on the next government to ban “dangerous” colorful swimwear because it cannot be easily seen underwater.
Blue, white and gray swimsuits are much harder to see – as proven by another mother, who went viral when she posted a photo on Instagram of her two children in the pool – one in neon orange and the other in blue swimsuits .
“Pool safety starts with what they wear while swimming!” she said, showing off the big difference the color of the suit made when trying to locate her son underwater.
Prohibited areas on the playground
It’s also important not to underestimate how quickly the sun’s rays can cause children’s common equipment to heat up and become a potential hazard – especially slides.
A BBC Newsnight investigation using thermal imaging showed a children’s slide reaching almost 72°C and the tarmac surface reaching 56°C.
“This gives a good idea of how playgrounds can become a no-go area and a sense of where heat gets trapped, like asphalt,” explained Newsnight reporter Yasminara Khan.
Sliding security
That’s not the only concern either, as the popular playground equipment is also responsible for broken bones.
Previously, an American study found that more than 350,000 children under the age of six were injured on slides in the US between 2002 and 2015, and many of these injuries were leg fractures.
Many injuries occur when younger children fall down a slide into their parents’ lap, causing Nikki Jurcutz, the former paramedic behind the Tiny Hearts child and baby first aid education page, to beg parents: “Please have Be careful when going down the slide with children.”
Hose horror
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While you may associate hose-off as a way to cool your kids down, it can actually have the complete opposite effect if you’re not careful.
Parents have been warned to take care after a boy in the United States suffered second-degree burns caused by heating from a garden hose.
His mother was horrified when she sprayed her son with water from the hose while filling the children’s pool, not realizing how hot the water had risen.
Police in San Tan Valley, Arizona, explained that water left in a hose during hot temperatures can become dangerously hot – reaching 66°C if the air temperature is 46°C.
Not such a good idea
When it really gets hot, we’re all desperate for clever tips and tricks to keep us cool, and some people swear by filling a hot water bottle with cold water and putting it in the freezer.
However, while it may seem like a clever trick to help you sleep on the surface, it could actually cause a problem in the future.
This is because freezing the bottle can cause the rubber to expand and tear, meaning that the next time you heat it with much hotter water it may leak – a particular problem if it is filled with boiling liquid.
This is why it is recommended not to use the same bottle in summer and winter, and to ensure that the bottle is only filled halfway and placed in the freezer for short periods of time.
Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat
It can be very difficult – and expensive – to keep kids cool when it’s hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mom of two Sarah Bull shares five ways you can help, and they won’t break the bank either.
Take them off
It may seem simple, but getting kids out of the house can really help them regulate their temperature when it’s hot outside. Just remember to apply sunscreen regularly as more of your skin will be exposed to the sun.
Cool rooms before dark
When it’s hot outside, it can be hard for kids to sleep — especially if their room feels like an oven. If you have a room that doesn’t receive direct sunlight, keep the windows open to let in the breeze. It’s also a good idea to keep the curtains closed to prevent the room from getting hot.
Wear a hat
Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your children are playing outside, they are wearing a hat. It keeps your face and head protected from the sun and also helps if you have a child who struggles with bright sunlight. If your child has trouble keeping their hat on, try one with a strap that goes under their chin to help.
Avoid the car
The car can be one of the hottest places during a heat wave and it often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it’s better to stay home than take the kids everywhere in a hot car.
Stay hydrated
This is always important, but even more so in a heat wave. Remember to regularly remind your children to have a drink and top them up with cold liquids whenever you can. Use ice as well to ensure it is as cold as possible.
False – no
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Although an increasing number of people opt for artificial grass over a natural lawn, the jury is still out on whether the positives outweigh the potential negatives.
And there are some people who worry about the risk of injury when it heats up – a potential problem for young children and pets alike, although many insist that modern versions using heat-resistant technology are completely safe.
Devon Lost Search and Rescue used drones to compare how hot artificial grass got compared to regular grass in 2021.
Normal grass was at 28.2ºC and artificial grass at 58.2ºC in full sun – worrying for adults, children and pets.
What’s more, having a fake plastic lawn is as dangerous for the environment as “blowing smoke in your baby’s face”, gardening experts have warned.
Lynne Marcus, president of the Society of Garden Designers, said: “We want to convey to people who are thinking about laying artificial grass that it is as serious as not wearing a seatbelt or blowing smoke in your baby’s face.
“I think it’s remarkable that people think it’s not okay to buy a plastic bag, but it’s okay to cover your entire garden with plastic sheets, which is what you’re effectively doing – and destroying 1,000 years of topsoil to do it.”
Cart security
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When in the sun, we all know that staying in the shade and out of direct sunlight is important, but early childhood education experts say you should never cover your baby’s stroller with a blanket or muslin cloth.
This is because they can trap heat and cause the temperature of the stroller to rise, meaning there is a risk of your child overheating.
To prove this, a mother previously performed two controlled tests at two seven-minute intervals.
On one occasion the cart, which contained a doll, was covered with a muslin cloth and on one occasion it was not.
Over a seven-minute period, when left open and uncovered, the cart heated from 23.3 degrees to 29.9 degrees – an increase of just over 6.5 degrees.
But in the same period of time, when covered by a muslin cloth, the cart heated from 22.0 degrees to a sweltering 35.1 degrees – warming 13 degrees.
To avoid this, experts suggest you invest in a safety-certified shade that allows air circulation and protects from UV rays.
‘Britain’s most dangerous plant’
Finally, it may seem like a harmless weed, but giant nut sap can actually cause pretty serious burns, believe it or not.
The invasive species dubbed “Britain’s most dangerous plant” by experts can wreak havoc in the garden and grow more than 20 feet tall.
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It contains furocoumarin, which can make your skin extremely sensitive to sunlight, meaning that if the sap comes into contact with your skin and is exposed to the sun, your skin could form severe blisters.
In one particularly serious case, for example, a four-year-old child developed blisters so severe that he required hospital treatment, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Simply brushing the plant can cause burns, injuries and blisters, so it’s important to educate your children about their appearance so they know how to avoid it.
Fortunately, by being aware of the dangers, we can all reduce the risk to ourselves and our children, providing an enjoyable – and safe – summer.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
