– by Dr. Kate Evans –
We can’t avoid all danger but there are simple ways to cut the risks as we have fun with our families in the summer.
First, the sun. The Canadian Dermatology Association is clear that sun exposure poses significant health risks. The risk of malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, increases significantly if there is a history of sunburn, especially in childhood and adolescence. In my practice I have seen a couple of new cases of melanoma in the last year alone. The CDA recommends limiting sun exposure during peak hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and keeping kids right out of the sun between 12 and 2 p.m. I am going to remind my kids of the shadow test: if your shadow is shorter than you are then you know it’s time to find shade as the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Don’t forget wide-brim hats and sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and SPF of 30 or higher. And please make an appointment with your family doctor if any family members have moles that have changed or grown in size or shape, especially “ugly ducklings” that stand out and look different from other moles on the body.
Sometimes I have patients who tell me they plan to get a baseline tan to “protect” them from the sun’s rays. A tan actually offers little protection against burning (equivalent to an SPF of 2 to 4 at most) and tanning beds are considered carcinogenic by the World Health Organization. And what about the argument that we need more sun exposure to boost Vitamin D levels? Again, the CDA cautions against this approach, pointing out that most of us get enough sun by carrying out our day to day activities in the spring and summer months. “Probably in the region of a few minutes a day” is all the sun exposure that is needed, according to the CDA. Those who are concerned about winter Vitamin D levels should talk to their doctor about taking an oral supplement.
The water is another great way to keep kids happy and active in the summer months. But remember that drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under five. Back yard paddling pools can be death traps for little ones, who can drown in as little as
2.5 cm of water. Never leave children alone, even for a second, and make a point of flipping those little pools over when unattended. Consider using the summer months as a learning opportunity by signing your kids up for swim lessons. I love watching the instructors at Panorama teaching kids the first lesson of water safety: always ask permission and be accompanied by an adult before stepping in the water.
Another hazard that can occur at any time of year involves kids and choking. How many times have you had to remind your child to sit down to eat, especially when there is the excitement of a campfire and hot dogs or marshmallows are involved? Organizations like the Canadian Red Cross offer excellent first aid training, and will teach you how to perform the five back blows or abdominal thrusts that could save a life. Many people assume that all doctors have done this in real life, but in fact my first experience with a choking victim occurred at a summer family barbeque, and not on the job. I am happy to report that the hot dog flew out just as the ambulance was being called.
Camping offers a great opportunity to update your first aid kit, as I was reminded when on a trip with friends recently. When the first scraped knee occurred among our group I was not, sadly, the one to produce a bandaid. Make sure to stock up on antiseptic and bandaids, as well as an anti-histamine in case of an allergic reaction (there’s nothing worse than tenting in a field of grass and waking up with swollen, red eyes and itchy skin).
Ok, time to go pack for our summer vacation and update that first aid kit!
