The carefree days of summer are here! While this time of year may provide you with more time to enjoy some exciting activities, such as swimming, it also means there is an increased risk of water-related accidents. Here are some ways to protect your children around the water this summer:
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- Both children and adults should never swim alone- even the strongest swimmer should always have a buddy
- For young children or inexperienced swimmers, provide “touch supervision,” meaning the child is within arm’s reach when in or near water
- Always supervise children closely, and at the beach, be aware of rip currents.
- Never swim during storms or lightning
- Bright colored bathing suits are best, especially for young children, so that they can be easily spotted in and around the water
- Follow all rules posted at public/private pools, waterways, and marinas.
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Take this time to come up with a plan, and stay safe in the water! Studies show that children between 1-4 years of age have the highest drowning rate. Drowning is responsible for more deaths among 1-4 year-olds than any other cause except birth defects. Even advanced swimming skills cannot drown-proof a child of any age. Close adult supervision is still necessary.
Want more tips and information on water safety? Check out some of our previous blog updates below!
https://batonrougeclinic.com/sun-and-swim-safety/
As you enjoy the beautiful outdoors this summer, it’s important to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. There’s no need to head indoors when the sun is shining – just follow these tips to keep your skin as safe as possible from the effects of the sun when you’re outside!
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- Use sunscreen everyday, even if it’s cloudy.
- Choose a water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30+ that protects against UVA and UVB radiation.
- Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside and make sure to reapply every 2 hours.
- Wear protective clothing & wide-brimmed hats when going outside.
- Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight, however if there is no way to avoid sun exposure, a small amount of sunscreen can be applied, but remember that it needs 30 minutes to be effective.
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Seek shade, cover up, and wear sunscreen!
Want more tips and information on sun safety? Check out some of our previous blog updates below!
https://batonrougeclinic.com/sun-safety/
https://batonrougeclinic.com/skin-cancer-awareness/
https://batonrougeclinic.com/protect-the-skin-youre-in-this-summer/
https://batonrougeclinic.com/the-best-sunscreen-for-your-face/
Summertime is here, and with it comes that unbearable South Louisiana Heat. The idea of forgetting about your child in a hot car is not something any parent wants to think about, but accidents happen.
The summer heat can make your car’s internal temperature dangerous. According to Dr. Mindy L. Calandro, MD., there’s a science behind what happens to your cars in the summer heat:
…on a sunny day, cars are a perfect demonstration of the greenhouse effect. The longer wavelengths of light from the sun get into your car by passing through the windows, but the energy and heat from these wavelengths cannot get out of your car. These trapped wavelengths of light are what raise the temperature inside your car. This is why your car will ALWAYS, no matter the time of the year, be hotter on the inside than it is outside when the sun is shining. It is estimated that the temperature in your car can rise by 20 degrees within 10 minutes. On a typical summer day here in the south, it is possible for your car to get to 125 degrees in a very short period of time. Even if you have the windows cracked, the temperature inside your car will still become dangerous very quickly.
Overheating for children can happen in minutes which is why it’s so important to never leave a child in the car, even for a short period. There are many preventative measures we can take to prevent these things from happening. These include:
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- Place something that you need for the day in the backseat with your child. This could be your purse or briefcase or even the shoe from your
non-driving foot. Make it so that you have to open the back door before you can go about your day. - Have something of your child’s in the front seat with you such as their diaper bag to serve as a reminder that they are in the car with you.
- Place a big stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. When you place your child in their car seat, move that stuffed animal to the front seat with you, again to serve as a visual reminder that your child is in the car.
- Children are curious and love to play hide and seek games, so if your child is ever missing while at home, make sure that your car is one of the first places you look. They may think the car makes a great hiding place, but getting accidentally trapped in the car on a hot day could have a terrible outcome.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a campaign called “Where’s Baby? Look before you lock” and encourages parents to get in the habit of ALWAYS looking in the back seat before walking away from the car.
- Place something that you need for the day in the backseat with your child. This could be your purse or briefcase or even the shoe from your
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Remember to look before you lock!
Want more tips and information on heat stroke? Check out some of our previous blog updates below!
https://batonrougeclinic.com/vehicularheatstroke/
https://batonrougeclinic.com/heatstroke/
With kids being out of school for the summer, there’s extra stress on families and demand on food pantries. The Baton Rouge Clinic and WAFB are teaming up with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank for Power UP food drive.
Help feed kids this summer by donating to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
Please drop off non-perishable food items to any of The Baton Rouge Clinic locations or make a monetary donation.
The Baton Rouge Clinic Drop-Off Locations
Baton Rouge Clinic
7373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Baton Rouge Clinic Pediatrics at Perkins
7373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Baton Rouge Clinic Pediatrics at Industriplex
12351 Industriplex Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Baton Rouge Clinic Internal Medicine at New Roads
230 Roberts Dr.
New Roads, LA 70760
Baton Rouge Clinic Psychiatry
3401 North Blvd, Ste 100
Baton Rouge LA 70806
Baton Rouge Clinic Urgent Care Center
7479 Perkins Rd
Baton Rouge LA 70808