Doctors share summer safety tips for families and kids to have a happy and harm free summer

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With triple-digit temperatures this week, the valley is feeling the heat. From water safety to skin protection and even preventing learning loss, doctors share summer safety tips to help families have a happy, harm-free summer.

Pools and swim days are a common family favorite for cooling off, but they also come with many risks.

"Over 50% of the drownings that occur happen in kids who actually know how to swim already, so even though your child may be a great swimmer, you still want to be out there all the time," said Kaiser Permanente pediatrician physician lead Dr. Mitul Patel.

Water safety precautions are a top priority. Pediatricians remind families that drownings aren't just for large bodies of water or a pool. They can happen anywhere.

"For infants and smaller children, a lot of the drownings can actually happen in bathtubs and buckets. You know, kids fall over in buckets all the time and then they can't get themselves out," said Dr. Patel.

When it comes to skin protection, health officials advise wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen at SPF 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours.

"Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers that we have. So, you know, making sure that we stay hydrated, we drink our water, we use sunscreen, we stay covered up," said family nurse practitioner & UC Merced Occupational Health Services clinical lead Dr. Ayomidamope Adebiyi.

Pediatricians also encourage kids to stay active and engaged to prevent learning loss during the break.

"You have video games or some TV is acceptable, but there are limits to all this stuff," said Dr. Patel. "Reading is part of the curriculum for all age groups and grade levels. So having that maybe 15 to 30 minutes minimum of just sitting as a family and reading whatever you want to read is really, really important."

Last but not least, families can prepare for a stress-free start to the school year by getting doctor's visits booked early.

"So when school starts, you're prepared with all your physicals done, all your vaccines up to date," added Dr. Patel.

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