Summer worries: How can we avoid the dangers of vacation?

One should be very careful to drink plentifully, to avoid dehyrdation. A dry mouth, crying without tears, minimal urination followed by headaches, confusion and dizziness are symptoms of dehydration.

By JUDY S IEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Nahariya is supa nice521 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Nahariya is supa nice521
(photo credit: Courtesy)
My son is 15-and-a-half years old, and this year for the first time, he will not go to camp during the upcoming summer vacation. We can’t afford to send him to camp, and anyway he is not interested.
He prefers to sit at home and watch TV, play on the computer and ride his bike or rollerblades while we go to work. He will also babysit our younger child, who is four, while my husband and I are at work. He is a responsible type, and we are paying him for this “work,” so he is committed.
My mother will come to visit from time to time to see if they are OK, but she works too, so my son will be in charge. He may also take my daughter for walks and supervise while she rides her bike (with training wheels).
Although we have talked to my son, I worry about what will happen to his regular routine and safety during the vacation. And I would also like to know how to avoid dangers posed when we go as a family to the pool, nature spots and elsewhere when we have time off during the coming two months.
J.P., Yeroham Prof. Yehezkel Weissman, head of the emergency medicine department at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva, replies: Summer is a potentially dangerous time for children, and numerous youngsters are injured and even die from dehydration, falls, drowning and other accidents.
There are also risks from sunburn, and children tend to develop unhealthy sleep patterns and gain weight due to eating junk food through the summer.
Whenever a child rides a bike, rollerblades, skates, etc., he should wear an approved helmet and elbow and knee protectors. These are the most effective ways to prevent head and limb injuries. Even young children on tricycles should get used to wearing helmets. They should ride only in places meant for it and not in busy streets.
When your son and daughter go outdoors they should both wear hats to prevent sunburn and sunstroke, and apply sunscreen regularly. Wearing long-sleeved but light clothing is recommended for additional protection.
It’s best to go out before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. If they go to the pool (whether with or without you), make sure your daughter is closely watched and has inflatable floats on her arms. Tell your son never to leave her alone, even in a shallow wading pool. Even older children should wear floats if they are not good swimmers.
One should be very careful to drink plentifully, to avoid dehyrdation. A dry mouth, crying without tears, minimal urination followed by headaches, confusion and dizziness are symptoms of dehydration.
If you go to the beach, be aware that jellyfish season has begun. A jellyfish sting usually is not dangerous, but it is painful. Should you be stung, don’t rub the affected area. Instead, wash it with sea water – not drinking water. If you feel general weakness after being bitten or develop blisters, seek medical aid.
Your home should be equipped with bars on the windows to prevent falls. Younger children should not be allowed to play on balconies without adult supervision. Keep chairs and other objects that can be climbed on, out of the reach of younger children.
Leave good food you have prepared in the refrigerator daily, or freeze it so meals can be heated up safely, rather than have your son order pizzas or cook hot dogs. Leave cut-up vegetables and plenty of fruit in the refrigerator and encourage your children to eat them.
Explain to your son that watching TV and playing on the computer is fine for some of the time, but not for eight hours a day. Suggest that they go out to a park and play ball or use playground equipment (with your daughter carefully supervised).
In any case, have a long talk with your son about these dangers and discuss what he will do to keep himself and his sister safe. Besides paying him, you should “reward” him for safe and responsible behavior by going out for fun as a family when you are able to take vacation as well. Then observe all the safety rules that you have explained to him.
Clinical dietitians from Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba add: One out of four Israeli children suffers from overweight or obesity as a result of inactivity and poor diet. To make sure that they eat properly during their summer vacation, prepare individual servings that can be warmed up in the microwave.
Kids should eat a good breakfast during their vacation and not only before they go to school. Some ideas are yogurt and granola with fruit; sugar-free or low-sugar, high-fiber cereals; toasted-cheese sandwiches; muffins with cheese.
Nutritious sandwiches with tuna, omelets or low-fat cheeses and whole-wheat bread, along with salads you prepare in advance, are good for lunch.
You can also leave a fish or meat meal or dairy quiches ready to heat. Try to avoid frying foods as much as possible.
As for snacks while watching TV, if your kids get their hands on junk food while they sit on the couch, they are very likely to gain weight over the next two months. Snacks should be nutritious. Cut-up vegetables, small sandwiches, home-made popcorn without a lot of salt and oil, dried fruit and corn-onthe cob are recommended. ■
Rx for Readers welcomes queries from readers about medical problems. Experts will answer those we find most interesting.
Write Rx for Readers, The Jerusalem Post, POB 81, Jerusalem 91000, fax your question to Judy Siegel- Itzkovich at (02) 538-9527, or e-mail it to jsiegel@jpost.com, giving your initials, age and place of residence.


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