It was just after 8 a.m., and Jane Samuelson of Ellenton, Fla. was making breakfast in the kitchen. Her husband, Don, was in the backyard, sipping his morning cuppa joe with their daughter, Tina. The April sunlight shone on the turquoise solar cover warming the pool. Two-year-old grandson, Jack, ambled about.
“All of a sudden, I looked outside and thought ‘why is Tina in the pool with her clothes on?’” recalls Jane.
Then, it dawned on her. Tina had jumped in to free Jack from the solar cover that, like quicksand, was pulling him under. Luckily, she was able to pull him up from the water unscathed. But, it was a reminder to “be vigilant, and keep the eyes on the little ones,” says Jane.
Health officials would applaud the black-mesh fence lining the Samuelson’s pool. It stands four feet tall and is secured by a child-proof latch. Thing is, the day Jack fell in, the latch was open.
When the school bell sounds, setting grandkids free for summer vacation, opportunities to spend time with them will be plentiful. Here, how to prep for a summer that’s as safe as it is fun.
Poolside
As Jane would attest to, a fence is the first order of business for any grandparent with a backyard pool. She and Don bought it at the local supply shop for $250. Floaties are other must-haves for pool time.
Even if your grandkids are too young to dive, it’s a good idea to have them wear flotation devices while playing near any body of water — be it a pool, lake, or ocean. It’s a good habit to form, and you never know when an unexpected trip, push, or wave may hit.
The American Red Cross recommends using floatation devices approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Look for the stamp of approval on the tag before purchasing. Jane swears by the Speedo swimsuits that have built-in flotation devices. And, she prefers blow-up flotation devices to those made of more traditional foam. “The blow-up [flotation devices] stay in place and keep kids upright,” she says.
Plan on splashing it up at the public pool? Note these tips: In the past two years, the National Center for Infectious Diseases has seen an increase in the number of Recreational Water Illness (RWI) outbreaks. These can occur when kids swallow or have contact with contaminated water and may lead to ear and skin infections, or diarrhea, the most commonly reported RWI.
If you’re at a public swimming pool, ask the manager on duty about the chlorine and pH testing programs in place. (Note: They should be testing the chlorine levels regularly...and should have a prompt answer for you.) If the water looks murky or the pool manager skirts around the question, you may consider regrouping to make other afternoon plans.
Beachfront
When a day at the beach is in the cards, soak up the sun rays safely by applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. (Remember: Water and sand reflect UV rays, which can speed up the burn factor.) The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests applying sunscreen on everyone a minimum of 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours.
Yes, sunscreen application is the last thing they want to do when the kids are itching to get outside. Your trick: Try Coppertone KIDS Colorblock. When applied, the SPF 30 lotion is a bright Barney-purple; it’s like face paint complete with sunscreen. Coppertone also sells a Coppertone KIDS QuickCover Lotion Spray in SPF 50 that’s easy to spritz on squirming little ones.
As for infants, or babies younger than six months, the AAP suggests dressing them in lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and brimmed hats that shade the neck. And, you can apply a small amount of SPF 15 sunscreen to an infant's face and the backs of their hands.
Nudge the grandkids to wear flip-flops whenever possible; their feet can easily burn or get cut by hidden objects. (We love the Crocs trend: These slip-resistant, waterproof shoes are now available in Disney themes and floral motifs; $20 - $35 at www.nordstrom.com.)
Bring plenty of water to drink, especially if you’re planning on tossing the Frisbee and building sandcastles. Kids produce more body heat during activities than adults; and, kids tend to sweat less, which is the body’s natural way of cooling itself off. The golden equation: For every 20 minutes your grandchild plays outside, have him or her drink about eight ounces of water or Gatorade.
Avoid sunstroke by keeping your eyes peeled for the following symptoms of heat-related illnesses (including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke):
* muscle cramps
* rapid heart rate
* pale skin
* fever
* nausea
* vomiting
* diarrhea
* headache
* fatigue
* weakness
* painful cramps, especially in the leg
And, when it’s hot outdoors, it’s even hotter inside the car. On an 85-degree day, the inside of a car can reach about 100 degrees…in seven minutes. Last year, 25 kids died in the U.S. because they were left in a car on a warm day. Heat stroke can happen fast, so don’t leave grandkids in the car when you run in to the grocery store for that last-minute tube of aloe on your way to the beach.
Airport-Bound
Let’s be honest. Airports can be boring. Long lines have become the norm, security measures are ever changing, and chances are your flight may be delayed. You already know it’s in everyone’s best interest to arrive two hours before your flight.
Be sure to let your grandkids know ahead of time what to expect at the security checkpoint so that it doesn’t become a scary surprise. Since airport officials screen kids just as they do adults, Barbie will have to go through the X-Ray machine, but your granddaughter will get the doll back. Your grandson will have to take off his shoes and walk through the metal detector. Let them know that the adults in uniforms are there to help protect people, even the stuffed SpongeBob SquarePants.
For the latest airport security measures and a current list of prohibited and permitted items in carry-ons, check out the U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Transportation Security Administration’s website at www.tsa.gov.
Once you’re through the security lines, your next order of business? Fun! Ask an airport official if there’s an indoor playground in any of the terminals, suggests Betty Corry of Bothell, W.A. “This is a great place for my granddaughter to burn time while we wait for a flight.
The former airline attendant travels frequently with granddaughter, Andy, 5, and has found the mini-playgrounds – with faux airplanes and sea creatures to climb on – at the Denver and San Francisco International Airports to be lifesavers. “I always keep a bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel with me though, like the ones from Bath & Body Works,” she says. “I can only imagine how many germs are crawling on the play sets, let alone in the airport, and I don’t want any of us getting sick.”
These final summer tips will hold water no matter the final destination: keep your grandkids’ medications on hand; stash a bottle of water and a Ziploc bag full of crackers in your bag; and, of course, a Blackberry full of emergency numbers is helpful, too.
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