Falls are common
The leading cause of summer visits to
Beebe Medical Center? Falls, Bristowe
says. “Visitors check into their rental
home, and within hours they end up in
the emergency room. In many cases,
the kids are jumping on beds while the
parents are unpacking, and either the
child falls off the bed, hits his or her
head on a low ceiling or bumps into a
sibling.” In other cases, adults who are
unfamiliar with new surroundings
take a tumble at night while moving
around a dark house.

Wet, slippery surfaces, rocking boats,
inadequate balcony railings, bunk
beds, spiral staircases and cocktail-
induced unsteadiness add to the
lengthy list of fall sources, he says,
advising that a little extra caution goes
a long way.

Preparation is key
Dr. Lisa Brennan, pediatrician with
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
in St. Petersburg, Florida, suggests
parents research potential dangers and
hazards of their vacation spots. For
example, many people don’t realize
how common stingray stings are in the
shallow Florida waters, she says.

Brennan also advises parents to check
for a pediatric urgent care or hospital
ER for children close to their
destination, and then store that
information in their phones.

Always stay mindful of the sun’s
strength, Brennan says, especially
when on a boat or breezy beach or
playing in the water. Parents may not
realize the sun’s intensity until they or
a child has second-degree burns.

Brennan is a mom of young triplets,
so she knows how to lay down the
law when it comes to enforcing safety
rules on vacation, which is supposed to
be a fun, whine-free time. “Children
will push the limit on these, but it is
our job as parents to keep them safe,
and some things are just non-
negotiable,” Brennan says. “No
sunscreen? OK, no beach time. No
helmet? No bicycle riding. No life
jacket? Then, no boating.”
Prepare children ahead of time, she
says, making repetition part of the
process. For example, Brennan says
parents can prep their children by
saying, ‘Tomorrow, we are going on
a boat ride to see dolphins. We are
going to be wearing life jackets so
that we can have a fun time and know
that we are safe.” Keep dropping
reminders in different ways leading up
to each activity.

Plan for what you can, and discuss
rules and emergency plans with
your whole family in advance,
Brennan says. This way, the family
is prepared; there is no need to worry
about “what if,” and families can
enjoy their time together.

For the Road
Pack these parent tips from mobile moms and dads who have
learned on the go.

>> “Having current insurance cards, doctors’ numbers and a prescription list,
especially if you are traveling with older parents, helps hospital staff.”
— Clay Stambaugh
>> “On our family vacations, we’ve had Lyme disease, pneumonia, a febrile seizure,
an asthma attack, stitches and a torn Achilles’ tendon. Definitely be well-versed in
your insurance’s out-of-state ER policy.” — Alexandra Bull
>> “Before heading out (maybe when putting on sunscreen), snap a quick family photo
so you have a current picture of everyone and what suits they are wearing in case
someone gets lost on the beach.” — Drew Wagner
>> “Get trip insurance! For minimal expense, it gives you peace of mind.”
— Marissa Rutzebeck
>> “Common troubles are sunburn, sun poisoning, dehydration and injuries caused by
boogie boards or those rafts with cords that tangle on arms or legs.”
— Mary Mitcherling, RN
>> “When I was a beach lifeguard, we called the ambulance daily for someone slicing
their foot open on shells.” — MaryBeth Bevacqua
>> “If you are staying at a resort, check to see if they have a doctor on call or a
concierge who can help you get prescriptions filled if needed.”
— Lisa Mathias
>> “Walk your kids to the lifeguard stand and introduce them. It gives them an extra
point of reference in a crowd and personalizes your kids to the guard.”
— Becky Conley
>> “Take pictures on your phone of insurance cards, prescription lists and schedules,
passports, etc. to have backup copies of information handy.” — Michael Fitz-Patrick
Further resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
cdc.gov/family/kids/summer/index.htm Find helpful data on water safety, sun precautions and how to avoid heat-related illness,
playground injuries and pesky mosquitos and ticks.

American Academy of Pediatrics
healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Travel-Safety-Tips.aspx Find searchable tips on airport security, car seats, germ control, international vaccine
requirements, jet lag and a checklist for travel-safety kit items and more.

washingtonFAMILY.com June 2018 49