Summer-time Tips for Keeping Kids in Play

It’s been an exiting day! This morning I was showcasing summer time products on Seattle’s own New Day Northwest with Margaret Larson and as the afternoon progresses I will add more information to this post. However I wanted to ensure links to the products shown this morning, are available to you as soon as possible and below is a summary of the mornings topic: You can watch the segment here

Breaks and sprains are an unfortunate reality of childhood and sitting on the sidelines during the summer months while watching friends and peers water play, makes the situation even worse. Fortunately there is a solution. Swimming, showering, bathing, running through sprinklers and amusement park water rides are all possible. Arm and leg cast covers are available in a variety of sizes, from small child to NFL linebacker. It takes just a few minutes to fit, seal and go play.

Bee stings quickly take the festivity out of any adventure, but a few simple steps will get you back in the game in no time. Removing the stinger is priority. Gently scrape with finger or use tweezers to remove, being careful not to squeeze the stinger and inject more venom. Remove rings, bracelets, etc, as the area can swell and make jewelry difficult to remove. Apply ice and if necessary give the patient pain reliever according to your physician’s / pediatrician’s guidelines.

*If there is an allergy to bee stings, always remember to follow your physicians advice. WebMD’s Allergic Reaction to bee stings.

Preparation as a parent is key and icing the area will assist in the reduction of swelling and assist in pain relief. These delightful vintage ice bags come in a variety of patterns and colors and can be prepped ahead of playtime. Fill 2/3 full with ice and set inside your ice chest. If a sting or injury occurs, it’s ready to use. For more information of Blue No7 Vintage Ice Bags, see the link below.

Summertime play can lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion. Take precaution and always keep water readily available. Reusable water bottles and an easy to use water filtration system will keep the party humming. When you are filtering your own drinking water you know exactly what’s in your water bottle, but more importantly, you know what’s not. The Aquasana system filters an entire pitcher in seconds and removes 96% of chlorine and chloramines.

A few signs of dehydration, but not limited to: confusion, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea. In children: dry mouth, no tears, lethargic, is not alert, too dizzy to move or stand. Move the patient to a cool or shady place and have him/her drink fluids, avoiding caffeine and/or alcohol. Remove tight, excessive clothing and if possible add a fan. 15 minutes is the magic number. If symptoms do not improve, immediately seek medical attention. Children WebMD Adults WebMD

The frequency of head lice increases in the summer months and it’s always good to be prepared. When it comes to your kids, non-toxic is the only way to go. Patience is key to successful elimination of the little critters and LiceToKnowYou.com has a variety of products to assist. If you aren’t crazy about tackling it yourself, they have a salon in Seattle and are more than happy to check and treat your little ones. Lice to Know You products are vegan, nut free, sulfate fee, gluten free and paraben free.

Camping season and backyard barbecues bring to mind one buzzing little bug, the mosquito. Taking the pest out of the equation before it enters your private air space is the best prevention there is. Bug Bands are DEET free and if properly cared for and placed in it’s reusable plastic pod, it will last up to 120 hours or five great camping days. It’s plant-based and non-toxic making it perfect for children and pets. It can be worn on a belt loop, wrist or backpack.

**BugBands would like to remind you to keep out of reach of children 3 years of age or younger. Chewing on the band could result in pieces breaking off and becoming a choking hazard.

**BugBands should not be placed directly on infants due to the sensitivity of their skin. Place on a stroller handle or immediate area where it is out of reach of infant/toddler