Common Pediatric Injuries during Summer and How to Avoid Them: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

7 Common Summer Injuries in Children and How to Prevent Them

Summer is a wonderful time to be a child. From swimming at the local lake early in the morning, to riding bikes around the neighborhood at lunch time to catching fireflies as the sun sets behind the hill, summer is magical. However, summer is also the time of year when injuries for children are on the rise. Scrapes and bruises are a part of growing pains. Watch out for these common pediatric injuries during summer in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

With all this activity, it's not surprising that pediatric injuries are quite common during the summer.

Common Pediatric Injuries During The Summer

Here are seven common pediatric injuries that can occur during summer and some tips on how to prevent them from leading to an emergency room visit.

• Sunburn- With more time spent outdoors, children are at a higher risk of getting sunburned. Make sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and encourage your child to wear protective clothing and a hat.
• Heat Exhaustion- When temperatures rise, children can become overheated and experience heat exhaustion. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids and takes frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
• Dehydration- High temperatures can also cause dehydration. Encourage your child to drink water frequently, and avoid sugary drinks, which can contribute to dehydration.
• Insect Bites and Stings- Mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects can be a nuisance during the summer. Encourage your child to wear insect repellent and avoid areas where insects are prevalent. Teach your child to be gentle and respectful around bees and wasps to avoid being stung.
• Falls- Falling can sometimes be no big deal. Sometimes all your child has to do is pick himself up and move on. Sometimes, though, a fall can be a much more serious issue. Depending on where and how the fall takes place determines how serious the injury.
• Bicycle Accidents- Taking a hard corner, hitting a soft patch of sand or coming down a hill too fast can cause a dangerous fall. In order to keep your child safe when they are on their bike, teach them to wear a helmet, brake with the back wheel first, wear brightly colored clothing, use lights at night, use hand signals when turning, never ride a bike on the phone or with food, and always ride with friends.
• Playground Accidents- Young children may fall when on the playground. This often happens when your child is running and screaming with friends without paying attention. It is important to teach your child that they need to play carefully without running, do not play by the swings unless they are in fact swinging, do not run on raised platforms and do not run with anything in their mouth.
• Pool Accidents- The pool is a great place to spend the summer. However, at the pool is where some of the most deadly injuries occur with children. Proper pool safety must be followed whether your child is at home, a friend’s home or at a public pool. Be sure to teach your child the following pool rules:
  • No glass at the pool
  • No running near the pool
  • No phones in the pool area
  • No diving in the shallow end
  • No swimming alone
  • No swimming when it is raining or thundering

  Drowning is the most common pediatric pool injury. Always ensure that there is a lifeguard or parent present. Know the signs of drowning and teach older children CPR in case of emergency.

• Head Trauma- Whether a child has fallen off a bike, dove into the shallow end of a pool or has been playing too rough on the field, head trauma is possible. With small children head trauma needs to be addressed immediately as the signs of concussion are not always easy to assess. If any of the following symptoms are present seek emergency care.
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness
  • Loss of balance
  • Glassy eyes
  • Personality changes

This summer, have a wonderful time in and around in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. If your child suffers any of the common pediatric injuries described above bring them in to see a medical professional.

We have ER locations across the DFW metroplex that are open and here to help you 24/7 for whatever spring throws your way.

We have 9 facilities spread across the DFW area with average wait times of less than 10 mins that are OPEN 24/7 located in Hurst, Colleyville, Frisco, Highland Village, Hillcrest, Uptown, Little Elm, Mansfield, and Texoma.