All doctors know the value of helmets, but Neville Anderson, M.D. may be HMF’s most vocal helmet advocate.

“When I worked in an emergency room at Childrens Hospital, we treated a little boy who was run over by a car,” says the pediatrician from HMF’s La Canada office. “He was riding his bike when a toy fell out of his basket and rolled under a parked car. He crawled under the car to get it, not knowing that the driver was ready to take off.”

The car ran over the boy’s head, but he escaped serious injury because he was wearing his helmet. If your child will be zipping through the summer—on bikes, scooters, skateboards, or in-line skates-protective gear is essential.

“A helmet should fit snugly and not be worn forward or backward,” says Dr. Anderson. In addition, skaters should wear knee and elbow pads to prevent cuts and bruises.

For minor cuts and scrapes, rinse gently with water or hydrogen peroxide, and then apply an antibiotic like Bactine or Neosporin. Cover the injured area for the first day or two to keep it clean, and then let exposure to air help the healing process.

See your pediatrician if the bleeding won’t stop or the cut is more than a quarter-inch deep (it may require stitches). Swelling, pus, or red lines extending from the injury are all signs of infection and require a doctor’s care.

No matter how comfortable your children are in the water, home swimming pools should be enclosed by a 4′ tall fence with a secure latch to keep little ones out. Keep life preservers and a pole with a “shepherd’s hook” near the pool for emergencies.

“Parents know that children should not swim unsupervised, but even adults should not swim alone,” says Dr. Anderson. “Everyone needs a swim buddy.”

Parents often wonder when to let very young children take swimming lessons. Some experts say lessons are appropriate starting at age four, but getting comfortable in the water can start much earlier. “Two-year-olds can benefit from swimming lessons,” says Dr. Anderson. “And there are lots of local options like the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, local YMCAs, and membership country clubs.”

What about that old rule about waiting an hour after a meal before you swim? “There’s no need to wait,” says Dr. Anderson. “That’s one of those old sayings that just won’t go away.”

Whether it’s a picnic at the park, a hike in the local mountains, or backyard campouts, your child is bound to get bitten by something this summer.

“Look for an insect repellent with a 30 percent concentration of DEET, but avoid the products that include sunscreen,” says Dr. Anderson. The combination products can include too much DEET.
If your child does get bitten, apply calamine lotion on the bites, and a dose of children’s Benadryl to ease the itching.

For more safety tips, see the articles on sunscreen and water in this issue, and visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.