From wearing bike helmets to keeping kids hydrated, Dr. Maher says there are a few things you can do to help keep kids safe during summer play. 

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

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Learning to ride a bike — it's something many kids look forward to. Ending up in the emergency department is not.

"Bicycle injuries are commonly seen among children. And one of our key preventive measures for that are bicycle helmets," says Dr. Maher.

Wearing a well-fitted helmet every time is important. 

And not just the kids, everyone can reduce the risk of head and brain injuries in the event of a crash by wearing a bike helmet. 

Consider sun safety as well. Put on the sunscreen.

"Kids also don't like to put on sunblock, which is extremely important," he says.

And don't forget to keep the water flowing.

"They should drink lots of water, plenty of it. And once they get into the second or third bottle of water, they can start adding in something like an electrolyte drink just to kind of keep the electrolytes up as well because you lose salts and water," Dr. Maher says.

Tips to keep kids safe during summer play

• Make sure everyone riding bicycle wears a properly fitted helmet.
• Ensure children of all ages wear sunscreen while outside.
• Have plenty of water available to help keep kids hydrated.

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips for protecting babies from harmful UV rays
• Mayo Clinic Minute: A warning to parents about sliding with kids
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Fall prevention tips for kids

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NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, reports that May 2023 was the third warmest May in 174 years. And it looks like June is following suit. The National Weather Service is forecasting very warm temperatures across much of the country this week, especially across the south.

Working or playing in heat like this can be dangerous. Dr. Steven Maher, an emergency medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic, has this top tip if you have to be out in the heat:

Watch: Stay hydrated and the signs of heatstroke

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video is available in the downloads at the end of the post. Name super/CG: Steven Maher, M.D./Emergency Medicine/Mayo Clinic

"I can't stress enough hydration; they should continually be hydrating. And, you know, they should drink lots of water, plenty of it. And once they get into the second or third bottle of water, they can start adding in something like an electrolyte drink just to like the second or third bottle of water, they can start adding in something like an electrolyte drink just to kind of keep the electrolytes up as well because you lose salts and water."

Heat illness begins with heat exhaustion when you might begin to feel nauseous, tired, dried out and thirsty.  If you don't cool down and hydrate, you can advance to heat stroke.

"When you get into heat stroke, your core body temperature rises, oftentimes over 40 degrees centigrade, and you get confusion and multiorgan dysfunction, and that's a very bad place to be. We don't want people to get to that extreme," says Dr. Maher.

If you notice someone struggling, Dr. Maher says, you want to remove the outer layers of clothing and, if possible, put ice packs in the person's armpits or the groin. You can also spray a person with tepid water.  If available, position a fan to circulate the air.  This can also help cool the person off.

Other heat-related articles:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: Heat and how it affects medication
• Safety tips to prevent heat-related illness
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

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A warning to parents about sliding with kids

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A warning to parents about sliding with kids

The post A warning to parents about sliding with kids: Mayo Clinic Radio Health Minute appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, hundreds of thousands of children were injured on slides in the U.S. from 2002 through 2015, and many of those injuries were leg fractures caused by sliding with an adult.

Dr. Steven Maher, an emergency medicine specialist, explains the risks.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:53) is in the downloads. Read the script.

"Ready?" a dad asks as he gets set for a trip down a slide with his toddler on his lap.

It's  the wrong way to go down a slide. And here’s why: According to new findings presented to American pediatricians, riding a slide on a parent’s lap increases the risk of injury to the child.

"Basically injuring and fracturing their lower leg," says Dr. Steven Maher, who was not part of the study. "And with the parent’s weight behind them, it actually causes increased force on the foot and ankle and causes fractures at that point."

According to researchers, of kids under 6 years old, toddlers ages 12 to 23 months had the highest percentage of injuries. The most common injury was a fracture, usually resulting from the lower leg being twisted or bent backward while sliding.

Dr. Maher’s advice is to monitor kids closely, but let them slide solo.

"They are more flexible, and they have less weight," he says. "And, therefore, they are less likely to have a fracture."

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