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PO Box 447 1373 East State Road 62 Madison, Indiana 47250-0447 Make Summer Safety Child's Play Summer days are much more fun when they don't end with sunburns, itchy bites and other preventable injuries. Stay safe with these simple tips. 1. Stand guard. Designate an adult as "water watcher" to supervise all swim times, whether at a pool or your favorite swimming hole. Teach children not to dive into shallow or dark water. 2. Stay sun smart. Have your children wear lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants, along with a hat, to cover as much skin as possible. Look for clothes made of synthetic fibers with an "ultraviolet protection factor" or UPF, which means they're designed to block ultraviolet radiation. Apply a broad- spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF 15 to all exposed skin and reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days. 3. Thwart an insect attack. Protect your kids using repellents that contain DEET at concentrations less than 30 percent, IR3535, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus as the active ingredient. Mosquito and tick bites can cause serious health problems such as West Nile virus or Lyme disease. Never use sunscreen- insect repellent combination products, as the need to reapply sunscreen could overexpose children to repellent chemicals. 4. Bike safely. Make sure children wear helmets and highly visible clothing when riding bicycles. Teach them the rules of the road, and outfit their bikes with reflectors. 5. Plan ahead. School may be the last thing on your mind, but summer is a good time for annual wellness visits and sports physicals. A visit to Madison Pediatrics can ensure your child is up to date on vaccinations or sports-specific medical tests. ■ Whether you need treatments for summer bumps and burns or a school physical, contact Madison Pediatrics at (812) 273-5437. This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.