By Dr. Joseph Mercola
     with Laina Krisik

School's out, the Fourth of July excitement is in the air and kids are anxious to get a jumpstart on their long days of summer fun. Two months off school also means loads of extra playtime, and with that comes increased chances of child-related accidents.

Research has shown that these months are the most dangerous time of the year for children. Unintentional injury is the number one killer of children in America. These injuries are responsible for taking more lives than disease, violence and suicide. The more knowledge and awareness parents possess on common summertime dangers, the less likely their child will have to make a visit to the emergency room over the summer.

I've detailed the five most common summer precautions every parent should take to keep their kids safe this summer.

1) Heat Stroke

As the temperatures begin to rise so does the amount your child sweats, particularly when participating in outdoor activities. When this happens children tend to lose excess amounts of water, which could lead to dangerous heat-related conditions such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Parents could help avoid this from happening by making sure their children get plenty of water to drink to make up for the lost fluids from sweating. Fluid replenishment breaks should be taken every 25 to 30 minutes. The best kind of fluid you could give your child is pure water as the high sugar content in soft drinks and fruit juices will raise insulin levels.

Heat Stroke Symptoms That Require Immediate Attention

• Skin that is red, dry and hot to the touch
• Body temperature that exceeds 103 degrees F (temperatures at this rate are considered life-threatening)
• No evidence of sweating
• Unconsciousness or confused state of mind
• Showing symptoms of shock brought on by low blood pressure
• Quickened pulse
• Pounding headache

If your child is experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, you should take them to the hospital immediately for treatment.

In the event of unconsciousness, parents are advised to try to cool down their child's body temperature immediately. Some of the ways this could be done are by placing the child in a cool shower or wrapping a cool wet blanket around the child's body.

If the child is still conscious and showing symptoms of heat stroke, the parent should give them at least one glass of cold water every 15 minutes until medical services arrive.

A condition that is not as serious as heat stroke although requires medical attention is heat exhaustion.

Signs That Your Child is Suffering From Heat Exhaustion:

• Skin is cold and pale
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Weakness

Parents should call a doctor if they notice their child is experiencing heat exhaustion and give them a cold glass of water every 15 minutes until they start showing signs of improvement.

How to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses

• Limit the amount of time your child spends in the heat, particularly when the temperatures reach 82 degrees F and higher
• Dress your child in light-weight and light-colored clothing
• Keep them well hydrated by making them take water breaks every half-hour

2) Swimming Pool Safety

Each year approximately 300 children, ages 5 and under, drown in swimming pools and in most cases it's the family swimming pool. Most of the drownings occur during the month of July. Over 2,000 children in the 5 and under age group also received emergency room treatments for submersion injuries.

Disturbing Statistics on Drowning Incidents

• Most of the drownings occurred while one or both parents were supervising the child
• In 69 percent of all cases, the parents didn't expect the children to be near the pool, yet the child was found in the water
• 65 percent of the cases happened in a friend or family's pool
• A drowning could happen in the same amount it takes to answer the phone
• A matter of seconds could determine life or death or the likelihood of brain damage
• Child drownings happen quickly and without any warning such as splashing to alert the parent there is something wrong

Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe Around the Water

• Never leave your child unsupervised near or around any water
• If you have a pool, have a fence installed that it at least four-feet high around the entire pool
• Make sure the pool gates have a self-close feature and that they are high enough to where a child cannot reach them
• Keep rescue devices such as a shepherd's hook, an extended pole with a hook on one end and life preserver. Another good safety measure is to keep a portable phone nearby
• Do not depend on "floaties" as a form of safety vest as they are not reliable
• Infants and toddlers should always be at arm's length reach of the parent while in the water
• Have your child wait a half-hour after eating to properly digest their food before going back in the water

3) Foodborne Illnesses

Summertime means a lot of family parties, picnics and cooking outdoors. Unfortunately, warm weather also creates a breeding ground for bacteria with foods sitting in the sun for extended periods of time. Some often-overlooked foods to watch out for that are prone to foodborne illnesses are lettuce, tomatoes and melons. Young children are one of the groups that are hit hardest by foodborne illnesses.

Common Symptoms of Foodborne Illness

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Cramps
• Diarrhea

The symptoms to keep an eye out for in severe cases include high fever, bloody stools and prolonged vomiting.

How to Protect Your Food From the Summer Heat

• Thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water before food preparation or eating
• Be careful to keep raw food away from cooked foods
• Keep marinated foods in the refrigerator
• NEVER leave food out past one hour when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees F
• Clean off fruits and vegetables with cool water
• Fruits with rough surfaces such as cantaloupes should be scrubbed with a soft brush
• Cold items packed for a picnic should be kept in a cooler at 40 degrees F or below. Hot items should be kept at temperatures of 140 degrees F or above

If you are struck with a foodborne illness, there are a few guidelines you should follow:

• After the vomiting has stopped, you should keep hydrated by eating ice chips or taking tiny sips of clear fluid
• In the event that you do come down with a foodborne illness like salmonella, in most people it is a self-limiting illness and is easily treated with high doses of probiotics like Primal Defense.

4) Insect Bites

Bee and wasp bites are the cause of most allergic reactions that could turn serious.

Warning Signs of a Severe Life-Threatening Allergic Reaction

• Dizziness
• Unable to breathe from swelling in the nose and throat

What to do if Your Child is Stung

• Get the stinger out as quick as possible.
• Place ice on the affected area to reduce future swelling.
• Be sure to keep the area very clean.

Protection Against Mosquitoes

It is imperative that you keep away from using any bug repellent that contains DEET.

This is a deadly and potent neurotoxin that you want to stay away from. If you absolutely had to use it--although I absolutely do not recommend this--it should only be used on your clothing, never on your skin. It is far too deadly to ever consider using it on your skin.

Most commercial insect repellents are made from DEET. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using repellents containing more than 10 percent DEET on kids under 6 years. DEET is a pesticide and has been associated with a variety of health problems ranging from dizziness to seizures, and children are especially susceptible.

Here are some effective natural options:

• The most effective product I know of is neem-based Outdoor Botanical Gel. It contains no toxic chemicals, only good-for-you ingredients to keep insects away and soothe your skin.
• Mosquitoes are not fond of the scent that marigolds give off, so plant some marigolds around your house to keep the mosquitoes away.
• Eat garlic before you go outdoors as it acts as a natural repellant to insects such as ticks.
• Check out your local health food store, as many sell natural insect repellants without harmful chemicals--but make sure to read the label to be sure

5) Sunburns

Most sun damage to our skin happens as children. Children also fall in the highest risk bracket to sunburn. Overexposure to the sun could result in a mild first-degree burn, which consists of redness and pain for a few hours after the sun exposure that eventually worsens after the next 24 hours. More severe sunburns are called second-degree burns and consist of blistering of the skin.

Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D and provides you with numerous health benefits such as fighting depression and protection against several types of cancer, so it is imperative that you do get sun exposure.

This does not mean that we should all go out and get as much sun as we want--you must exercise caution, and the key is to never burn.

Protecting Your Child From Sunburn

• Don't forget it is possible to get sun burnt through clothes as they have only an SPF of 5.9.
• Dress your child in protective clothing such as a hat, long-sleeve shirt and long pants.
• Reduce your child's exposure to the sun particularly during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest.
• At the beginning of the season limit your child's exposure to the sun to as little as 10 minutes a day. Progressively increase the time in the sun so that in a few weeks, your child will be able to have normal sun exposure with little risk of skin cancer.
• Make sure your child has adequate eye protection such as sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection from radiation.
• Additionally, consuming many whole vegetables will increase antioxidant levels in your child's body, which will provide protection against any sun-induced radiation damage.

Sunburn Relief

• Give your child a cool (not cold) bath.
• Apply fresh aloe vera gel from an aloe vera plant. This should be applied directly to the burnt area.

The summer months are a busy time for families with schedules packed with family parties, Fourth of July celebrations, vacations and many other outdoor activities. Because this season tends to be the most injury-prone time of the year, it is important for parents to arm themselves with information on how to avoid and treat common summertime accidents. In some cases, quick treatment could mean a matter of life or death. By following these tips and educating yourself on the potential childhood dangers that are sometimes overlooked, you and your family could enjoy the leisurely days of summer and possibly save your child a trip to the emergency room.

Related Articles:

Trash Your Sunscreen and Other Summer Sun Tips

Slathering on Sunscreen Does Not Prevent Cancer

Sunblock Can Actually Increase Your Cancer Risk

Eggs Not a Likely Source of Salmonella Contamination

Eggs Not a Likely Source of Salmonella Contamination

What to Use for Insect Repellant -- Hint: It's not DEET