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As we welcome the start of spring, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens is offering advice to keep your children safe and healthy.

“Spring is a high activity season, perhaps more so than any other, and unfortunately, injuries do happen,” said Joseph J. Abularrage, M.D., chairman, Department of Pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. “There are some simple ways to protect your kids, during Little League baseball or soccer, or even just when they go back to outdoor playgrounds and the backyard.”

1. Use sunscreen when outdoors. The sun’s UV rays can affect families any season, so it’s critical to use sunscreen during the spring. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, at least 30 minutes before going outside.
2. Stay hydrated. Water helps the body to function, and as children become more active in the warmer weather, it’s critical to replenish the body’s water supply. It’s always important to make sure your child drinks water before, during and after activity.
3. Test playground equipment. An adult should check the playground’s condition before allowing a child to play on it. Snow accumulation and harsh winter climates can compromise a playground’s structural integrity. A brief inspection of playground equipment can help prevent injuries.
4. Protect your child’s teeth. If your child is participating in any kind of organized sport, you might consider buying them a mouthguard. According to the American Dental Association, mouthguard use has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries.
5. Minimize allergies. Fresh air in the home after the winter season seems nice, but if your child has allergies, it might not be practical. If the pollen count is high, close your windows and consider turning on the air conditioning.
6. Warm up. Children should walk fast or lightly jog for 5-10 minutes before doing any strenuous activities or sports to prevent injuries like muscle strains and ligament sprains.
7. Check for ticks. If a child is playing in the woods or a field, it’s important to check for ticks. The best areas to check are under the armpits, in and around ears, behind the knees and around the navel. If you find a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers and keep an eye out for a rash or flu-like symptoms.
8. Make sure your child has adult supervision. Falls are a common cause of injury in kids and can happen anywhere. An adult should always be present when kids are playing so that immediate action can be taken in the event of accident.
9. Be prepared. With their high level of energy, children can put themselves at risk for injury at a moment’s notice. Be prepared to deal with the little bumps and scrapes at home with a first aid kit, and be mentally prepared to bring a child to the hospital in the event of something more serious.

NewYork-Presbyterian Queens

NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, located in Flushing, New York, is a community teaching hospital affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine, serving Queens and metro New York residents. The 535-bed tertiary care facility provides services in 14 clinical departments and numerous subspecialties.  Annually, 15,000 surgeries and 4,000 infant deliveries are performed at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. With its network of affiliated primary and multispecialty care physician practices and community-based health centers, the hospital provides approximately 162,000 ambulatory care visits and 124,000 emergency service visits annually. For more information, visit nyp.org/queens.