Stay Safe At Summer Camp!

Main Category: Preventive Medicine
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 02 May 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Whether it's a day camp or long-term stay, a summer camp experience usually makes for fond memories for everyone involved. Parents and guardians can make the most out of the experience by preparing in advance.

"Parents should ask camp organizers basic questions about what plans they have in place to keep kids safe, handle medical emergencies, and deal with routine health needs," says Dr. Patricia Hametz, director of the Injury and Violence Prevention Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital.

"Camp staff should be trained in first-aid/CPR and also be thoroughly familiar with the facility's protocol in case of a medical emergency. Parents should receive a copy of those guidelines or have access to them through a posting on the Web site or on a bulletin board at the facility."

Dr. Hametz offers parents and guardians the following tips for a safe and injury-free summer camp experience:

-- Share pertinent information. Camp records should include emergency contacts for all children as well as the child's physician including name, telephone number, fax number and the date of the last healthcare visit. Additionally, parents should have emergency contact information for staff handy. If your child has a medical condition, camp staff should be notified.

-- Get a physical before they get physical. Make sure your child undergoes a physical examination and that their vaccinations are up to date.

-- Stay hydrated. Remind your child to drink plenty of water, even if they do not feel thirsty. Ensure they know to steer clear of sugary and carbonated drinks.

-- Teach your child to practice sun safety. Pack lightweight clothing in light colors with a loose fit to keep the sun at bay and to keep body temperatures at a normal level. Also remind your child to use sunblock (SPF 15 or greater) regularly when outdoors for prolonged periods of time, even on hazy or cloudy days.

-- Teach your child to be safe in the water. Remind your child to follow all camp rules in and around pools, lakes and other bodies of water. Children should never be around water without a certified life guard on duty.

-- Keep the bugs off. Avoid scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child. Ensure repellents contain no more than 10 percent DEET. The concentration of DEET varies in different products, so read the label of any product you purchase.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, based in New York City, is the nation's largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital, with 2,242 beds. The Hospital has nearly 2 million inpatient and outpatient visits in a year, including more than 230,000 visits to its emergency departments -- more than any other area hospital. NewYork-Presbyterian provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/The Allen Pavilion and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division. One of the largest and most comprehensive health care institutions in the world, the Hospital is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. NewYork-Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area and is consistently ranked among the best academic medical institutions in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. The Hospital has academic affiliations with two of the nation's leading medical colleges: Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Source: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

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