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Sonja Brownlee, MD.
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Last Updated 1/2010
The information contained on this web site is not a substitute for direct examination and treatment by a physician. If any of this material is unclear or confusing, or if you have additional questions or concerns, please call the office at 778-6762.
Disclaimer:Sonja Brownlee,M.D. cannot endorse all links presented on the website as they may link to unrelated third-party websites.
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Outdoor Safety
0-11 Months Old
1-5 Years Old
Outdoor Safety (0-11 months)
- Always have a responsible person directly supervise outdoor play.
- Put up fences around play areas to keep your child out of the garage, sheds, driveway, street, pools, etc.
- Protect your baby from direct sunlight.
- Keep him/her in the shade as much as possible. Remember, water and snow reflect 50-85% of the sun’s harmful rays.
- Use protective clothing – hats, long sleeves, etc.
- After 6 months of age, you can use sunscreen. Use “baby approved” SPF 30. Test a small amount on your baby at home before using it on your baby in the sun. All sunscreen (no matter what SPF number) needs to be applied every 2 hours while in the sun.
- Check public play ground equipment for rust, loose joints, sharp edges, splinters, padding, heat, etc.
- Take precautions with outdoor grills:
- Screen the grill so that your child cannot touch it and explain that it is hot
- Store propane grills so your child cannot reach the knobs.
- Be sure charcoal is cold before you dump it.
- Check your yard for dangerous and/or poisonous plants .
- If you use pesticides or herbicides on your lawn or garden, read the instructions carefully. Don’t allow children to play on a treated lawn for at least 48 hours.
- Do not use power lawn mowers when your child is present. It may throw sticks or stones with enough force to injure them. Never have your child on a riding mower even when you are driving.
- Hold on to your baby whenever you are near traffic.
Outdoor Safety (1-5 years old)
- Always have a responsible person directly supervise outdoor play.
- Put up fences around play areas to keep your child out of the garage, sheds, driveway, street, pools, etc.
- Review boundaries of play areas with your 4 year old who is quite capable of climbing fences and opening gates.
- Pad under outdoor play equipment with grass, sand, wood chips, etc.
- Check public play ground equipment for rust, loose joints, sharp edges, splinters, padding, heat, etc.
- Teach your child “playground etiquette”
- no pushing or shoving, take turns, don’t hog a toy
- beware of swings, the bottom of slides, see-saws, merry-go-rounds
- watch out for younger children as well as older children
- Take precautions with outdoor grills:
- Screen the grill so that your child cannot touch it and explain that it is hot
- Store propane grills so your child cannot reach the knobs.
- Be sure charcoal is cold before you dump it.
- Check your yard for dangerous and/or poisonous plants .
- Teach your child to never pick and eat anything from a plant without your permission.
- If you use pesticides or herbicides on your lawn or garden, read the instructions carefully. Dont allow children to play on a treated lawn for at least 48 hours.
- Do not use power lawn mowers when your child is present. It may throw sticks or stones with enough force to injure them. Never have your child on a riding mower even when you are driving.
- Hold on to your toddler and preschooler whenever you are near traffic.
- Do not allow your child to ride tricycles or bicycles in the street or near traffic.
- Under 5 year olds are not old enough to cross the street by themselves.
- Do not allow your child to ride bikes on the street until s/he knows and follows the basic rules:
- Always wear a helmet.
- Stop and look both ways when entering a street.
- Obey all traffic lights and signs.
- Do not ride at dusk or after dark.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Wear shoes and tie the laces.
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