Summer sports are a great way to keep your child active during the summer months. They allow your child to hone his or her skills while enjoying some time with teammates. Plus, sports can help older children and teens prepare for upcoming fall sports tryouts. But between the sun and the heat, some extra precautions are needed to keep your kids safe and healthy playing sports in the summer. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Apply Sunscreen Repeatedly
A good quality sunscreen is a must-have for each and every practice and game. Be sure to set a timer on your phone so that you know when it’s time for a sunscreen reapplication. If you’re not present for practices or games, then you may want to talk with your child’s coach and ask them to remind younger kids to reapply sunscreen during breaks.
Use UV-Protectant Clothing
For practices and times when your child can wear their own choice of clothes, invest in some UV-protectant clothing. There are many UV-protectant clothing options that are designed to shield your child’s skin from the sun’s rays. When youth athletes are active and sweating, UV-protectant clothes offer an additional layer of protection as sunscreen loses its potency over time.
Carry Plenty of Water
Keep plenty of water on hand during each practice and game. To keep water colder, fill water bottles halfway with water and freeze them. Before you leave your house, fill the remaining half of the bottles with water. The ice will gradually melt, keeping the water cold even if you don’t have a cooler handy.
Learn the Signs of Heat Stroke
Summer sports mean that children and teens are exercising, often for long periods of time, in significant heat. Heat stroke is possible in these situations, so make sure that you’re familiar with the signs of heat stroke.
Common signs of heat stroke include:
- High body temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- A lack or abundance of sweat
- Confusion and possibly trouble walking
- A throbbing headache
- Dizziness, nausea, and/or vomiting
- Red skin, or skin that feels clammy or dry
- Elevated heart rate
- Trouble breathing
If you suspect your child or a teammate is dealing with heat stroke, start by calling 911 immediately. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and the child will need immediate medical attention.
While you wait for help to arrive, do the following:
- Move the child to a shaded or cooler area
- Pour water over their body or have them sit in a tub with ice water
- Have them drink water or a sports drink
Use Insect Repellent
Ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects can carry harmful diseases like Zika, West Nile Virus, Lyme disease, and more. Keep your kids protected by spraying them with insect repellent before practices and games. Once they’re home, check them over for ticks, especially if they’ve been on a soccer field or other grassy area.
Schedule Carpools for Prompt Pickups
Carpools are great when it comes to dropping off and picking up your kids from summer sports. During the summer it’s especially important to make sure that you schedule carpools so that a parent is available to pick kids up promptly after a practice. The prompt pickup will help to quickly get the kids into an air-conditioned vehicle to cool off, saving them from spending any extra time in the sun.
Thanks to GoKid’s integration with TeamSnap, it’s easy to schedule carpools with the parents of other kids on your child’s team. With your busy summer schedule, work commitments, and more, carpooling can help to get your child to and from every practice and game.
