What To Do When Summer Fun Ends In Injury

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Summer is in full swing and the kids are out having fun, but what happens when all that running around ends with accidents and injuries?

Trips to the hospital, severe sunburns, and bug bites can all derail summer fun; and some kids seem more injury-prone than others.

"You start bleeding, you could cry, you fall out of trees," 10-year-old McKenna Dekkers said.

The Dekkers are no strangers to summertime injuries.

"We always say 'well four stitches or less is not an emergency,' so don't make a big deal about it," Zina Dekkers told CBS 2's Cindy Hsu.

The Dekkers have their definition of an emergency, and medical experts have one, too.

"If you start to see a blistering rash, that's much more serious and that would be a reason to come see the doctor," Dr. Carey Seigel of the Children's Hospital at Montefiore said.

Dr. Siegel cautioned against ignoring blisters and ignoring burns.

"Having a blistering sunburn as a child doubles your chance of getting melanoma," he said.

High temperatures also create an increased risk for dehydration and heat stroke. Experts said that children should be drinking water before they go out and during outdoor activities.

Bug bites are another concern for parents, and some are worse than others.

At the first sign of a bite experts recommend washing the area with soap and water, and removing the stinger if a bee or wasp is the culprit. If your child starts to break out in hives or begins wheezing then a trip to the doctor is absolutely necessary.

Tick bites generally appear as a bull's-eye-shaped rash, and carry the risk of Lyme Disease. The rash can take up to 30 days to show up, so parents are advised to check their children regularly.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories