Summer’s not over yet. Just ask my preschooler, who has morphed into a little fish during the last few weeks. Like many kids across the country, my daughter has escaped to the swimming pool to beat the heat.
Swimming is a great way to cool off, but it can also be dangerous. A new government report shows that children are drowning in swimming pools and spas at an alarming rate.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 320 children under the age of 5 died in pool and spa incidents in 2007, the latest year for which the agency had information available. That’s 75 more deaths than in 2005.
The report shows that children between the ages of 1 and 2 accounted for the majority of deaths. In addition, researchers also found that drownings occurred most often when children were in the water without an adult present.
Unfortunately, pools are not the only health hazards parents should be concerned with this summer. The sun also poses problems for kids who burn easily. Health experts recommend parents slather their kids with sunscreen at least thirty minutes prior to letting them play outdoors. In addition, you should reapply sunscreen on your child if he has been swimming or sweating profusely throughout the day.
Medical experts also note that if caught early, skin cancer is very treatable. However, studies show it might also be a pre-cursor to another kind of cancer. Researchers recently found that skin tumors might be a sign that a patient has a hereditary cancer syndrome. Last year scientists discovered a link between skin cancer and the risk of colorectal cancer and they may be able to use one to help prevent the other. Experts say if you have a history of cancer in your family especially skin cancer, you may want to talk to a genetic counselor.
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