Hilton Head Monthly Magazine

Summer may be the most carefree season for kids, but it’s not without its pitfalls. Stay safe out there with these tips.

Jellyfish

• DON’T pour the contents of your water bottle on the affected area, and for heaven’s sake don’t get someone to pee on it. Urine and fresh water can trigger the stingers to release their venom.
• DO use a towel or something else to remove any tentacles without your fingers touching them. Rinse the area with salt water, then with vinegar if you have some. The acidity of the vinegar will help neutralize the venom and soothe the pain.
• HOW TO AVOID: Keep your eyes and ears open to what others around you at the beach are seeing and saying about jellyfish sightings and stings. The only foolproof way to avoid them is to stay out of the ocean.

Sunburns

• DON’T use an aloe vera ointment, which closes the pores and prevents the heat from escaping. And don’t go back in the sun until your skin has healed.
• DO rub 100 percent aloe vera gel, preferably chilled, all over the damaged skin. Apply a cool wet washcloth to the affected area for extra relief, and take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen to help with the pain.
• How to Avoid: Slather lots of SPF 30 on any skin that will be exposed to the sun; repeat often.

Stingrays

• DON’T remove the stingers yourself unless emergency medical care is unavailable.
• DO call 911 to get fast medical attention. Control any bleeding until help arrives; if possible, soak the area in very hot water.
• How to Avoid: Stingrays hang out along the ocean floor, so do the Stingray Shuffle when entering and leaving the ocean, shuffling your feet in the sand to scare them away.

Poison Ivy

• DON’T scratch! Also, be careful not to burn the vine along with other brush, as that can release the oil into the air, which can be dangerous if inhaled.
• DO use dish soap within 30 minutes of exposure to avoid the rash that accompanies the oil-based “poison.” Rub Tea Tree Oil on the affected area, which helps to dry out the rash and soothe the itch. Also dry heat, like a hair dryer on the lowest setting, can help with the itchiness. And wash clothes and shoes with dishwashing soap to get rid of all traces of the poison ivy oil before it spreads.
• How to Avoid: Familiarize yourself with what poison ivy leaves look like so you’ll know what to avoid.

Sand Gnats

• DON’T wear scented lotions and perfumes that attract the little buggers in the first place.
• DO wear bug spray that contains DEET, especially if you’ll be out at dawn or dusk. Some people have sworn by Avon’s Skin-So-Soft oil; others say rubbing Bounce dryer sheets on your skin, and then tucking the sheet under your hat, works wonders.
• How to Avoid: Stay inside. (No, really.) At least avoid hanging out near the water at dawn and dusk, when the gnats are at their gnastiest.

Boredom

• DON’T believe for a minute that there really is NOTHING to do.
• DO take ’em to the Sandbox, plan lots of beach time, and invest in some outdoor games and toys (croquet set, bikes, sandcastle molds and shovels).
• How to Avoid: Summer should be down time for kids and families, but underscheduling can be as disastrous as overscheduling. Start by finding a day camp or summer lesson in something that interests your child.