As the COVID-19 Pandemic Eases, Here are Some Tips for Keeping Kids Safe this Summer

Saroj is a mother to two children, a son, and a daughter. She lives in India and has been seeing a change in her children for the past few weeks. She is worried that the lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic have had an awful lot of impact on their daily routines and how they are supposed to enjoy their lives as children.

Saroj doesn’t want this to continue. She wants her children to have fun growing up and enjoy their lives while staying safe. She also understands that only she can help her children get that sort of fun back and be safe at the same time. But how? What can she do to help her kids stay safe in summer and still have fun?

If you are facing the same questions, then we’ll help you get the right answers today.

Understanding COVID-19 in Children

According to several studies, children are more likely to have asymptomatic infection. This means that children are more likely to spread the virus to other children and adults. Most children who come in contact with the COVID-19 virus show mild symptoms.

However, it is still possible for children to get severely ill and require hospitalization, a ventilator, or intensive care. Further, children under the age of 1 year are at an increased risk of severe illness. Children with the following medical conditions are also at a greater risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms.

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Chronic lung disease
• Sickle cell disease
• Genetic conditions
• Neurologic conditions
• Metabolic conditions
• Heart disease since birth or congenital health diseases
• Weakened immune system
• Obesity
• Multiple chronic conditions that are affecting several parts of the body or require significant technological support for functioning in daily life

Because of these reasons, it is vital to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in young children.

Important Tips for Kids to Stay Safe During the Summer Months

• Talk to Children about Maintaining Social Distancing and Hand Hygiene

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have been in effect all across the globe for the last 2 years. This is why chances are that your children already have a lot of practice with frequent hand washing. Your children might also be very good at keeping a safe distance from other children and adults outside of the household.

This is great as these behaviors will stay with your children for the rest of their lives. Irrespective of this, Saroj still recommends her children to wash their hands frequently, wear a mask when around other people, and keep a safe 6 feet distance from other people. You should do the same with your children.

• Precautions to Follow When Eating Outside at Restaurants or Public Places

Ideally, you should eat home-cooked meals inside the safety of your home where the chances of being infected from COVID-19 are less. However, if you must eat outside, then it is better to eat in an open space. Make sure that you bring a hand sanitizer with you. Ensure that your children and you are using the hand sanitizer before and after the meal.

If it is possible, then you can even bring your own booster seat or portable high chair. If this is not possible, then you should wipe down the child seat or mat provided by the restaurant by using a disinfectant cloth. Keep your distance from other diners.

• Can My Children Give Someone a Hug Without Spreading the Coronavirus?

Saroj’s children are very affectionate. Before the pandemic, they were always hugging their friends and family members to say hello and goodbye. This is a nice practice as hugs are known for reducing stress, can make someone feel safe, and not lonely.

Children can use this sort of reassurance now more than ever. And the good news is that the chances of transmitting COVID-19 during a quick hug are low. So, it is safe to a certain extent for children to hug other people who have been vaccinated.

To further make sure that the safety of your child is maintained, make sure both individuals are wearing a mask before hugging. Ideally, the adult or other child that your kid is hugging should have been in quarantine and following all the preventative guidelines.

• Babysitters at Home

Saroj has a lot of questions when it comes to babysitting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some questions that are going through her head right now are:

• Is it safe to have a babysitter at her home?
• What if the babysitter is vaccinated? Is that safer?
• What rules should she set inside the household to decrease the chances of infection?

There are some things that you and Saroj can do to make sure that your children are safe even when someone is there to babysit them. These practices are:

• Make sure that everyone is washing their hands often
• Ensure that everybody is avoiding touching their faces
• Make sure that the babysitter removes her or his shoes when entering the house
• Ask the sitter to stay at home if he or she is sick
• Ask the sitter to show a negative COVID-19 report before returning
• Make sure that the sitter is following all the family rules when it comes to going out into the public
• Prefer parks and other outdoor settings to indoor and crowded locations when it comes to going out to play or for some errand
• Ask your sitter to be fully vaccinated
• Interact with the sitter while wearing masks
• If you want to drop your child off at a friend’s or family member’s home, then make sure that the friend or family member is vaccinated. This will be safer for both the child and the adult
• Playing Outdoors or Indoors?

Indoor playdates are not recommended for children under the age of 11 years. Further, when your child goes out to play try to limit the number of friends as much as you can and make sure that everybody is wearing masks.

Children should also be following social distancing as much as possible. Make sure that your children wash their hands before they come back inside. It is easier for the virus to scatter in the open air, this is why it is safer for children to play outside.

• Being Safe and Cool During the Summer

Children love to swim during the summer. Saroj especially loves going to a pool and spending time playing with her children in the pool. She is worried if she can still do that this summer.

If a pool has the proper level of chlorine and other standard pool chemicals, then the coronavirus will be inactivated. However, if one is standing or sitting too close to someone, then it might be possible to spread the virus.

This is why it is best to practical socially distancing when outside. Children should also wear a mask if they are not in the water. Touching shared items in the shared locker rooms should be avoided.

Prepped for Safety and Fun this Summer!

Saroj is looking forward to spending time with her children this summer. She is planning a bunch of activities that are fun and will keep her children safe. She also hopes that you have been able to make a list of great activities for your children too.