Dr. Lightman & the TFC Patient Care Team

 

Nothing says it more than the telltale signs. Rollerblades, hoverboards, and scooters crowd the sidewalks. Ices, ice cream, and sprinklers are parts of our regular day-to-day conversation. The tulips, the pools, and the balls and jump ropes are out in the sun.

And so are the kids.

Our children, our most precious assets, need to be protected this summer season.

Good health is our priority in all seasons, 365 days a year. As you gear your child for sleepaway camp, or pack your child for day camp, be sure to include the following handy health list:

1. A Full Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is of extreme importance for your child’s health. Dr. Lightman strongly recommends that every child drink a full water bottle daily.

Hydration is always important, but especially in hot and humid weather, as we tend to lose a lot of our body fluids through sweat. When the levels of body fluids decrease, our body is in great harm. Also, keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles.

2. Sunblock

Wearing sunscreen is one of the best — and easiest — ways to protect your skin’s appearance and health at any age. Used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn and skin diseases.

“Liberally apply sunscreen on your children every day in the summer,” Dr. Lightman advises.

3. Mosquito Repellent

Repellents help protect children from bites when properly applied to skin.

Only apply insect repellents on the outside of your child’s clothing and on exposed skin—not under clothing. Use just enough repellent to cover your child. Spray repellents in open areas to avoid breathing them in.

4. Healthy Snacks

In the summer months, children are more active and need more calories. It is essential to feed our children with snacks that keep them nourished and healthy. So while Bissli and Zazas seem enticing, your child will have more energy and feel more refreshed with a bag of popcorn and a prepared bag of sliced apples.

Enriching Summer Evenings

Day camps can bring about a challenge for parents in the evenings, as their kids return home early, leaving a long stretch of time before bedtime. Here are a few suggestions to make those evenings more enjoyable:

• Consider hiring a local boy to organize sports activities with your kids.
• Some day camp age groups offer evening activities twice a week, which can be beneficial for socialization.
• Another idea is to organize a weekly activity where you and your kids visit the elderly or homebound individuals who also long for companionship.

General Safety Reminders from Dr. Lightman

With so many buses on the roads, it’s important to remain watchful while driving and pay attention to the STOP sign displayed on buses. When you see a STOP sign on a bus, remember to come to a complete stop and wait for the bus to start moving again before proceeding. On the other side of the street, please remind your children to exercise caution when crossing the street in front of the bus, even if the bus’s STOP sign is out.

Always ensure your children are under constant supervision at the pool. It is important to adhere to safety guidelines, know the depth of the water and use appropriate flotation devices. By taking these necessary precautions, we can help create a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

Communication Just Got Easier!

Our constantly updating patient portal is quick, efficient, and oh, so operational. It’s where you’ll access your lab results and various forms. Need your immunization records for your child’s camp registration? Simply make a request here and you will receive an email notification when it is ready with simple instructions on how to download the form from the portal. Prescriptions will be readily available for you at the pharmacy of choice. Say goodbye to technical hassle and hello to the convenience of streamlined communication. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding further enhancements to our patient portal!

Wishing all our patients a happy, safe, and healthy summer!

Dr. Lightman & the TFC Patient Care Team