How to prepare your kids for being outdoors in summer

Summer is all about visiting parks and beaches and soaking up some vitamin D. But while being in the sun is important, too much exposure can be dangerous. Too many people forget about basic precautions resulting in harmful side effects.

Kitsilano is Vancouver’s most popular beach, so you can expect that a lot of people will be packing up to enjoy a day in the sun. And with Kitsilano’s renovated pool, who could resist paying a visit? We want you to make the most of your fun in the sun by preparing you with the following list of safety precautions for you and your family.

HEAT PROTECTION

Apply sunscreen early and continuously

Even on cloudy days, you should always apply sunscreen liberally and frequently. Plan to put sunscreen on at least 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors to make sure the protection really soaks into your skin. Applying sunscreen just once is not enough. Continue to reapply sunscreen after every couple of hours and after every dip in the pool or beach.

Use proper coverage

The sun can harm skin in a number of ways. Protect your children from harmful rays and exposure by making sure you pack them a hat, sunglasses and other protective clothing. A light long sleeve shirt and pants could protect them from the sun, but keep in mind that you don’t want to overheat them with anything too heavy. Kitsilano has plenty of shops and places you can stop into to pick up a cool drink and take a break from the heat in an air conditioned building.

Note that while shade does provide relief from heat, it does NOT fully protect from UVR and your child could still get a sunburn in the shade.

Avoid peak hours

The sun reaches its peak between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Avoid letting your children play outdoors during this time as much as possible. Try to reschedule and plan outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day, such as in the early mornings or late afternoons.

Keep children hydrated

If you know you will be out for the day, pack a few water bottles and fill them up with ice. Make sure you and your child drink plenty of water before you even feel thirsty. Also eat more fruits and vegetables throughout the day.

WATER PROTECTION

Keep watch over children in water

Don’t let your phone distract you when your kids are playing in water. Lifeguards are there to help watch for signs of drowning or injury, however, ultimately it is your responsibility to look after your child. Know where your child is at all times and ensure they are keeping safe water play practices. Make sure to never leave your child alone near any body of water.

Know your skills

If it’s been a while, consider updating your basic Child CPR certificate. Ideally you should refresh your knowledge on first aid each year.

Put your child in swimming lessons

It’s a good idea for your children to take swimming lessons and as early as possible if you want them to fully enjoy the benefits of swimming. Proper lessons can significantly reduce a child’s risk of drowning.

Important References

1. Sun Safety tips for parents from the Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/sun-safety/sun-safety-tips-parents.html

2. Extreme heat: heat waves from the Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/sun-safety/extreme-heat-heat-waves.html

3. 13 Ways the Sun Affects Your Body from the Live Well blog: https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=9a64f6ba-8855-44dd-82d7-fe32b00f4e06

What to do in Kitsilano this weekend

Friday – June 1, 2018

Party

Friday night is party night! If you’re looking for a fun bar to go to this Friday night, The Ellis is the place to be. The Ellis is a bar that is all about welcoming people from distant shores and who are eager to create something new. This is a great place to go to meet new friends or hang out with old ones. This pub has a great selection of local craft beers on tap as well as a cocktail list to cater to everyone’s taste.

https://www.theellis.ca/

Saturday – June 2, 2018

Play

As North America’s longest salt-water pool, the Kitsilano pool was ranked number 3 on Red Bull’s list of world’s sexiest pools to train in. It measures a length of 137m and has the stunning view of mountains and ocean to show off Vancouver’s scenery. This year, the pool even went through a $3.3-million renovation to make the pool run more efficiently with less water and energy waste. We heard that the upgrades made it so that people will float better. Most of us might not feel the change just splashing around, but why don’t you challenge yourself and take a few strokes to see if the water feels different to you. Kitsilano pool opened for the summer on May 19 and will remain open until mi-September.

http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/kitsilano-pool-location-contact.aspx

https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/coolest-swimming-pools-in-the-world

Sunday - June 3, 2018

Shop

Going to a local farmer’s market first thing on Sunday morning can be such a refreshing experience. And if you haven’t been to the Kitsilano Farmers Market yet, then you’ve been missing out. You can’t treat your body to anything better than fresh, organic fruits and vegetables grown locally. Visit the Kitsilano Community Centre at 2690 Larch Street between 10am – 2pm. Check out their website for Vendor Listings and Market Map. Aside from the vegetation, you can even get artisan beer, delicious meat and even handmade crafts. This year, a new bakery has been included in the roster, the Rising Knead Bakery. It uses 100% organic flour to create low gluten breads.

http://eatlocal.org/markets/kitsilano/

http://maps.managemymarket.com/3168

https://www.facebook.com/RisingKneadBakery/