A Call to Families to Protect Children’s Health During the Summer Months
Guidance for families on pool and sea safety, sun protection, summer diarrhoea and hygiene during the school holidays.
As the Cyprus Turkish Pediatric Association, we want to fulfil our duty to inform the public about the risks that threaten children's health during the summer months.
Public and private swimming pools, heavily used in summer to cool off or for recreation, carry serious health risks for children because of the chlorine, algaecide chemicals and often inadequate hygiene conditions they involve. Skin allergies, eye irritation, ear infections, urinary tract infections and respiratory complaints are more common among children exposed to these chemicals. For this reason, it is important to avoid pool use for younger age groups where possible, to shower with clean water after swimming, and to prefer the sea.
Clean seas with good water circulation are both a healthy and safe alternative for children, thanks to the natural minerals that support the immune system. However, regularly analysing seawater quality is vital. As the Cyprus Turkish Pediatric Association, we invite the Ministry of Health to share seawater analysis results with the public regularly and transparently. Parents have the right to know which beaches are safe.
To protect children from the sun's harmful effects, they should be kept out of direct sun between 11:00 and 16:00, dressed in protective clothing, and, when sun exposure outside these hours is unavoidable, a dermatologically appropriate sunscreen should be used.
Summer diarrhoea and vomiting are quite common. Since these cases are mostly caused by water and food, care must be taken to keep food hygienic and properly stored.
Hand and mouth hygiene and regular dental cleaning are very important for children's health, and these habits should be instilled from an early age.
The summer holiday is an important opportunity for children's physical, mental and emotional development. Screen time should be limited, and play, reading and time in nature encouraged. Age-appropriate, regular sleep and meal routines should be maintained, with time set aside for physical activity, social events and skill-building courses.
Protecting our children's physical and mental health this summer is possible by choosing natural rather than artificial environments.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Dr. Cemal Mert, MD.
Chairman
