Tips from a PICU nurse: summer safety for babies & young children

Paediatric ICU nurse and first aid educator Charlotte Young brings her practical, real-world experience to help families enjoy a safe summer.

When summer arrives, life spills outdoors with beach picnics, playgrounds and backyard splashing. It’s the season of freedom, but also the time when small slips can lead to scary moments.

A really common question we get from families in our & Breathe First Aid courses, especially when we’re talking about red flag signs of sickness is “how do I know if this is normal or if I’m overreacting?”

Baby breathing, even when they are fine, can look (and sound) a bit strange, especially when they are little. But sometimes, those small changes are actually very important clues that your baby needs help.

Below are four of the most common summer first-aid situations and how to keep your little one safe...

1. SUNBURN

Here in Aotearoa, little ones can burn in under six minutes.

Why it’s a risk

Our UV levels are some of the highest in the world. Young skin is thin and burns fast, even on cloudy days. Just one severe sunburn in childhood doubles the lifetime risk of melanoma, and around five moderate burns do the same.

Prevention

+  Keep babies under 12 months out of direct sunlight

+  Create shade with hats, canopies, or light, long sleeves

+  Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen 20 minutes before heading out, reapplying every 2 hours and after swimming or towel-drying

+  Avoid peak UV hours (10 am-4 pm)

+  Remember reflective surfaces like sand, water, and concrete intensify exposure

Signs to look for

Red, warm, painful skin that may swell or peel. Severe burns can blister or cause fever and chills.

What to do

+  Move indoors or into shade

+  Cool the area gently with a damp cloth or a cool bath (never ice)

+  Apply a fragrance-free moisturiser or aloe vera gel to help the skin heal and stay hydrated

+  Offer plenty of fluids. Burnt skin increases dehydration risk

+  If blisters or fever develop, or your child seems unwell, see a doctor

2. HEAT EXHAUSTION AND DEHYDRATION

Little bodies heat up faster than adults and cool down more slowly.

Why it’s a risk

Children aren’t as good at regulating temperature or recognising thirst. Sitting in a hot car seat, pram, or playground can raise their core temperature in minutes. Babies lose water quickly through sweat, crying, and breathing, making dehydration and heat exhaustion common companions.

Prevention

+  Offer frequent sips of water or breastfeeds, don’t wait for thirst cues

+  Dress in light, breathable clothing and a wide-brimmed hat

+  Keep naps and play in the shade

+  Never cover a pram with a blanket or cloth (airflow matters!)

+  Never leave a child unattended in a car, even for a minute

Signs to look for

Flushed or clammy skin, irritability, tiredness, headache, or dizziness. Babies may have fewer wet nappies, dry lips, or sunken eyes. Serious signs include vomiting, drowsiness, or loss of sweating, a red flag for heatstroke.

What to do

+  Move to a cool, shaded area or inside with a fan

+  Remove excess clothing and sponge the skin with cool water

+  Offer fluids often

+  If your child vomits, becomes floppy, or seems confused, call 111 immediately

3. CUTS AND SCRAPES

The key way to decrease the risk of infection when your child has a cut is to clean them well.

Why it’s a risk

Bare feet, gravel paths, and beach shells mean more tumbles and grazes. Young skin tears easily and infections start fast in warm, humid weather.

Prevention

+  Encourage shoes outdoors, especially around rocks, shells, or pavement

+  Check play spaces for glass or debris

+  Keep fingernails short and clean

Signs to look for

Bleeding, visible dirt or gravel, or swelling around the wound.

What to do

Bleeding first aid:

+  Stop the bleeding: apply firm pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for several minutes

+  Clean the wound: rinse gently under drinkable tap water for 5 minutes to flush out dirt. Avoid alcohol wipes or hydrogen peroxide

+  Cover: once clean and dry, use a non-stick sterile dressing. Change it when wet or dirty

+  Monitor: keep covered for 2-4 days, then uncover as it heals

+  Watch for infection: redness, swelling, pus, or increasing pain are signs to see your GP

+  If bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes, or the wound is deep or gaping, seek medical attention

+  Make sure tetanus protection is up to date

4. WATER SAFETY AND DROWNING PREVENTION

Drowning is silent and it can happen in under 20 seconds.

Why it’s a risk

Over 85 percent of child drownings happen when a parent is nearby. Toddlers are curious and top-heavy, they can drown in as little as three centimetres of water. It often occurs when adults don’t realise the child has entered the water.

Prevention

+  Always supervise within arm’s reach (includes pools, baths, buckets, and beaches)

+  Empty paddling pools and buckets straight after use

+  Avoid puddle jumpers or floatation wings that tip children forward. Use certified lifejackets for open water

+  Enrol in swimming lessons early to build comfort and safety awareness

+  Choose bright swimsuits (orange, red, yellow, pink etc) for visibility

+  Keep pool fences closed and gates self-latching

Signs to look for

A drowning child may have their head low in the water, mouth barely at the surface, eyes wide or glassy, and may appear to be climbing an invisible ladder. There’s rarely any noise.

What to do

+  Pull them from the water immediately and call 111

+  If unresponsive or not breathing, begin CPR straight away. Press hard and fast in the centre of the chest and give rescue breaths

+  If conscious and breathing, keep them warm and calm

+  Watch closely for the next 24 hours for coughing, increased work of breathing, or changes in behaviour, and see a doctor urgently

FINAL THOUGHTS

You are your child’s first responder, your calm actions make all the difference. Summer is about sunshine, laughter, and family memories – a bit of preparation keeps it that way.

Knowing what to look for and how to respond transforms panic into confidence. When you’re prepared, you don’t just keep your child safe, you stay calm enough to enjoy the moment, knowing you can handle whatever comes your way.

Charlotte and Teresa are senior clinical paediatric ICU nurses and owners of & Breathe First Aid, teaching immersive baby and child first aid courses to families. Motivated by seeing poor outcomes and preventable injuries in the PICU, they have a shared has a passion for helping families learn effective CPR and how to keep their little ones safe. Visit andbreathefirstaid.co.nz to book a course online or in person.