St. Patrick’s Day: Keeping kids safe during the parade

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade brings out thousands of people each year. With so many people it is important to keep safety top of mind especially when it comes to the children.

Dr. Ashley Cheek is a pediatrician at the Memorial Health Dwaine and Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah.

“It is an important thing to start teaching kids is stranger danger,” Dr. Cheek explained. “Crowds are a big place like that and parades, large events. As early as four-years old you can teach the child their full name, their address and phone number so they can repeat that back to a police officer or someone who can help.”

Dr. Cheek said if the child has trouble remembering that information, there are ID cards or bracelets you can give them or even washable safety tattoos with your contact information.

The celebration is a long event so you want to make sure you are keeping an eye on the little ones in case they get tired or dehydrated.

“Make sure that your kids have water available. Water is the best form of hydration for children and those are for kiddos of all ages. Babies don’t need that much water no more than 2-4 ounces in a day for the younger babies. Making sure they have their water and popsicles with them and they are good,” Dr. Cheek said.

With thousands of people expected to attend experts say to make sure your dress kids in bright colors or reflective stitching to make them easier to find if they get lost.

“You can put them in matching bright clothes take a picture that day so you know exactly what they look like so God forbid there is an emergency, you can just show that picture to the authorities,” Dr. Cheek said.

Don’t forget the sunscreen!

“For our little infants less than 6 months old the most important thing is making sure they have hats on to protect their skin from the sun. Loose light clothing that covers all their skin up so it can’t be exposed to the sun. Then for the face making sure you are using an SPF for the kids (SPF 15-50) and putting that on the face. For the older kids, lather it everywhere once they are over six months. Stroller umbrellas are excellent too,” Dr. Cheek said.

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