After an arduous winter with snow and freezing temperatures , the return of summer means children will once again be spending endless hours outdoors , participating in sports and games . Although the time in between school yearsis by nature carefree and liberating , ensuring children’s safety during the summer is a challenge to parents and physicians alike .

As part of a series of parent education programs offered by Eastern Connecticut Health Network staff , Dr . Angela N . Moemeka , an ECHN pediatrician in Coventry , presented a lecture entitled “ Summertime Safety” at Booth and Dimock Memorial Library on Wednesday , May 21 .

Basic knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation was cited by Moemeka as the most important thing for every person to know . “ Being comfortable doing CPR is vitally important , because studies show that bystanders and first responders have a significant impact on people who are suffering cardiac arrest , ” she said .

A CPR certification course is offered through the American Heart Association and ECHN , and there is even a “ CPR Anytime” at-home program offered by the American Heart Association through its Web site , www . cpranytime . org .

Other topics discussed at the lecture included water safety , especially for children and toddlers around pools , ponds and lakes , sun safety and information about insect and tick bites .

“ A sun tan is a sun burn , and it can still damage the skin , ” Moemeka said . “ The whole reason to protect the skin is to prevent skin cancer , which is the result of accumulated damage over a lifetime , ” she said . Sunscreen rated SPF-15 is satisfactory for most people when reapplied every two hours , except for those with high-risk or sensitive skin , Moemeka said .

On ticks , comforting advice was offered to those worried about contracting Lyme Disease , which was discovered in Eastern Connecticut . “ Even if a tick has Lyme Disease , it does mean that the person is going to get Lyme , ” she said . “ Having a commercial test to see if the tick that youpull off of yourback has Lyme is fine to do , but understand that it does not mean that youhave the disease also . ”

Momemeka said that the three most important points in her lecture might seem intuitive , but because they are so basic , they are also the easiest to forget or become lax with . “ They are to know infant and child CPR , protect yourskin from sun and insects and never swim alone , ” she said .

The majority of attendees at the lecture were international exchange students in an au pair program under the leadership of local coordinator Christine Fear . The au pairs , from Finland , Germany , Colombia , Peru , Thailand , Slovakia and Mexico , ranged in ages from 19 and 26 and provide childhood care and services to regional families .

“ Every month , I hold a meeting to get the au pairs together , ” said Fear . “ A few times per year, I also hold safety meetings – this season I chose the EHCN’s summer safety class as a great way to remind au pairs of the need for bug spray , sunscreen and water safety . It reinforces the safety steps that they already know and introduces them to viruses and diseases that can be transmitted through bug bites – some that may not be prevalent in their home countries – like Lyme Disease . ”

Moemeka indicated that she might be willing to continue to work with the au pairs , and with Fear , in providing more information .