STHS Children’s Safe Summer Expo annual event gives children, parents and caregivers important advice

SOUTH TEXAS HEALTH SYSTEM CHILDREN’S PROVIDES IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS TO CHILDREN, PARENTS & CAREGIVERS DURING ITS RECENT SAFE SUMMER EXPO

Nearly 20 community organizations joined in STHS Children’s mission to keep kids safe this summer by providing important safety tips and highlight resources available to parents & caregivers

From bike riding, swimming and playground activities to fishing, camping and cookouts, the summer season offers families the opportunity spend quality time together.

But as the temperatures rise during the summer months, so does the imminent risk of accidents and illnesses for children.

From the threat of heat-related illnesses and food poisoning due to scorching heat to insect bites and trampoline accidents, summer can bring several potential dangers for kids.

Every year, about one million children are rushed to the emergency room between the months of June and August due to illnesses or injuries sustained, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with nearly 30% of ER visits involving children during the summer months.

“While anyone can sustain injuries during the summer, children are more likely to have accidents that require medical attention,” says Santos Cantu, MD, an emergency medicine and pediatric critical care medicine physician who serves as the medical director of the emergency department at STHS Children’s. “Once the school year ends, kids become more active and gain more free time while experiencing a significant change in supervision, putting them at higher risk of accidents and injuries.”

So, as part of its commitment to the communities it serves across the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas Health System Children’s hosted its second annual Safe Summer Expo on Saturday, June 7 in the facility’s main parking lot.

Intended to help parents and caregivers ensure their children’s safety during the summer months, the annual event featured the participation of nearly 20 South Texas Health System departments and facilities, local law enforcement agencies and community and safety organizations, including the Edinburg Police Department, the Edinburg Fire Department, Texas Organ Sharing Alliance and Med-Care EMS, all arming children, parents and caregivers with important advice to keep kids out of harm’s way.

“While summer may bring fun and opportunities for enjoying time outdoors, it’s important to prioritize safety,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Children’s. “By being proactive and taking simple precautions like protecting your kids from the sun’s harmful UV rays, ensuring they stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and being mindful of any summer activities that can pose risks, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for everyone.”

From water safety education, protecting young skin from extended sun exposure and avoiding bicycle and playground injuries to combatting mosquito attacks and preventing heat-related illnesses, this year’s Safe Summer

Expo highlighted the important role parents and caregivers play in protecting children and being prepared for the potential dangers kids face in the summer months.

“The STHS Children’s Safe Summer Expo really served as a one-stop shop for parents, providing us with important education and resources that we need to keep our kids safe during the summer,” says Jennifer Perez, a parent who brought her daughter to the event. “I feel more empowered with valuable knowledge and skills to help protect my child this summer. These days we never know when something might happen, but this event has helped me stay on guard and ready should something occur.”

By paying close attention to hazards and teaching kids about the importance of taking proper safety precautions, parents and caregivers can help their kids have a safe and fun summer.

“To ensure children’s safety during summer, parents and caregivers should be vigilant about heat exhaustion, hydration, sun protection, water safety and potential hazards like trampolines and playground equipment,” says Dr. Cantu. “They should actively supervise children at all times, whether at the playground or in and around water, and avoid leaving them unattended in a car.”

In the event of an emergency, count on STHS Children’s to provide round-the-clock emergency care. For nearly 20 years, the facility – home to the largest dedicated pediatric emergency room in the Rio Grande Valley – has provided specialized emergency care for children with a wide range of medical conditions and injuries. The ER features specially trained staff dedicated to working quickly and efficiently to care for children experiencing medical emergencies. To learn more about the facility’s emergency services, visit sthschildrens.com.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

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