Summer Essentials Kit
For many families, summer is a time for fun, travel, and sunshine but it also has its own set of challenges that require preparation and prevention. With some careful planning and coordination, you can make sure your family’s vacation isn’t interrupted by sunburn, bug bites, or stings.
Here’s what you need to create the ultimate summer essentials kit for the whole family.
Sunscreen
First and foremost, you need to be stocked up on sunscreen. Keep an extra bottle around so you can make sure you never run out because is a major problem. According to the , about 90% of nonmelanoma forms of skin cancer are linked to sun exposure.
We always recommend , rather than chemical products. Whereas chemicals are absorbed into the skin (within 30 seconds, at that), mineral sunscreen sits on top of the skin.
Be sure to use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 (sun protection factor), but preferably 30. Remember that a higher SPF number does not increase the number of hours you can go without reapplying. The SPF rating is a measure of the factor by which the sunscreen can block the ultraviolet rays (UV) the sun emits.
Regardless of your SPF rating, be sure to reapply every 2 hours, especially if you sweat during that period of time, or have been swimming. Don’t forget to pay extra attention to the back of your body, such as the neck, ears, and backs of the legs, in addition to your scalp.
Hats
One of the simplest ways to protect the scalp and face from harmful UV rays is to wear a hat. Ideally, you should wear a hat with a brim that goes entirely around the hat to block the sun from reaching your ears and neck. A baseball cap will only protect your scalp and face.
Additionally, something to keep in mind for hats (and clothing and swimsuits) is that the is called UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). While any article of clothing is better than none, clothes with a UPF rating will be more effective at blocking UV rays. This is particularly important for babies, who have extremely sensitive skin and will burn much quicker.
Aloe
Aloe is a good way to soothe and cool skin after sun exposure. It can sometimes help cut down on peeling.
Bug Spray
Bug spray is an important part of any summer essentials kit because it repels mosquitos and . While many controversial claims have been made about the , it’s extremely effective and has been approved by the EPA for use in people of (almost) all ages.
It’s best to keep infants covered with clothing and away from biting insects. But if you find yourself in a buggy situation with your baby, spray bug-repellant onto your hand and apply to the child to prevent them from inhaling the bug spray or getting it in their eyes. DEET is not currently recommended for newborns. A very large, cotton gauze scarf can be used to keep insects away from your head and neck and is always useful for covering baby carriers and strollers as needed.
Generally, bug spray does not need to be reapplied unless your skin has gotten wet. Wearing long sleeves and pants is still recommended, particularly if you’re hiking in woods or tall grass, or are outside at night. While this attire may be less than ideal in hot summer months, it’s better than being bitten by insects that could be carrying any number of diseases. It’s a good idea to keep a change of lightweight clothes in your summer essentials kit, as well.
Lip Balm with SPF
People often forget that the skin on their lips can also get burned. In fact, this skin is very sensitive and thin, making it more susceptible to burning. Keeping lip balm with an SPF in it is one of the easiest ways to protect your lips in the summer. Of course, wearing a hat that shades your face is another good way to block UV rays.
Bottled Water
is more common in summer months because of the heat, so it’s very important to keep water with you as you play, hike, run, and generally enjoy the outdoors. Bottles of water are also very helpful in tending to minor wounds when running water is not available.
Bear in mind that (while they’re very convenient when you’re on-the-go) plastic water bottles shouldn’t be kept in hot spaces — definitely not in a car. that when plastic heats up to 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), a significant amount of chemicals (like antimony [Sb] and bisphenol A [BPA]) are released, which has the potential to blend with the water, which you will then ingest.
If you know you’ll have access to fresh, clean water in your travels, it’s a good idea to bring a reusable, stainless steel water bottle that you can keep refilling with drinking water.
First Aid Kit
One of the most important things to have fully stocked and ready for the summer is a . People (especially kids) are more active and are likely to wear clothing that doesn’t cover as much of their skin (tank tops, shorts, skirts, etc). Here’s what you need to have in your first aid kit.
Remember to periodically check your supplies and replenish as needed. If you’re traveling with it, be sure to do so before every trip.
- Band aids – Carry an assortment of sizes (if possible) in order to be prepared for any kind of injury.
- Antibiotic Ointment – For minor cuts and scrapes — especially out and about when hand washing is more difficult to do — a simple antibiotic ointment can help prevent the cut from getting infected. When you get home, or to a place with a sink, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, and then apply a new band aid with more ointment.
- Gauze – In the event of a deeper or more serious cut that bandaids won’t cover, gauze is the next best thing until medical professionals can be sought. Be sure to keep the gauze sealed in its original packaging to prevent contamination.
- Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac Lotion – Whether a spray or a lotion (such as Calamine), this type of treatment can help alleviate the itching, rash, and discomfort that comes with poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Generally speaking, it’s best to wear gloves and long sleeves to prevent the toxins from touching your skin if you’re going to be in the woods. Some people go so far as to tuck their pants into their socks and their shirts into their gloves, especially if they know they’ll be pulling poisonous plants from the ground.
- Athlete’s Foot Medication – Angela Patterson, Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer for recommends keeping athlete’s foot medication in your summer essentials kit, particularly for active families. Not only is athlete’s foot contagious, but it’s incredibly annoying and can easily put a damper on your vacation.
- Baby Wipes – Baby wipes are extremely versatile. They are coated with a little bit of soap and water, which means that in a pinch, they can be used to clean any number of things, such as a small cut. Or wipe away dirt to see the extent of a scrape. A travel pack of baby wipes is a great addition to a summer essentials kit, but remember that they will not substitute for good old soap and water. When you have access to soap and water again, be sure to use them.
- Painkillers – Minor injuries can be more common in the summer when people are more active — not to mention headaches and sore muscles. Keeping some ibuprofen or acetaminophen (in a child-proof container) in your first aid kit is a great idea you’ll thank yourself for later.
- Hand Sanitizer – No summer essentials kit would be complete without hand sanitizer. Again, remember that hand sanitizer is meant to be used in a pinch when hand washing is unavailable. When you have access to soap and water again, wash your hands.
- Epinephrine Auto-Injector – If someone in your family has a life-threatening allergy (such as nuts, seafood, or bees), chances are you already keep an epinephrine auto-injector on hand at all times. Make sure this ends up in your first aid kit if you are traveling, especially if you’re going to an unfamiliar place. Patterson recommends that children should also be trained to use it in emergencies.
- Essential Oils or Other Natural Insect Repellants – If you’re looking to reduce your family’s use of DEET, a few may be helpful to keep in your summer essentials kit. The most common is citronella oil, which is extracted from a citronella plant. This is how citronella candles are made. As always, when using essential oils, be sure to use a carrier oil so you don’t damage the skin.
Being Prepared for Emergencies
Packing a summer essentials kit is all about planning and anticipating things that could possibly go wrong while traveling, enjoying a staycation with family, or exploring new areas near home. Patterson has some great tips for summer travels and treatment of common injuries and ailments.
Swimmer’s Ear
“Swimming causes water to collect in the outer ear canal where bacteria naturally grows. When the moisture doesn’t dry, fungal or bacterial infections can develop causing intense pain and itching. If this occurs, see a health care provider for evaluation,” Patterson says. In some cases, she says that practitioners will have to prescribe an antibiotic.
But she has a tip to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place: “Try mixing a 50/50 alcohol and white vinegar solution and pour several drops into each ear after swimming. Let it sit five minutes before draining. Then wave a blow dryer on low heat over the ear.” If someone in your family is prone to swimmer’s ear, this may be a good thing to keep in the back of your mind.
Jellyfish Stings
Jellyfish stings are an unfortunate possibility of beach vacations. Their stings are painful, but mostly harmless as long as they’re cleaned and cared for properly. “If your child is stung by North Atlantic jellyfish (typically visible), rinse the area with salt water and clean the area three times a day,” says Patterson.
“Hydrocortisone creams are effective and the sore should be covered with a loose bandage. For sea lice stings (microscopic jellyfish) occurring in larger areas, vinegar or a baking soda mixture brings relief (but do not use the two together). Calamine lotion helps with drying the affected area.”
Insect Stings
Patterson also provides some expert advice for insect stings. “When a bee stings, gently scrape the area with a credit card edge to remove the stinger (using tweezers may release more venom),” she says. “Clean the skin with rubbing alcohol and apply ice.”
However, if significant swelling occurs swiftly, or the person is having trouble breathing, this is an anaphylactic allergic reaction, for which immediate medical assistance is required.
Getting Ready for Summer
While no one wants to think about all the possible things that could go wrong on a vacation before they even leave the house, doing so can help things run more smoothly, and mitigate any minor inconveniences along the way.
Remember that, like any other positive or responsible behavior you’d like your children to follow, the best way to get them to go along with it is to model that good behavior yourself. Make sure you’re protecting your skin, putting on sunscreen, using bug spray, drinking water throughout the day, and taking care of yourself as best you can.
Kids will sometimes put up a fight, but setting the expectations ahead of time that they need to reapply sunscreen every two hours — and drink some water while they’re out of the water — can help make that process a bit easier.
Are you interested in learning more about sun safety and summer essentials? Check out these articles with additional pro tips: