GCDS Presentation for Lower School Students, over several years (most recently 4th graders 5/16/2018)

1. Summer Safety!
Dr. Katy
May 16, 2018

2.  Avoid the sun when you can: find a shady spot!
 The sun is strongest 10 AM – 4 PM
 Wear sun protective clothing
 Hat, sun-shirt or rash-guard, & sunglasses
 Wear sunscreen: reapply at least every 2 hours
 Don’t spray sunscreen near the face
 An adult should help you!
To have “Fun in the Sun”
you must protect yourself!

3.  Drink every 20 minutes during sports
activities!
 Water is fine at first … but if you are playing
for an hour or more, you may need a sports
drink like Gatorade!
Watch out for too much heat!

4.  Learn how to swim!
 Swim only when an adult is
watching you
 Floaties are fun but do not prevent
all troubles
 Never dive unless an adult or
lifeguard says it is safe to do so
Water Safety

5. Wear your life jacket
at all times!
Boating Safety

6.  Stop at all intersections and look both ways!
 Never ride at dusk or dark: it is difficult for cars to
see you
 Always have an adult with you
Bike & Scooter Safety

7.  Good nutrition is based on 3 important things:
 Choose the right foods!
 Choose a good balance of foods: variety!
 Choose the right amount (or portion size)!
Good Nutrition

8.  Eat your protein!
 Fish is GREAT! Avoid fried foods.
 Eat your veggies and fruits
 Make your plate a rainbow.
 Eat whole grains!
 Don’t just eat the “white foods”
 Limit junk foods
And don’t forget!

9.  Exercise and stay fit
 Play outside at least an hour
every day
 Have fun!
Stay fit!

10. Deer Ticks
&
Lyme Disease

12. The “Participants”
in Lyme disease
The bacteria which
causes Lyme
disease is Borrelia
burgdorferi
The deer is the
“reservoir”or host
of the bacteria.
The tick is the
“vector” that carries
the bacteria and
infects humans.

13. Deer ticks are small!

14.  Shaded areas
 Moist areas
 Weedy areas
 Wood piles
 Stone walls
 Ground cover
 Leaf Litter
Where Ticks Live

15.  Sunny areas
 Clear pathways
 Well-mowed lawns in the sun!
Ticks Do Not Like …

16. Dressing Safely
 Wear light-colored
clothing
 Cover as much of your
body as possible
 Wear long pants
 Wear a cap or hat
 Wear a long sleeve shirt
 Tuck your pants into
your socks

17. Prevention:
Insect Repellent
 Insect repellents really
help prevent ticks from
biting and can kill them.
 Only an adult spray them!
 Repellents, like sunscreen,
need to be applied again
after a few hours.
 Some sprays can only be
used on clothing, some
sprays can be used on skin
 NEVER spray your face!

18. Prevention
Check your clothing for
ticks!
Shower soon after being
outdoors!

19.  Under the arms
 In and around the ears
 Inside belly button
 Back of the knees
 In and around the hair
 Between the legs
 Around the waist
Prevention:
Check your body for ticks!

20. If you find a tick on yourself…
Don’t Panic!

21. If you find yourself bitten...
Here’s what to do!!
 Find an adult to help you.
 The sooner the tick is
removed, the better.
 The tick should be
removed carefully by an
adult.
 Your parent and
pediatrician will make sure
they watch you for any
signs of Lyme disease so
you can be treated with
medicine.

22. Tick Removal:
How to do it right!
 Only an adult should
remove a tick!
 Use tweezers
 Pull out slowly and
gently
 Wash the area with
warm, soapy water and
apply antibacterial
ointment

23. The Lyme Rash:
Erythema migrans
 The Lyme rash looks like a
“bull’s eye”
 Rash usually starts 3-30 days
after the tick bite
 The rash gradually expands
and can reach up to 12 inches
across
 The rash may feel warm to
the touch, but it is not itchy
or painful
 The rash can appear
anywhere on the body and
spread
 Lyme is treatable with
medicine!

24. Let’s review what you’ve learned
about ticks and Lyme Disease
 Know where ticks live – shady, moist areas (they don’t like the
sun)
 Wear protective clothing and insect repellent when you are
hiking or spending time in areas where ticks like to live
 Know where ticks like to bite and have your parents check you
for ticks when you shower or take a bath every night
 If you find a tick on you .... don’t panic! Find an adult to help
you remove it.

25. Share what you have learned with
others!
Now that you have
learned about deer
ticks and Lyme, share
this with your family
and help prevent Lyme
disease at home.

26. Be proud of what you have learned!