As summer winds down and families begin preparing for a new school year, keeping kids healthy, safe and on track is a top priority for parents. According to Dr. Radhini Bell, a pediatrician at UTMB Health’s Pediatric Primary Care, this season is the perfect time to refocus on wellness, from summer safety to school readiness.

Tips for summer safety

Dr. Bell says several common summer issues put children at risk, especially during Houston’s extreme heat. Here’s what to watch for and how to stay safe:
  • Dehydration:
  1. Encourage regular water intake, not just during activities.
  2. Aim for pale yellow or clear urine.
  • Heat exhaustion:
  1. Watch for signs such as vomiting, fatigue, excessive sweating and dizziness.
  2. Ensure children hydrate before outdoor activities, not just during.
  • Sunburn:
  1. For infants under 6 months, avoid direct sunlight and use hats, suncovers and light, breathable clothing.
  2. For older kids, apply mineral-based sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every one to two hours.
  • Water safety:
  1. Always supervise children around water—ideally, be in the water with them.
  2. Use life jackets and age-appropriate flotation devices.
  3. If you own a pool, install fences, locks and alarms to prevent accidents.
“Drowning incidents spike in the summer,” Dr. Bell said. “Even a few moments of distraction can have serious consequences. Safety needs to be a priority before it’s too late.”

Back to school health

As families gear up for a return to the classroom, it's the perfect time to check in on your child's health and wellness. Dr. Bell encourages parents to schedule annual wellness exams during the summer, not just for vaccines, but for a full picture of a child’s development.

“It’s not just about when your child is sick,” Dr. Bell said. “Well visits help us check on development, behavior, puberty and screen for issues before they become bigger problems.”

UTMB Pediatrics can help families get school-ready with:
  • Annual wellness checks
  • Vaccines
  • Sports physicals
  • School and camp medical forms
  • Behavior and mental health services
When kids do get sick, as they often do once school starts, UTMB Pediatrics offers same-day sick appointments to help your child feel better fast and minimize missed school days. To schedule an appointment, visit MyChart, the online scheduling page, or call 281-338-5437.

Easing the transition back to school

Re-establishing routines is key to a smooth start. Dr. Bell suggests beginning the shift about three weeks before school starts.

“That means gradually adjusting bedtime and wake-up times,” Dr. Bell said. “It’s not just for the kids. Parents benefit from getting organized too.”

Dr. Bell also recommends some learning/concentration-based tasks to be done routinely over the summer to keep the mind sharp. Children should not go three months without any sort of learning or structure. Even a couple pages of an age-appropriate work book and reading a few times a week should help in the long-run and with transition back to school.

Mental health is another consideration.

“Watch for drastic changes in mood, withdrawal or impulsive behavior,” Dr. Bell said. “We offer screenings that give us a chance to get the parents’ and child’s perspectives.”

To learn more about Pediatric Primary Care, located at 333 Texas Ave., Webster, visit the webpage here.

To learn more about how to get a healthy start to back to school, visit the back to school resource page.

The above story was produced by Community Impact's Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.