Keeping Kids Safe This Summer, with Dr. Nate Parker

School’s out and summer provides new opportunities for both adventure and danger. That’s why we’ve reached out to Dr. Nate Parker, medical director of Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta’s emergency department and father of two, for tips on keeping kids out of the emergency room.

It’s important to remember that kids will be kids.

Some risks are acceptable in the name of summer fun. “I really don’t try to discourage them from climbing trees,” says Dr. Parker. “I encourage kids to be kids and I don’t really mind them getting hurt on the playground. That just happens. It means they’re living a good life.” He says playground injuries are tough to avoid, but rarely serious, and there are a lot of risks that can be mitigated with some basic precautions.

Keeping your kids safe this summer.

“You can really get hurt doing anything. Mountain biking, skiing . . .wearing a helmet in those situations, that’s the most important thing.” With the rise in popularity of hiking and biking, Dr. Parker is seeing more injuries from these activities. But having the right footwear and protective gear can make a big difference.

Water safety is essential to keeping kids healthy and out of the emergency room. “I’m a huge advocate for swim lessons,” Dr. Parker says. And it’s best to start as early as possible. He shared an experience with a friend whose children had swim lessons from an early age. “Their 1-year-old fell in the pool. I was rushing as fast as I could.” But his friend stopped him. “‘Just wait,’” he was told. Dr. Parker exclaims, “Sure enough, the kid went down face first, rotated around, flipped up and was able to just lay there and fully self-rescue. It was one of the most impressive things I’d ever seen.”

Staying safe today and in the future.

What’s one preventative measure Dr. Parker can’t recommend enough? Sunscreen. Because it isn’t just tenderness, blistering and peeling you’ve got to worry about. “It’s always repetitive burns that start leading to skin cancer,” he reminds us.

A flag on the play.

“I think you’ll find a lot of doctors will never put their kids in football, just from the amount of serious brain injuries we see,” says Dr. Parker. Concussions lead to permanent brain damage when they stack and can take over a year to heal, so caution is key.

Preparing your curious explorers for the backyard and beyond.

The North State is ideal for foraging, but this can be dangerous. However, the best advice hasn’t changed much over the years.

Firstly, stick to what you know. “There are a lot of things that look really similar,” Dr. Parker reminds us, so going with what’s familiar can keep your kids safe. If you’re looking to expand your potential haul, make sure your guidebook isn’t AI generated, and definitely seek out local foraging classes.

Whether they’re foraging or frolicking, teach kids to not eat random berries. And a quick tutorial on how to spot poison oak, ivy and sumac is essential for outdoor play. Since poison oak employs many growing strategies (like vines, woody growth and ground cover, to name a few), it can look like a lot of things. Being able to recognize it can spare you an itchy indoor summer.

When you don’t need to take your kids to the emergency room.

For actual emergencies, you should absolutely take your kids to the ER. But not every sniffle means major illness. If your little one is 3 months or under, definitely take them to the hospital for every fever, every time. But what if they’re older? Dr. Parker thinks you shouldn’t panic. “Viral illnesses don’t really need to be seen in the emergency department,” he explains. “A fever is your body’s natural response to fighting off any infection. And once you get past the age of 6 months, the vast majority of illnesses that children have are just going to be viral infections that run their course.” In most cases, he says, no intervention is needed.

Set up primary care with a doctor you trust.

Making sure your child has a primary care physician (PCP) or pediatrician can give you a direct line to someone who can step in with evaluation, wisdom or even medication, if needed. This resource helps you avoid exposing your already sick kid to whatever is bouncing around a hospital. But when reaching out for medical advice, it’s better to explain symptoms and listen to recommendations, rather than insisting on specific care.

“There’s this big misconception that any time a kid has a viral illness, they need antibiotics. So we get a lot of parents asking for antibiotics, when in fact, antibiotics will actually probably make the situation worse,” says Dr. Parker. He says he doesn’t worry about fevers under 105 (outside of the newborn phase).

Help your pint-sized patient feel better faster with an appropriately dosed children’s Motrin or Tylenol while they’re immune system goes to work. You can even administer every three hours, Dr. Parker says, as long as you alternate between the two. Following your PCP’s advice for colds and flu will definitely take some pain out of the process, both for parents, both for parents and the kids in their care.

So, when should seek medical attention for your sick child? Dr. Parker says, take your child in if their behavior changes greatly, if they’re not drinking or peeing as much as they should, if they’re highly disoriented or develop a rash. And, of course, any fever of 105 degrees or over or, he reiterates, any fever at all if they’re under 3 months.

What are other good reasons to take your child to the ER?

Fevers aren’t the only reason people visit seek emergency medical attention. Lacerations, breaks, unresponsiveness and prolonged confusion top the list, along with fear of appendicitis, tetanus, rabies or poison. If you’re unsure, don’t be a stranger. Better safe than sorry.

Dr. Parker understands that fear is the leading reason parents bring kids to the ER and he’s happy to provide reassurance. “My favorite conversations are those where I get to tell someone nothing’s really wrong,” he admits. “I never want to discourage someone from coming into the ER if they have concerns.” Between Mercy Medical Center’s impressive resources, quick response and compassionate care, they’re a go-to destination for people in need, from up to two hours away. “We are the last safety net, if something is going on.” Dr. Parker’s team takes his patients’ trust and troubles seriously and they’re dedicated to providing the best care possible to the community.