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File photo by Raymond Janis

Putting the record straight

In response to Drew Biondo’s “A letter correction” in last week’s Letters to the Editor, I wholeheartedly stand by my declaration that “all elected trustees attended and sat at the dais,” regarding the town hall meeting about the East Beach bluff.

For the record, Drew Biondo was not elected. He was appointed. So yes, all elected trustees attended and sat at the dais.

Kathianne Snaden

Former Port Jeff Deputy Mayor

Port Jefferson 

 

Prom season is upon us

Prom season is upon us and there is probably no greater community tradition than the Port Jefferson Senior Prom. Since 1958, the senior prom has been a highly anticipated community event in our village. Valued partnerships with the school district, Village Hall, code enforcement and local businesses allow the Prom Committee to create a one-of-kind event not only for the senior class, but for the entire community.

We’ve been fortunate to have the extraordinary commitment of parents and community volunteers — some of whom have been volunteering with the prom for decades — to support us all along the way. Now, after a busy year of fundraising, creating, painting and constructing, we ae ready to build the prom! 

We begin Prom Build on Thursday, June 27, at 9 a.m. and will continue through Prom Night on Monday, July 1. We encourage community members to come lend a hand and take part in the transformation of the high school gym into an awe-inspiring venue, complete with custom designed vignettes, props and theatrical lighting. On July 1, we proudly show our creation to the public from 4-6 p.m., with the Drive-Up Procession and Red Carpet entrance following afterward. 

If you have never experienced the excitement of the Prom Build, we invite you to join in the amazing transformation of the high school. If you have volunteered at the prom before, we hope to see you and your friends again this year. The senior prom truly embodies the spirit of volunteerism and community, with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to carry on the beloved tradition that is the Port Jefferson Senior Prom. 

Paul Braile 

President, Port Jefferson 

Senior Prom

May day

Russian nuclear missiles from Cuba have targeted the very heart and soul of America and shall be more destructive than Pearl Harbor. 

“Lord, what fools these mortals be” (Shakespeare). God bless America

Leonard Henderson

Port Jefferson

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Batter up and give blood! Temple Beth El of Huntington, 660 Park Avenue, Huntington hosts a Community Blood Drive on Monday, July 1 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. All donors will receive a Mets T-shirt and a pair of NY Mets tickets (while supplies last). Prizes hold no cash value and are not transferable.

Please remember to eat, drink, and bring your ID with your name and photo. Appointments are preferred however walk-ins will be welcomed if space permits. Visit nybc.org/coronavirus for COVID-19 safety protocols. For more information or to make an appointment, email Robin Zucker at [email protected].

 

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The Ed Travers Band heads to Northport Public Library on July 2.
Dave Clive's Nawlins Funk Band heads to Northport Public Library on July 9.
Paige Patterson heads to Northport Public Library on July 16.
The Dedications head to Northport Public Library on July 23.
The Rustlers head to Northport Public Library on July 30.

Summer concerts return to Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport this July.  No registration is required. Seating will be provided, or you may bring a blanket and find a spot on the Library Courtyard lawn. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will take place on the rain date listed. Visit www.nenpl.org for updates.

Ed Travers Band 

Tuesday, July 2, 7:00 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday, July 3)

Come enjoy a taste of Margaritaville with one of Long Island’s premier Jimmy Buffet tribute bands.

Dave Clive’s Nawlins Funk Band 

Tuesday, July 9, 7:00 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday, July 10)

Experience the best of New Orleans party music from the 1950s to the sounds of today, featuring traditional rhythms combined with modern blues, jazz, and funk

‘Pure Joy’ with Paige Patterson 

Tuesday, July 16, 7:00 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday, July 17)

Restore your faith in the timeless power of music as you listen to songs from Sinatra to Santana, Bon Jovi to Broadway, ’70’s rock, classic soul, and much more.

The Dedications 

Tuesday, July 23, 7:00 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday, July 24)

Led by singer John Zollo, this vocal group performs ’50’s and ’60’s harmony, rock and roll, and ballads, as well as classic rock of the ’70s and ’80s, all with great musical accompaniment.

The Rustlers 

Tuesday, July 30, 7:00 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday, July 31)

This talented country band takes the stage to deliver an unforgettable evening of the best classic and contemporary country music.

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St. Catherine of Siena Hospital – ED Ribbon Cutting. Photo by Kristy Leibowitz

Catholic Health’s St. Catherine of Siena Hospital hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting for its $1 million Emergency Department (ED) renovation on June 21. The event was attended by Catholic Health executive leadership, hospital staff, as well as local elected officials and fire departments.

The $1 million renovation includes new treatment bays, as well as best-in-class healthcare technologies, a large and very comfortable ED waiting room, and an all-new and highly conducive registration and triage suite. The ED renovation also includes a new ambulance bay that will help expedite patient transfers and facilitate the movement from EMS into its state-of-the-art emergency department. 

Most recently, cardiovascular services of St. Francis Heart Center are now on premises, working hand-in-hand with the hospital’s emergency care team.

“The hospital’s ED renovation will greatly enhance patient experience and allow for seamless emergency department medical care,” said St. Catherine of Siena Hospital President Declan Doyle. “We are extremely grateful for the philanthropic support we received, with a lead philanthropic gift of $500,000 from the Banyan Tree Roots Foundation and matching funds from major donors. The residents of Smithtown and surrounding areas should feel confident in knowing that they will receive top-notch emergency care at St. Catherine’s.

St. Catherine is an acute care, community hospital offering a wide range of clinical specialties including general surgery and surgical subspecialties, such as colorectal, urology, bariatric, orthopedic/spine surgery, breast surgery and neurosurgery. St. Catherine’s also offers acute inpatient adult medical care, with subspecialty care services including cardiology, neurology, stroke, infectious diseases, gastroenterology, and nephrology. Other services include diagnostic imaging, cardiac imaging, endoscopy, laboratory, wound care and pathology.

 

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Midnight

Welcome to the 30th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home.

Walter

Meet Walter

A retired accountant, this fourteen- year-old Poodle mix is Walter. He’s been busy crunching the numbers (and a few treats!), estimating his chances of finding a forever home before the dog days of summer. With assets worth barking about, Walter has good leadership skills along with years of experience as a best friend and loyal confidant. Noble and wise, he offers sound advice and high yield dividends as well as some pretty sweet canine kisses! Stop by Little Shelter and you’ll see that Walter (and his balance sheet) adds up to a great choice and a reminder that adopting will always land you in the “plus” column! 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Grandma

Meet Grandma

”A Grandma is a hug waiting to happen.” This fourteen year old Terrier mix at Little Shelter in Huntington is a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend, emphasizing the importance of living life to the fullest while sharing it with someone special. With all the best qualities of a family matriarch, namely patience, generosity and unconditional love, she would be a great addition to most households.

Seniors are fascinating storytellers and invaluable sources of wisdom, who also act as confidants and sounding boards for all your thoughts and ideas. If you’re looking for a good listener, as well as a loyal companion, we have the perfect answer. Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a Grandma! 631-368-8770, ext. 2

Bowie

Meet Bowie

This handsome 1-year-old Siberian husky is up for adoption at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter. Charming, and handsome with two different colored eyes, Bowie is a head-turner! He adores meeting new people and pups! While he’s a bundle of joy, Bowie could benefit from some basic manners training to help him become the amazing gentleman he’s destined to be. He’s ready to join you on all your adventures, whether it’s hiking, jogging, or playing fetch in the backyard. He’s looking for a family who shares his enthusiasm for life and can provide him with plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Bowie would do well with children 14 and up, and potentially other female dogs with a meet and greet. He is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped ready to step into his new life.Will that be with you? 631-451-6953

Bonnie Luna

Meet Bonnie Luna

Hi, I am Bonnie Luna! I came from the Bahamas, so I am considered a Potcake! I have been at Kent Animal Shelter  for a long time. I get a little nervous and uneasy around new people, so it’s going to take a little while for you and I to become best friends and trust each other. I can become a very loyal furbaby if you give me a chance. Just ask the kennel workers about me and they will tell you once the bond of trust is there, it will be wonderful. It will take a little while for that to happen so you would have to come visit me regularly first, but I promise it will happen if you give me a chance. Thank you for learning a little bit about me. I hope to see you soon. 631-727-5731, ext. 1

Midnight

Meet Midnight

This beautiful nine-year-old boy was surrended to the Smithtown Animal Shelter on May 24 due to a change in the living situation for his pet parent. He is a little shy at first, but very sweet and low-key and would do best in a quiet home. He has lived with a large breed dog and is declawed. 631-360-757

Free adoptions event

Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter, 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven offers free adoptions on July 1, 2 and 3 as part of its “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Adoptions: Let their freedom ring” promotion. Adoptions include free neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, and FIV/FELV test. For more information, call 631-451-6950

Rescue is a lifestyle. Adopt, don’t shop.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of July 25.

Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq

 

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Suffolk County Legislators Steven Englebright, right, and Rob Trotta, left, honor Keri Moschetto as a healthcare hero at the Legislature’s June 25 General Meeting. Photo from Steven Englebright’s office

Suffolk County Legislators Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) and Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) joined forces to honor Keri Moschetto, a licensed practical nurse, at the Legislature’s General Meeting on Tuesday, June 25.

All 18 County Legislators were asked to choose a healthcare hero to recognize at the monthly meeting. While Moschetto, an East Setauket resident, lives in Legislator Englebright’s district, as a nurse and unit coordinator at The Smithtown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, she works in Legislator Trotta’s district.

In addition to being honored for her everyday responsibilities, the LPN was recognized for an act of bravery.  

“Keri went above and beyond her call of duty earlier this year when upon hearing a Code Red signal at her workplace, she ran from the second floor to a first-floor room, where a fire was reported,” Englebright said. “Risking her own safety, she pulled a patient out of a smoke-filled room.”

Moschetto’s responsibilities at the center include a variety of duties, such as caring for 22 post-acute care patients and managing the nurses and certified nursing assistants assigned to her unit. She also maintains care plans, monitors labs, participates in family meetings, acts as a liaison between doctors and families/patients and coordinates MD visits.

According to her colleagues, the clinical venue continues to be a challenging place to care for patients, especially during and after the pandemic. The LPN has easily handled all these complex and difficult tasks with humility.

Dr. John Folan, the Smithtown Center’s medical director, said of Moschetto, “In all my career as a physician, providing care to innumerable members of our community, there are few, if any nurses, who compare with Keri’s skill, work ethic, and, most importantly, her compassion. She uniquely demonstrates medical knowledge much beyond her training.”

 

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Julia Bennett and Jacob Wright were honored on June 21. Photo by Donna Newman

By Donna Newman

The congregation of Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook held a special Friday night service June 21st to honor two congregants who will soon commence/continue rabbinic training at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR).

Julia Bennett and Jacob Wright both began their Jewish education in what is now The Rabbi Harvey Witman Religious School, named for its long serving, now retired, principal.  

Temple Isaiah’s three rabbis: Rabbis Emeriti Adam Fisher and Stephen Karol, and current Rabbi Joshua Gray sponsored a festive “oneg” (refreshments and camaraderie) following the service. 

Stephen Weitzman, a long-time teacher at the school, and recently retired principal, said it was extremely rare to have two students from a congregation in rabbinical school at the same time. “It is a credit to Adam, Steve and Harvey,” said Weitzman. “They were role models who imbued the religious school with creative learning experiences.”

Rabbi Karol said that it was the timing of their acceptances that made this rare event even more remarkable. “Not just two future rabbis from our congregation,” said Rabbi Karol, “but they found out they were admitted in the same week.”

Julia Bennett’s interest in Jewish education began in 6th grade and grew, said Weitzman.

“When she was in high school, [she] and I co-taught Synagogue Skills to fifth and sixth graders,” Weitzman said. “Always prepared, she often did additional background and planning [to create] a successful lesson.”

At Clark University, where she received her undergraduate degree, the capstone project in her self-designed major was the writing of a new Passover Haggadah. It added a previously unsung female heroine — Moses’ sister Miriam — who enabled the Israelites to have water as they wandered in the desert. A “Miriam Seder” added to the holiday’s observance at Temple Isaiah.

Julia has already completed the three-year Reform Judaism Educator Program at HUC–JIR. She is currently Assistant Director of Education at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Religious School in New York City. She will now complete her education in the HUC-JIR Rabbinical School, with ordination in 2027 and a career as a rabbi-educator as her goal.

This was Jacob Wright’s last Shabbat at Temple Isaiah before he heads to Israel to begin study at the HUC–JIR Rabbinical School. The first year of the program is taught at the school’s campus in Jerusalem. After that he will return to the New York campus for the next four or five years. He and Steve Weitzman have been Torah study partners — and friends — for a long while. In a letter of recommendation Weitzman expressed his personal feelings about Jacob’s potential and abilities.

“I have often heard him express a deep understanding of the Biblical character(s) we were studying along with an empathy for what they might have been thinking and reacting to,” said Weitzman. “Jacob often displays a level of wisdom and compassion that far exceed his chronological age.”

Jacob worked for the Jewish Community Center (JCC) Association of North America. He was a Program Associate at the Sheva Center for Innovation in Early Childhood Jewish Education and Engagement. He is excited to begin training for his next goal: ordination in 2029 and becoming a pulpit rabbi with a congregation of his own.

“Celebrating Julia and Jacob, we see Temple Isaiah as a holy community where Judaism is not only alive, but thriving and essential,” said Rabbi Gray. “In an ever more secular society, the value of religion may be dismissed. Isaiah’s spirit brings out the best of religious tradition and breathes in life. These two future rabbis inspire our congregants to be proud Jewish citizens.”

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Eden Campbell, center, won the top spot among kindergarten projects. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/BNL
Eden Campbell
Milan Patel
Advika Arun
Isla Cone
Jude Roseto
Luke Dinsman
Owen Stone

More than 250 students from 65 Suffolk County schools entered science projects in the 2024 Elementary School Science Fair hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory on June 8.

Students used the scientific method to explore all kinds of questions about their favorite things and the world around them. The annual fair organized by Brookhaven Lab’s Office of Educational Programs celebrated and showcased all projects submitted, ranging from finding the best detangler for Barbie dolls’ hair to using a hand-crafted wind tunnel to test wing shapes for the best lift.

“Our judges enjoyed reading through the projects and were impressed with questions, ideas, and designs,” Amanda Horn, a Brookhaven Lab administrator who coordinated the science fair, said before announcing the winning projects. “We certainly have some future scientists and engineers here today.”

Local teachers and Lab staff volunteered as judges to pick the top spots and honorable mentions for each grade level, from kindergarten to sixth grade. The competition also included a Judges’ Choice award for creative questions.

Students who earned first place in their grade level received medals and ribbons, along with banners to hang at their school to recognize the achievement. All participants received a ribbon in recognition of having won their grade level competition at their school.

Science Fair awards

The following students earned first place in their grade level: 

◆ Kindergartener Eden Campbell, Ocean Avenue Elementary School in Northport for “Tasting Color.” Eden’s project explored whether the color of food affects its taste. What was her favorite part of the experiment? “Eating the jellybeans,” she said.

◆ First grader Milan Patel, Ocean Avenue Elementary School in Northport for “How Does the Direction of a House Affect the Amount of Heat Absorbed from the Sun?” 

◆ Second grader Advika Arun, Bretton Woods Elementary School in Hauppauge, for “Slower and Steadier the Safer it Will Be.” For her experiment, Advika crafted small parachutes to test which materials fostered a slow and safe landing. She found that nylon worked the best. “I liked the part where we dropped them and we saw the speed they went,” she said. She added of her first-place win, “I’m really excited!”

◆ Third grader Isla Cone, Love of Learning Montessori School in Centerport, for “The Impact of pH on Boba.” Isla tested food-friendly liquids with different pH levels to find out which could form boba, the round and chewy pearls found in bubble tea. She confirmed that boba spheres occurred in liquids with a pH between 4 and 10. “I wanted to do a project that was related to food,” she said. “My favorite part was getting to eat all the stuff!”

◆ Fourth grader Jude Roseto, Cutchogue East Elementary School in Cutchogue, for “Rise of the Machines: AI vs. Human Creativity Writing.” 

◆ Fifth grader Luke Dinsman, Northport Middle School in Northport, for “Maximizing Moisture — Nature Knows Best.” In his project, Dinsman found that homemade, natural moisturizers worked better than store-bought lotions at treating the dry skin he experiences as a swimmer. A shea body butter with beeswax turned out to be the best option. Making the lotions and testing them was the best part of the process, Luke said. He added, “It’s just a really cool project.”

◆ Sixth grader Owen Stone, East Quogue Elementary in East Quogue for “Can Common Foods Help Grow Potatoes?” 

Judges’ choice

Kindergarten: John Jantzen, Sunrise Drive Elementary School in Sayville

First Grade: Julianna Zick, West Middle Island Elementary School in Middle Island

Second Grade: Timothy Donoghue, Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton

Third Grade: Charlotte Sheahan, Pulaski Road School in East Northport

Fourth Grade: Dominick Padolecchia, Sunrise Drive Elementary School in Sayville

Fifth Grade: Isabella Maharlouei, Raynor Country Day School in Speonk

Sixth Grade: Zoe Wood, Northport Middle School in Northport

Honorable mentions

Kindergarten: Michael McCarthy, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown; Scarlett Luna, Hampton Bays Elementary School in Hampton Bays; Autumn Vlacci, Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton

First Grade: Tyler Paino, Bretton Woods Elementary School in Hauppauge; Logan Pierre, Brookhaven Elementary School in Brookhaven; Nora Boecherer, Edna Louise Spear Elementary School in Port Jefferson

Second Grade: Charlotte Tholl, Forest Brook Elementary School; Gabi Opisso, Cutchogue East Elementary School in Cutchogue; Matthew Ingram, Ocean Avenue Elementary School in Northport; Erios Pikramenos, Frank J. Carasiti Elementary School in Rocky Point; Maya Salman, Edna Louise Spear Elementary School in Port Jefferson

Third Grade: Emma Puccio Edelman, Hiawatha Elementary School in Lake Ronkonkoma; Vincent Calvanese, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown; Kaylee Krawchuck, Ridge Elementary School in Ridge; Isabella Guldi, Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School in Rocky Point

Fourth Grade: Juliam Gianmugnai, Ridge Elementary School in Ridge; Joseph Frederick, Lincoln Avenue Elementary School in Sayville; Gabriel Affatato, Pulaski Road School East Northport; Levi Beaver, Raynor Country Day School in Speonk

Fifth Grade: Evangeline Jamros, Edna Louise Spear Elementary in Port Jefferson; Colette Breig, RJO Intermediate School in Kings Park; Riona Mittal, Bretton Woods Elementary School in Hauppauge

Sixth Grade: Eamon Ryan, Lindenhurst Middle School in Lindenhurst; Michael Mineo, Silas Wood 6th Grade Center in Huntington Station; Alex Uihlein, Montauk Public School in Montauk.

Science Fair Expo

While their projects were on display, students and their families browsed a Science Fair Expo that featured up-close, hands-on demonstrations guided by Brookhaven Lab staff, interns, and volunteers.

The activities connected to science concepts and tools found across the Lab, from magnets and particle accelerators to electron microscopy and conductors. Students peered through microscopes, learned how fuel cells and solar panels work, became junior beamline operators, and more.

 

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Pixabay photo
Due to heavy rainfall, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has issued an advisory against bathing at 63 beaches. The advisory, issued on June 27, is based on the potential bacteria levels at these beaches exceed New York State standards.

The beaches covered by the advisory are located in areas that are heavily influenced by stormwater runoff from the surrounding watersheds or adjacent tributaries, and because of their location in an enclosed embayment, experience limited tidal flushing.

Health officials recommend that bathing and other water contact be suspended in affected areas until the waters have been flushed by two successive tidal cycles, at least a 24-hour period, after the rain has ended. This advisory will be lifted on Friday, June 28,at 5 a.m., unless sampling reveals elevated levels of bacteria persisting beyond the 24-hour period.

Beaches closed for swimming include:

  • Amityville Beach in Amityville
  • Tanner Park in Copiague
  • Venetian Shores Beach in West Babylon
  • Sound Beach POA East in Sound Beach
  • Sound Beach POA West in Sound Beach
  • Tides Beach in Sound Beach
  • Beech Road Beach (NSBA) in Rocky Point
  • Broadway Beach (NSBA) in Rocky Point
  • Friendship Drive Beach (NSBA) in Rocky Point
  • Shoreham Village Beach in Shoreham
  • Shoreham Beach in East Shoreham
  • Corey Beach in Blue Point
  • Stony Brook Beach in Stony Brook
  • Shoreham Shore Club Beach in East Shoreham
  • Miller Place Park Beach in Miller Place
  • Scotts Beach in Sound Beach
  • Woodhull Landing POA Beach in Miller Place
  • Bayberry Cove Beach in Setauket-East Setauket
  • Bayview Beach in Setauket-East Setauket
  • Grantland Beach in Setauket-East Setauket
  • Indian Field Beach in Setauket-East Setauket
  • Little Bay Beach in Setauket-East Setauket
  • Soundview Beach Association Beach in Old Field
  • Terraces on the Sound in Rocky Point
  • Havens Beach in Sag Harbor
  • Eagle Dock Community Beach in Cold Spring Harbor
  • Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club Beach in Lloyd Harbor
  • West Neck Beach in Lloyd Harbor
  • Lloyd Neck Bath Club Beach in Lloyd Harbor
  • Lloyd Harbor Village Park Beach in Lloyd Harbor
  • Gold Star Battalion Park Beach in Huntington
  • Head of the Bay Club Beach in Huntington Bay
  • Nathan Hale Beach Club Beach in Huntington Bay
  • Baycrest Association Beach in Huntington Bay
  • Bay Hills Beach Association in Huntington Bay
  • Crescent Beach in Huntington Bay
  • Knollwood Beach Association Beach in Huntington
  • Fleets Cove Beach in Huntington
  • Centerport Beach in Centerport
  • Huntington Beach Community Association Beach in Centerport
  • Steers Beach in Northport
  • Asharoken Beach in Asharoken
  • Hobart Beach (Sound & Cove) in Northport
  • Crab Meadow Beach in Northport
  • Wincoma Association Beach in Huntington Bay
  • Valley Grove Beach in Eatons Neck
  • Prices Bend Beach in Eatons Neck
  • West Islip Beach in West Islip
  • Benjamins Beach in Bay Shore
  • Islip Beach in Islip
  • East Islip Beach in East Islip
  • West Oaks Recreation Club Beach in West Sayville
  • Brightwaters Village Beach in Brightwaters
  • Bayport Beach in Bayport
  • Sayville Marina Park Beach in Sayville
  • Bayberry Beach & Tennis Club Beach in Islip
  • Ronkonkoma Beach (Town of Islip) in Ronkonkoma
  • Callahans Beach in Northport
  • Short Beach in Nissequogue
  • Nissequogue Point Beach in Nissequogue
  • Long Beach in Nissequogue
  • Schubert Beach in Nissequogue

For the latest information on affected beaches, please call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 631-852-5822 or visit the website link: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health. Search “Beach Monitoring Program”.

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Joshua Bozek. Photo courtesy Bozek

By Aidan Johnson

Summer has arrived, and with it warm weather and longer days. However, as kids participate in outdoor activities, it is important for parents, coaches and camp counselors to watch for signs of heat-related illnesses, including heatstroke, sunburns and dehydration.

Dr. Joshua Bozek, emergency medicine physician at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown, discussed how to identify the causes of heat-related illnesses in kids in an exclusive interview June 5.

“The first thing that I usually look for is when the kids are grabbing for their water bottle a little bit more frequently,” Bozek said.

“If they suddenly start feeling kind of weak, more tired … let’s say they’re playing a sport and suddenly they want to go on the bench, that’s a sign that they’re getting a heat illness,” he said, also noting nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps and irritability. He described more serious symptoms such as fainting, severe headaches and cool, clammy skin.

It’s important to remember that some conditions, such as heatstroke, do not only occur outside or on sunny days, but can happen when it’s cloudy or in places like gyms.

If symptoms of heat illness appear to be present in a child, it is important to move to a cooler area, such as a building with air conditioning. He suggested changing to lighter clothing like shorts and a T-shirt and laying the child down with their feet slightly raised.

If the symptoms start to progress even more, Bozek recommended spreading water on their skin, which can help to cool down the blood vessels underneath, though he clarified that this shouldn’t be done to the point where the child is frigid.

Importance of hydration

“As long as they’re not actively vomiting, you want to try to get some fluids into their system,” Bozek said, adding, “If you drink some cold liquid, your esophagus, your stomach, your intestines, until it warms up will help cool you from the inside out.”

However, if symptoms continue to worsen to severe vomiting, fainting or seizure activity, the best option would be dialing 911.

Bozek also discussed preventing sunburn in children, saying, “The number one thing that you can do with kids that are going to be out, particularly when they’re at camp, is making sure that they have adequate amounts of sunblock on and reapplying frequently.”

Hydration once again plays an important role, as when sunburn progresses and the skin gets hot, which dehydrates the inflicted person much more quickly. Therefore, it is important to drink more water than normal, even if the kids are not feeling thirsty.

Sunburns can progress into severe degrees of burns, with blistering being a sign of severity.

“You don’t want to get to the point where you’re actually getting some necrosis of the skin or blisters that become deep, but the main thing is just when it’s very sunny out, if you can do activities that are in the shade or indoors, that’s better,” the emergency doctor added.

Bozek noted the difference between sunscreen and sunblock, with sunscreen used as the generalized “full body preventative measure,” and sunblock being used more “for areas that are at higher risk,” such as the ears and nose, since they’re directly pointing up to the sky.

It’s important to remember to apply sunblock to the lips, as it is possible to develop blisters, or even skin cancer, if left unprotected. Additionally, wearing a hat can keep the sun off of a person’s scalp and potentially cool them down by providing some shade to their face.

Bozek recommends using SPF 50 and above for children.

Kids are more susceptible to sun burning and dehydration due to having more sensitive skin and being able to drink less liquid than an adult, along with not necessarily being able to recognize the symptoms of heat-related conditions as well. 

It is important for everyone to practice safety in the heat and sun, so the fun can continue throughout the summer.

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