Start the School Year Right: Your Back-to-School Check List

Summer is a time for bike rides, pool days, sports camps, family vacations and long afternoons spent outdoors. A few simple precautions can help keep children safe and healthy.

From water safety and injury prevention to hydration, healthy screen time habits and knowing when to seek care, Wellstar Children’s of Georgia experts share practical tips to help your family make the most of summer.

By the water

Some of the best summer memories are made by the water—whether at the pool, lake or beach. But drowning can happen quickly and silently, so active adult supervision should always come first.

“Supervision is more than just being nearby. You have to be watching—not on your phone, not reading a book, not having a side conversation,” said Dr. Joanna Dolgoff, Wellstar Children's of Georgia pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. “It's a good idea to designate one adult as the water watcher, and their only job is to keep eyes on the kids."

Swim lessons are an important part of water safety, but they never replace supervision. For boating and other water activities, children should also wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

After swimming, dry kids’ ears thoroughly and avoid cotton swabs to help prevent swimmer's ear—an infection of the outer ear canal caused by trapped moisture.

“Earwax helps protect against swimmer's ear. It fights bacteria,” said Dr. Eric Berg, medical director of pediatric surgical services and medical director of complex pediatric otolaryngology at Wellstar Children’s of Georgia. “Sometimes when people are overly aggressive with cleaning their ears, they make themselves more predisposed.”

On the move

Summer gives kids more opportunities to ride bikes, play sports and explore the playground. Pediatric specialists also see more orthopedic injuries this time of year, making a few simple safety habits crucial.

"Most importantly, helmets," said Dr. Berg. "If they're riding a scooter, bicycle or skateboard, a properly fitted helmet can dramatically reduce the risk of serious head injury. The other piece that’s critical is parents modeling the behavior.”

Trampolines, monkey bars and climbing equipment are common sources of fractures and sprains, particularly when kids become fatigued. Supervise your child closely and offer plenty of breaks during active play.

At the same time, remember that some risk is a natural part of growing up.

"Kids have to learn their boundaries and what they’re capable of,” Dr. Berg said. "However, if they’re doing something that seems to put them in extreme danger, obviously intervene and redirect.”

Under the sun

Georgia's summer heat doesn't have to slow kids down—but staying ahead of it can help keep them safe.

“We have to be vigilant about making sure our children are staying hydrated and giving them breaks from the sun, particularly during the peak hours of the early afternoon,” Dr. Berg said.

Apply sunscreen before going outside and offer water frequently—even before kids ask for it.

"You don't want to wait until your child says, 'I'm thirsty,' because at that point they may already be getting dehydrated," Dr. Dolgoff said.

Heat can also make playground equipment, pavement and parked cars dangerously hot. Check outdoor surfaces before play and never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.

Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, weakness, headache, nausea or dizziness. If your child develops signs of heatstroke, such as confusion, loss of consciousness or a temperature above 104 degrees, call 911 immediately.

At home

Summer break often means later bedtimes and more flexibility, but healthy routines still matter.

"It's not about banning screens altogether—it's about finding the right balance," Dr. Dolgoff said. "The key is making sure screen time doesn't crowd out the things kids really need, like sleep, physical activity, reading, family time and social connections.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends creating a family media plan with age-appropriate expectations, including screen-free times during meals and for at least an hour before bedtime.

"Instead of focusing on cutting out screen time, focus on cutting in other activities," Dr. Dolgoff said.

Summer is also a great time to reinforce healthy eating habits. Make water the drink of choice, limit sugary beverages and keep washed, ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables within easy reach.

"One of the biggest reasons kids' diets suffer is because they don't have that routine, and summer is like a free-for-all," Dr. Dolgoff said. "Keeping a consistent schedule and sitting down together for meals is really important during the summer."

Around town

Backyard barbecues, concerts and community festivals are some of summer's favorite traditions. Knowing what to watch for can help keep the focus on making memories.

If you're preparing fish, remove bones carefully before serving children and use caution when cleaning grills with wire brushes.

"Bristles can dislodge and cause big problems if they get hidden in a hamburger and eaten," Dr. Berg said.

Use insect repellent, perform tick checks after outdoor play and practice good hand hygiene and safe food handling to help prevent other common summer illnesses.

At fireworks shows and concerts, consider using earplugs or noise-reducing headphones and keep a safe distance from speakers and fireworks. Remember that children should never handle fireworks, including sparklers, which can cause serious burns and eye injuries.

"Do not underestimate the danger of sparklers," Dr. Dolgoff said. "Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt some metals.”

When something doesn't feel right

Even with the best preparation, bumps, bruises and illnesses happen. Knowing where to go for care can help your child get the right treatment quickly. Wellstar offers expert pediatric care through urgent care, emergency care and primary care locations across Georgia.

Most scrapes, cuts, sprains and minor fractures can be treated at an urgent care center. More serious injuries—including severe fractures, large cuts, eye injuries and head injuries involving loss of consciousness or confusion—should be evaluated in an emergency department.

“Concussions can sometimes take 24 to 72 hours to really start to show themselves,” said Dr. Berg. “If your child isn’t acting like themselves, it might be appropriate to check with your pediatrician.”

Fortunately, most children recover well from minor summer injuries and illnesses. But no one knows your child better than you do.

“Kids are remarkably able to heal themselves and recover,” Dr. Berg said. “But be conscious and aware—trust your mom or dad instincts that if something seems off, don't hesitate to get it checked out.”

Learn more about pediatric care at Wellstar Children’s of Georgia and find a pediatric expert near you.

Few moments are more challenging for a parent than learning their newborn needs specialized medical care. In those early days, families need expert support, compassionate guidance and a calm space that helps them stay close to their baby.

That’s the vision behind the new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, part of the hospital’s Yellow Tower expansion. The next-generation unit combines advanced care, thoughtful design and a strong focus on family connection.

“The new NICU at Wellstar Kennestone provides more than advanced technology,” said Dr. Carrie Stinson, Wellstar chief of pediatrics. “It allows us to deliver the highest level of neonatal care close to home, so parents can focus on what matters most—being present for their babies during the most critical moments of their lives.”

Family-centered design

The new 49-bed NICU uses advanced monitoring technology to support babies who need intensive care, including those born early or facing medical challenges. As a high-volume, high-acuity Level III NICU, the care team is experienced in caring for newborns with a range of needs.

Beyond clinical care, the unit was designed with families in mind. Spacious rooms, natural light and a calming color palette create a more peaceful environment for babies and parents.

“This new design helps transform the NICU experience from something that can feel overwhelming into one that is more supportive, more personal and more centered around the family,” said Dr. Amanda M. Evans, Wellstar neonatal medical director and NICU medical director at Wellstar Kennestone.

One of the most meaningful features is the unit’s six couplet care rooms, where mothers and babies can remain together after delivery when medically appropriate.

“It allows the care team to support both patients together, creating stronger bonds and better outcomes—which is truly at the heart of what we are trying to achieve,” Dr. Evans said.

Personalized nutrition for the smallest patients

The NICU also includes an innovative milk lab—a centralized pharmacy that prepares fortified human milk, donor milk and prescribed formulas. The dedicated space helps ensure precise nutrition for newborns who need tailored feeding plans.

“One of the most important advances is the ability to analyze breast milk for its nutritional content,” Dr. Evans said. “Every mother’s milk is unique. With this technology, we can better understand what every baby is receiving and make individualized adjustments when needed.”

For families, the milk lab offers confidence in every feeding. It gives the care team advanced tools to deliver personalized nutrition with the highest standards of safety.

Expanding access to advanced neonatal care

As one of Georgia’s most trusted hospitals for women’s and children’s services, Wellstar Kennestone continues to invest in pediatric care. The new NICU expands access to specialized neonatal services across Cobb County and Metro Atlanta—so parents can find exceptional care without traveling far.

“Every baby in the NICU deserves the most advanced care from the very first breath,” said Varma Rameswar, vice president of pediatric operations and service line at Wellstar. “We’re redefining what’s possible in neonatal care by providing leading-edge support for every baby and every family.”

Learn more about neonatology services at Wellstar.