SUMMER holidays are the best time for having fun with your children, but keeping them healthy isn't always easy. Dr Ranj Singh, children's health expert and resident doctor on ITV's This Morning, gives his advice.

Be sun smart

"You need to take extra care of babies and children in the sun, as their skin is so much more sensitive than adults. Always keep children under six months out of direct, strong sunlight, and keep youngsters in the shade when the sun is at its hottest, between 11am and 3pm," says Dr Ranj. "Ensure children cover up with suitable light clothing, and I'd advise at least an SPF30 sunscreen for children on any remaining exposed areas, such as their face, ears, feet and backs of their hands. Don't forget a hat and also sunglasses. Many parents forget about children's eyes, but they need protecting from UV radiation just as much as the skin."

Drink up

"Make sure children are drinking plenty throughout the day, as dehydration is a risk in very hot weather, and they need to drink more than normal," he advises. "The best way of checking whether they're drinking enough is to look at the colour of their urine. Generally, if they're getting enough fluid, it should a pale yellow colour, but if it's getting darker and darker, then they're probably not. With breastfeeding babies, you may have to nurse them more often, and bottle-fed babies may need more feeds. A great way to get fluid into toddlers and children is to give them jelly or ice-lollies, which are predominantly water."

Beat the bites

"Fortunately, there aren't many insects in the UK that transmit serious diseases. Obviously, it's much more important when you're abroad, especially in tropical areas, to be aware of the problem and to protect children," he warns. "Most insect bites here can be treated symptomatically by putting on a cold compress and then, if a bite's really red and inflamed, use an antihistamine cream. If it's particularly sore and itchy, you may need to use antihistamine medication, but if it's looking increasingly red, or oozing, get it checked by a doctor because it may be infected. I would, however, warn parents to be aware of ticks, as some can transmit a condition called Lyme Disease. Ticks tend to be found in forests or wooded areas and where there are long grasses in parks and country spaces."

Jump safe

"In the school summer holidays, children are out and about doing activities, so the reality is they tend to injure themselves more," he says. "We're seeing more bumps and breaks already, so take care that they're well supervised when they're outside. Obviously, take special care around water such as paddling pools, swimming pools, ponds, lakes and the sea, where children should always be supervised - even if they can swim."

Cook carefully

"Al fresco meals and barbecues are fun, but food must be properly prepared, otherwise they can be a common cause of stomach upsets in adults as well as children. Meats need cooking through and thoroughly, while salads should be properly washed and not left out in the sun.

"If a child does get ill, remember they need to stay hydrated while they're trying to get rid of all the stuff that's inside them by being sick or having diarrhoea. Encourage them to sip fluids, but not just plain water. Add oral re-hydration solutions to it, as they contain a balance of sugar and essential salts."

  • Always consult a GP or doctor if the child is under six months, or the symptoms get worse, there is severe stomach pain, a high temperature, drowsiness and confusion, blood in stools or vomit, fluids cannot be kept down, or you've recently returned from abroad.