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Should the parents of sunburned kids be reported to social services?

School is out for the summer and kids are running amok on the playgrounds, beaches, pools, and amusement parks. With this comes the known responsibility of parents to be extra vigilant about applying sunscreen -- repeatedly -- to their children's little bodies. Not to mention the other sun protection techniques like covering up, seeking shade, and wearing sunglasses and a hat.

But what happens when parents, who aren't particularly attentive, end up with a severely burnt child in need of emergency medical treatment? Is that considered neglect and worthy of being reported to social services?

Special interest groups in the U.K. -- where they are currently experiencing a major heatwave -- argue that emergency room hospital staff should use their discretion as to when to call social services on the parents.

Also see: 7 household remedies for sunburned skin

"It depends on the parents’ attitude to what’s happened," Pat Wade, founder of Burned Children’s Club, tells the Daily Mail. "With all the advice out there children should not be getting burned. It’s neglect … You can buy sun cream for as little as £1 a bottle. Even if you don’t have a lot of money you should be able to protect your child."

Leigh Smith, chair of Melanoma Action and Support Scotland, agrees that it is a child protection issue and says, "It’s very serious. These parents have tripled their children’s chances of getting skin cancer."

According to the Montreal Children's Hospital, parents should go to an emergency department if their child experiences the following symptoms due to a sunburn.

  • Sunburn with chills

  • Nausea

  • Fever of 38.8ºC or higher

  • Faintness

  • Dizziness or vision problems

And if their child has any of the below symptoms after sun exposure, parents should call 911.

  • Hot, red, dry skin

  • Absence of sweat

  • Rapid pulse

  • Fever over 40°C

Of course, there is a significant middle ground where a number of parents end up with a mildly burnt child despite their best intentions and despite following all sun safety rules.

Also see: Top 7 heatwave health tips

In those cases, WebMD medical website recommends a few home remedies.

  • Use cool cloths on sunburned areas.

  • Take frequent cool showers or baths.

  • Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to sunburned areas. Topical steroids (such as 1% hydrocortisone cream) may also help with sunburn pain and swelling.

  • Consider taking ibuprofen for a headache and to reduce pain.

  • Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.

Do you think that the parents of sunburned kids should be reported to social services? Is it neglect? Sound off in the comments below.