The Saunders Blog

Summer Safe – Top 10 Summer Safety Tips for Kids

Share

Follow these tips to make sure your child plays safe this summer.

Summer vacation is here! And while that means some extra time for families and friends, it also presents a number of safety concerns parents should keep in mind. With school out for the season, most children will be spending much more time at home, and possibly visiting relatives that may not have safety precautions in place in their home. There are always some important things to consider when introducing your young one to a new place to play.

Summer break also means more outdoor activities—swimming, bike riding, playgrounds and more—all of which can hold some danger if not properly supervised. For all parents, this means being extra vigilant to keep your child safe and healthy. Here are the top 10 tips for keeping your child safe this summer: 

1.  Adult Supervision – Supervising your child is the best and easiest method for preventing any mishaps. An adult being present on the scene can not only keep a close eye on the child, but the child has someone to call out to in case of any problem. Also, the child knows that there is someone is around, so they will avoid doing anything that is not considered acceptable by elders.

2.  Equipment Check – If there is a particular playground that the child visits often, make sure you have the area checked for safety in terms of equipment. Are the kids playing with something sharp, rusted or has jagged edges? Is the equipment age appropriate for them? Are there any broken components that need to be fixed? All of which could pose serious threats.

3.  Pool Safety – It should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Never leave kids alone near the pool, no matter what their ages or swim capabilities are. Parents can and should take precautions around home pools, in addition to closely supervising kids while they swim. Installing fencing around pools, at least 5-feet high, all the way around and with a self-closing, self-latching gate, can prevent 50 to 90 percent of accidental drowning incidents.

4.  Bike Riding – Whether or not you wore a helmet while riding your bike as a child, it is a must for kids these days. With nearly 300,000 kids visiting the emergency room every year with bike-related injuries, wearing a helmet can help reduce your child’s risk significantly. Keeping kids safe on their bikes also means sending them out on bikes that fit. Check that your child hasn’t outgrown last year’s ride.

5.  Hydration Station – Staying hydrated in hot weather can help reduce the risk of heat-related illness. Keep water or sports drinks on hand to maintain hydration, and try to stay in a shady or air-conditioned location during the hottest parts of the afternoon. Kids are more susceptible to heat illnesses than adults because their central nervous system is not yet fully developed. Strenuous activity and dehydration make it difficult for young bodies to regulate changes in body temperature.

6.  Sun Safe – According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, getting just one blistering sunburn when you’re a kid doubles your chances of developing melanoma. Regardless of age and skin type, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a water-resistant sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays every day of the year. Yes, even in winter and on cloudy days. Choose a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside.

7. Stair Safety – Although parents often baby-proof stairs and other areas where babies and toddlers could potentially fall, they may not think about falling as a risk for older children. According to the Home Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of nonfatal home injuries among children under age 15, accounting for an average of 1.3 million injuries a year. So even with school-aged kids, parents need to be aware of potential falling hazards around the home.

8. Poison Control - Any product with the word “caution,” “warning,” “danger” or “poison” written on the label should be locked away, up high and out of reach of children. You should also keep all medications and vitamins out of reach. And always keep products in their original containers with the labels intact. Keep the number for Poison Control – 1-800-222-1222 – near each phone or on your refrigerator. This is their national hotline that you can call for emergencies and non-emergencies, and if necessary they can connect you with local emergency help.

9.  Wear Jackets – Plan on boating this summer? Make sure you have the proper life jackets on board for everyone. Life jackets, or personal flotation devices (PFDs), come in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and materials. No matter which life jacket you choose, be sure to get the one that is right for you. United States Coast Guard (USCG) approval means that the PFD has passed rigorous testing. So, always look for the USCG approval number on any life jacket you buy. Children under 6 must wear a PFD while underway in boats under 26 feet.

10.  Community – Get to know your neighbors and the parents of your children’s friends. Have their phone numbers so you can make sure the kids got safely to a friend’s house or any other destination. Having a network you trust and can rely on will make you and your kids feel safer.