Summertime means a lot of fun and adventures for kids. Whether they’re at home, on the road, at camp or at play there are some crucial safety tips to consider.
Grilling safety
For all the grill masters out there, position your grill away from foot traffic and play areas. Do your best to create a three foot “kid-free zone” around your grill to prevent potential burns.
Hot Cars
Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for one minute. Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle related deaths for children.
Swimming Safety
On a hot summer day nothing is more refreshing than a dip in a pool, lake or beach. Make sure to designate a responsible adult who will keep their eye on the kids 100 percent of the time. In other words, keep your eyes off of your phone.
Summer Travel
Before you hit the road for a long trip, or short one, double check to make sure your child’s car seat is installed and used correctly. Make sure older children are buckled in at all times.
Drink a lot of Water
Drink plenty of water before, during and after play. This is especially important in the summer months to avoid dehydration.
Biking Safety
Wear a helmet for biking and other wheeled sports. It is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bike crashes. Kids should wear a helmet when riding a scooter, skating, skateboarding or biking.
Sun Protection
Every child needs sun protection, no matter their skin color. Both dark- and light-skinned kids need protection from UV rays because any tanning or burning causes skin damage. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Whatever sunscreen you choose, make sure it's broad-spectrum (protects against both UVA and UVB rays) and, if kids are in or near water, is labeled water-resistant. Apply a generous amount and re-apply often. Try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV protection.
Babies under 6-months-old should be kept away from direct sunlight.
Fireworks Safety
The best way to protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home. Instead, attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals. Instead of giving children sparklers, try using glow sticks! They can be just as fun, but they don’t burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass. If you do decide to light fireworks yourself, be extra careful. Make sure you’re not wearing loose clothing when handling matches or fireworks. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure you know how to operate it properly. When you’re finished with the fireworks, douse the remains with a bucket of water before disposing of them to avoid a trash fire. Visit the Safety Education Center’s web site for more information on firework injuries.
Additional Resources