Summer is such a fun time of year!
The hot weather provides many activities, but it can also be dangerous. There are many precautions you can take in order to help your child/children remain as safe as possible while having a summer they will remember.
- Water safety – Before your children go swimming, make sure they know how to do it! Swimming lessons should be a priority. If they are not good swimmers or are at a young age, have a life vest of some kind on them. Keep an eye on your children at all times when they are in the water. It only takes a quick minute for something bad to happen.
- Sun safety – Using sunscreen is incredibly important. Burns from the sun can be so severe that children are hospitalized and made very sick.
- Road safety – If your children are going to ride bikes or skateboard, make sure the road they are on is safe and not busy. They always need to wear a helmet and be aware of their surroundings.
- House safety – Many children are left alone during the summer while parents are working. Make sure your kids understand oven and microwave use, fire prevention, and first aid.
- Playground safety – Every year in the United States, emergency rooms see over 200,000 children ages 14 and under for playground accidents. Watch your children closely and check out the equipment to make sure it is working properly.
- Prevent dehydration – Make your child stop, take breaks, and drink water. You probably remember as a child the fun that summer brings. Sometimes you are having so much fun that you don’t want to take a break. Having breaks in the shade ever so often is vital to preventing dehydration.
Some accidents and injuries can occur no matter how hard we try and prevent them. However, putting these tips into practice can increase the chances of your child will have a safe, happy and healthy summer!
For more safety tips, check out these tips from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.