Splashing in the pool, running in the sun, and the laughing the windy days away. Summer can be one of the most magical and memorable times in a young child’s life, but naturally, certain precautions must be taken in order to make sure kids can stay as safe as possible. The sunshine, pool activities, and local parks present just as many potential risks to your child as opportunities to have fun. As long as you adhere to the following precautions, you can ensure your children are able to enjoy summer to the fullest without jeopardizing their safety. Keep these important safety tips in mind so you can kick back at the barbecue and watch them with peace of mind.
Safety in the Water
Because children are usually brimming with excitement to jump into the water when it gets hot, one of the most important tasks you will have is to ensure the proper water safety precautions have been taken. One of the leading causes of injury and death in children between the ages of one and four is drowning. In order to make sure your child is safe, always supervise them when playing around water. Either teach your child to swim, or get them enrolled in formal swimming lessons as soon as possible. Learning CPR can be a great investment for parents, and so can a fence or lifeguard around the perimeter of the pool.
Smart in the Sun
Equally important for parents is making sure children are safe from the harsh light of the sun. The sun’s UV rays are always the most powerful during the middle of the day and can also make things unbearably hot. Schedule indoor activities around midday, and if you are outside all day make sure you are prepared. Long-sleeve shirts, skirts, and long pants can provide adequate protection against the UV rays when they get particularly strong. Make sure your child wears a hat to protect their scalp and neck, and any exposed areas should be treated with sunscreen diligently. Sunglasses will protect your child’s eyes from UV rays, and will also help to lower the chance of developing cataracts when they get older. When deciding on the type of sunscreen to buy, SPF 15 should be the minimum in power. Sunscreen should be applied generously at least one half hour before the child goes outdoors. Always ensure it is applied to the lips, ears, nose, and the tops of the feet to cover all bases.
Beat the Bugs
While it may not be as apparent as the sun and the pool, being wary of ticks is also an important priority to have when keeping your children safe in the summer. Because children will be playing outside so often, they are susceptible to tick bites in tall grass, allergic reactions to certain plants, and lots of mosquito bites. As you may know, ticks carry a variety of diseases such as Lyme disease. In addition to protective clothing with long sleeves, it’s important to make sure you have a reliable form of insect repellent. Let your child know that it’s important to stay in the center of the path whenever possible, and to make an effort to try staying out of areas that have highly overgrown grass. Whenever your child comes back into the house, make sure to do a tick check to ensure they haven’t accidentally introduced an unwelcome guest on their skin.
Backdoor Tips
Your kids will probably spend most of the summer outside in the backyard or just in the neighborhood. Make sure they know some basic safety tips so you won’t have to supervise constantly. Teach them to close the doors when going in and out so bugs don’t get in and do the air conditioning doesn’t escape. Make sure older kids know not to play in the street or cross the road without help. If you have lots of neighbors close by, make sure your kids know the rules about trespassing and asking permission before cutting through someone’s yard. If your kids play on bikes and scooters and need the garage opened, be sure they know the code, or can go through a side door instead of opening a big garage door every day. A lawyer might recommend checking for malfunctions before the summer as well.
Summer is a magical time for most kids. Use these tips to keep them safe and protected.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information on summer safety a garage door injury lawyer can help, or contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan