Do your kids have their eyes and hearts fixed to that ever-approaching summer vacation start date? As a parent, you might be feeling other emotions as that date nears. Worry over possible accidents? Stress over safety issues?
It’s true. The hotter months of the year can expose your children to risks that can leave your summer plans reeling.
Want this year to be one with few complications and no disasters or major issues? You might want to hone in on some simple summer safety secrets. Follow these simple secrets to ensure your summer is enjoyed to the full, without plans being cut short due to accidents or sickness.
1. Eyes on the road.
Children, no matter how lovable, do not make the world's greatest passengers. They talk, ask questions, fight with their siblings, all of which can combine to create the perfect distracted driving scenario.
NHTSA.gov announced that distracted driving claimed 3,450 lives in 2016. And according to CNRLawyers.com, a Hanover reckless driving lawyer, “A minute of distraction can lead to serious accidents, which can lead to injuries or deaths. … It is clear that reckless driving is not always intentional. However, if you are charged, you will face the same penalties as those who broke the law intentionally.”
This summer, chances are good you are going to be spending extra time on the road. Be safe. Keep your eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel.
2. Skip the heat of the day.
Want to prevent your kids from getting that yearly nasty sunburn? Try this out: Avoid going out during the heat of the day, when UV rays are said to be at their strongest. That is, stay indoors between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM, according to EPA.gov.
That does not mean all summertime activities must cease during these hours. But generally, try to bring your outdoor fun indoors during those sweltering hours of the day. This one simple move can greatly reduce your children’s risk of a sunburn this year.
Of course, you and your crew should still wear sunscreen, hats, and other coverups during the early morning and late afternoon. Because you can still get burned during non-peak hours. So regardless of the time of day, make sure your kids are wearing some form of sun protection.
3. An arm's reach away for swimming safety.
Stats provided by the CDC state that 10 people die daily from drowning every year. Summer comes with increased opportunity and desire to splash and play in the water. So the risk of drowning is heightened during the hotter months.
Aside from having your child always wear wings, a lifejacket, or other flotation devices, to be extra safe, you should be no farther than an arm's reach away. Even if there is a lifeguard on duty, the lifeguard is typically watching many children at once. Your extra set of eyes on your child will go that much further to ensure your child's safety.
If your child is a strong swimmer, or older and can reach the bottom of the pool, then you might not need to be an arm's reach away. But your vigilance should not ebb. And if your family is swimming at a beach? Check weather, current, and tide conditions before anyone dips a toe into the water.
4. Turn your home into a watering hole.
Can your children drink water easily? Do they have easy access to the water dispenser, ice cubes, cups, and other things to keep themselves hydrated?
Parents, and most kids, too, know that drinking water is essential for daily health. During the summer, however, it becomes doubly easy to become dehydrated. The consequences are also more severe, as the body's hampered ability to stay cool could lead to heatstroke.
Turn your kitchen into a watering hole with plenty of options for having a fantastic glass of water. Make it fun by infusing the water with fruit, lemon, mint, or other flavors that will help your kids enjoy their drink.
Make sure your child has their own water cup and water bottle. Preferably, a size smaller than a normal glass, for very young children, for easy lifting and drinking.
Other non-water sources that can help keep your kids hydrated include milk, soup, fruit, and some vegetables. Avoid fruit juice that is too sugary. Many fruit juice types are sugar and calorie bombs that will do your children no favors in the long run.
