The final school bell has rung, the pencils and notebooks are packed away and the kids are ready for some summer fun! Children love the hot summer months, because they provide the perfect opportunity to spend lots of time outside. Whether it’s swimming in the pool, hiking through the woods, taking long walks, or going for a bike ride, there is something for everyone, no matter how young or old.
We hope that everyone enjoys this special time of year, but we want to also remind parents that there are potential dangers during the summer months, and it’s important to be aware of what they are. The more information one learns about how to prevent illnesses and injuries, the less likely they will occur.
There are many areas to cover when it comes to summer safety, and we’ll review just a few here. Please keep in mind that this is a brief list of tips. For more information check out the web sites recommended at the end of this article.The final school bell has rung, the pencils and notebooks are packed away and the kids are ready for some summer fun! Children love the hot summer months, because they provide the perfect opportunity to spend lots of time outside. Whether it’s swimming in the pool, hiking through the woods, taking long walks, or going for a bike ride, there is something for everyone, no matter how young or old.
We hope that everyone enjoys this special time of year, but we want to also remind parents that there are potential dangers during the summer months, and it’s important to be aware of what they are. The more information one learns about how to prevent illnesses and injuries, the less likely they will occur.
There are many areas to cover when it comes to summer safety, and we’ll review just a few here. Please keep in mind that this is a brief list of tips. For more information check out the web sites recommended at the end of this article.
Tick Bites
Ticks are responsible for a variety of illnesses including Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These diseases can be very serious. Learn ways to protect your family. Some suggestions include:
- protective clothing (long sleeves, long pants, tucking pants into socks)
- tick/bug repellant
- insect repellant for pets
- staying in the center of paths, keeping away from overgrown areas and not sitting directly on the ground
- performing tick checks on all family members every day
- being aware of signs/symptoms of tick-related illnesses
- calling the doctor for any concerns and questions
Helmet Safety
- An appropriate helmet must be worn whenever a child is “on wheels.” This means bicycles, scooters, skates, rollerblades, skateboards and more!
- The helmet must fit properly.
- Helmets can be life saving and can protect a child from serious injury.
- Be sure the right type of helmet is being used. For example, a bike helmet needs to be used for biking.
- Moms and dads should wear helmets as well.
Pedestrian Safety
- Teach children to walk, not run, across the street.
- Children should cross only with an adult or an older, responsible child.
- Whenever crossing the street, try to make eye contact with any drivers nearby, to be sure they see you.
- Teach children to avoid running out from between parked cars.
- Use sidewalks whenever possible.
- Always hold your child’s hand near any moving or parked vehicles.
- Adults always need to set a good example!
Water Safety
- Adult supervision is of paramount importance. Parents need to focus on their children 100% of the time. No distractions!
- Practice “touch supervision” (a term used by the American Academy of Pediatrics). This means that at all times, the supervising adult is within an arm’s length of the child being watched, when near or in the water.
- Remember, no child or adult is “drown proof.”
- Keep in mind that children can drown in many different water sources including: bathtubs, toilets, buckets, baby pools, backyard swimming pools, community pools, streams, creeks, lakes, rivers, oceans and other places.
