Summer Safety Tips for Families with Small Children

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Summer is probably the favorite time of year for most children. The weather is warm, school is out, and fun activities are in abundance. However, many children are also injured all across the United States every summer. The good news is that many of these injuries can be prevented. Here are a few tips to prevent injuries and keep your small children safe and happy this summer. 

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Summer Safety Tips for Families with Small Children

Stock up on sunscreen.

Sunburns are not only painful, but they can also raise the risk for health issues such as skin cancer down the road. While your little ones enjoy the great outdoors this summer, make sure their skin is protected with a sunscreen of at least 35 SPF. Reapply every three hours, and if your children are in the water, reapply every hour or so. And don’t forget to wear sunscreen yourself!

Cover your pool and watch your children near water.

The majority of child drowning deaths occur in June, July, and August in backyard pools. If you have a pool at home and have small children, make sure it is covered when you’re not using it. Additionally, when you are visiting a pool or beach, or are around any other water source, make sure your small children are within your sight at all times. Drowning can happen in the blink of an eye, so it is important to never let small children play around water without supervision.

Keep your kids hydrated. 

Dehydration can easily occur in summer months when children are outside playing for long hours in the heat. Make sure your children drink plenty of water or other fluids during their outside activities. This is especially important if your children are engaged in rigorous physical activities such as team sports or family hikes. My sister always recommends every member of the family has a water bottle that is topped and must be finished before a certain time each day. Based on the size, this may need to be refilled.

Avoid heat exhaustion.

Heatstroke cases in children rise during the summer months. Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion can help you prevent heat stroke. Children suffering from heat exhaustion will show signs such as heat cramps and dizziness. If you notice these symptoms in your child, have him or her drink some fluids and rest for a while. 

Make sure your children are wearing proper safety gear.

Many children are injured each summer while playing sports, riding bikes, skating, and doing other activities. Invest in safety gear such as helmets, knee pads etc. for your children, and make sure they are wearing proper safety items whenever they are engaging in activities such as biking and sports. This can go a long way in preventing mild injuries such as scrapes and serious injuries such as concussions.

Know the signs of common sports injuries.

Many children are injured each summer while playing sports. Common sports injuries such as ACL tears and concussions are much less harmful if they are treated right away. Get familiar with any common injuries associated with any sports your children play and get medical care right away if you notice any symptoms.

Drive safely on family road trips.

Many families take road trips during the summer to go camping, visit parks, or see friends and family. Unfortunately, many children are injured in car accidents during these trips. To make your family road trips as safe as possible brush up on driving safety. Make sure you’re not driving while distracted or drowsy, and make sure you’re following all of the rules of the road.  Additionally, make sure your children are properly secured during trips. Many of the child deaths from car accidents each year could be prevented with proper car seat use. Make sure your child has the correct seat for his/her age and weight, and make sure he/she is secured in the seat at all times during trips.

These are just a few tips to keep your children safer and healthier during the summer months. With these tips in mind, you can engage in fun summer activities with your kids, knowing that you’ve done your best to keep them safe.

 

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