How to Make Your Child’s Summer Safe and Fun
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Summer is usually an exciting season, especially for kids. From the warm weather to the long days of outdoor activities, summer is truly a magical time of the year. For parents, the onset of summer means taking the extra initiative to keep their guard up. That’s because as children spend more time outdoors, one wrong move could compromise their safety and well-being.
Read on to learn some essential safety tips for parents to prepare their kids for an enjoyable, memorable, and secure summer.
Get Some Protection from the Sun
Increased outdoor activities and record-breaking temperatures make sun protection paramount during summer. For this reason, it’s important to ensure your children are well-protected from harmful UV rays by applying sunscreen with a Sun Protector Factor (SPT) of at least 30.
This should be done 30 minutes before going outside. If you live in an area that witnesses higher temperatures, encourage them to wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, breathable clothing that covers their arms and legs.
Such areas tend to get hotter around midday. So, try to schedule outdoor activities during early mornings or late afternoons when the sun’s intensity is lower.
Keep Them Hydrated
Kids usually engage in physical activities, especially when playing outdoors. This can lead to dehydration, which poses a serious health risk. For perspective, severe cases of dehydration can lead to any of the following conditions:
- Swelling of the brain
- Kidney failure
- Comma
- Or even death
Teach your children the importance of staying hydrated and always provide them with a water bottle during outings. Remind them to take sips frequently, even if they don’t feel thirsty.
For best results, train them to avoid sugary drinks and opt for water, natural fruit juices, or sports drinks with low sugar content. Above all, watch out for common signs of dehydration in kids, such as constant headaches, lightheadedness, and dizziness.
Practice Water Safety
There’s no better time to take a trip to the beach, lake, or pool than summer. That explains why these places are usually crowded around this time of the year.
As a parent, it’s important to prioritize water safety, especially in the summer. If possible, enroll your children in swimming lessons to ensure they have the basic skills needed in and around water.
Importantly, even if they’re good at swimming, never leave them unattended near water. Instead, use flotation devices for young or inexperienced swimmers, and teach them not to run near pool edges to prevent accidents.
Protect Them from Insects
As kids explore nature during summer, they may encounter insects and bugs. Like humans, insects like coming out to enjoy the warm weather, while others leave their nests to escape from the warm weather. Whatever the reason, you’ll likely cross paths at some point.
Use insect repellents containing DEET picaridin to protect your kids from bites and stings. How you dress your children for the summer also matters. To avoid exposure and bites from insects, especially when camping, dress them in light-colored, long-sleeved clothing.
Practice Bike and Helmet Safety
Kids love riding their bicycles in the summer. But with everyone outdoors, bicycle accidents are particularly common around this time.
Before you let them ride their bikes or use any other wheeled recreational equipment like scooters and skateboards, ensure they wear well-fitted helmets. Teach them proper road safety rules, such as using designated bike lanes and stopping at intersections.
Prepare for Fire Emergencies
Summer often involves barbecues, camping trips, and lots of fireworks, all of which are among the leading causes of fires around this time of the year. Teach your children to stay away from grills and fire pits while lit, and never leave them unattended near open flames. If they must light fireworks, especially around holidays such as the Fourth of July, make sure they do so responsibly, under supervision, and per the laws of that jurisdiction. Importantly, ensure they know how to use fire extinguishers and stop, drop, and roll in case their clothing catches fire.
Practice First Aid and Emergency Preparedness
While hoping for the best, you should always stay prepared for emergencies. For instance, have you considered having a car accident checklist? It could come in handy if you or a loved one gets injured by a negligent driver.
Bring a first aid kit for outings, and make sure your children know basic first aid procedures. Teach them how to call emergency services in case of an accident and the information they should provide when they need help.
Conclusion
Accidents can happen despite our best efforts to keep our playful loved ones safe. And, in the unfortunate event that your child becomes a victim of someone else’s negligence or recklessness don’t hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney for a case evaluation.
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