Summer Safety

Fun in the Sun!

Babies < 6 months

  • Prevent burns by avoiding direct sun exposure

  • Dress in lightweight long clothing and hats

  • Use sunblock with SPF >15 to protect sun exposed areas. Use sunblock on small, sun exposed areas only.

All children

  • Limit direct sun exposure between 10am-4pm

  • Apply sunscreen every 2 hours, sooner if child plays in water

  • Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses

Bug Safety

  • Avoid scented soaps and lotions

  • Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate (standing water, trashcans, blooming gardens)

  • Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks (especially at night) and avoid bright or floral clothes

  • Children >2 months should use 10-30% DEET containing bug spray.

  • Avoid bug spray/sunscreen combos because sunscreen should be re-applied every 2 hours but bug spray should not

Heat Stress

  • Never, ever leave children in the car. Leave your bag, phone or shoes in the back seat to remind you to check in the back seat before you leave your car

  • Lock your car doors when parked so children cannot get in without supervision

  • Older children should hydrate with water or sports drinks every 20 minutes when active in the heat

Playground Safety

  • Make sure slides are cool to prevent your child’s legs from getting burned

  • Always wear shoes on the playground

  • Trampoline play should be adult supervised

  • 75% of trampoline injuries occur when more than 1 child is jumping at a time

  • Trampoline netting does not prevent many trampoline associated injuries and provides a false sense of security

Water Safety

Drowning is the #1 cause of accidental death for kids aged 1-4. Rates of drowning peak in toddler and adolescent years. 

Supervision

  • Kids should always ask permission before getting in the water.

  • Avoid drowning by always having an adult closely supervising. An adult should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”

  • Designate a “water watcher” when you are in or around the water. Drowning can be quick and quiet, so the water watcher should avoid all other distractions such as cell phones, drinking, or reading.

  • Never swim alone. Even good swimmers need a buddy!

General Safety

  • Learn CPR. Health departments and community centers often provide free classes

  • Inflatable swimming aids like “floaties” are not a substitute for approved life vests or puddle jumpers and give a false sense of security

  • Swimming lessons are great, but should never be seen as “drown proofing” at any age

Pool Safety

  • Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.

  • Other methods may help lower drowning risk: hard pool covers, pool alarms, door alarms

  • Avoid rafts, noodles, kickboards and loungers. These give a false sense of security.

  • Avoid entrapment: Suction from pool drains can trap a swimmer underwater. Do not use a pool if there are broken or missing drain covers.

  • Children may fall into the large inflatable above-ground pools if they lean against the soft side. These pools should be surrounded by a fence.

  • If a child is missing, look for them in the pool first

Boating Safety

  • Appropriately sized lifejackets should be worn at all times on or around a boat or dock. Adults should wear them, too, for their protection and to set a good example.

  • Make sure your teen knows about the risks of drinking alcohol when swimming or operating a boat/wave runner

Be sure to read the Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep for Children Under 5 Years of Age

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