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