Children look forward to summer all year long. Unfortunately, the reality is that summer is the season with the most accidents, scrapes, bruises and broken bones. Long summer days can lead children into dangerous situations or just bad luck. There are a few precautions parents and children can take to decrease the risks associated with the summer season. Biking and rollerblading are popular activities for children of all ages, but they can cause both minor and serious injuries.
Before the summer starts, check all your children’s safety equipment. Ensuring that they each have a well-fitting helmet is a great start. You should also make sure that you have kneepads and elbow pads ready and available for things like skateboarding. In addition to the risk of injury, outdoor activities and sports in the heat can also cause dehydration.
From 10am to 2pm the sun is at the highest point in the sky causing the most heat and harsh rays. Sunburn has negative short-term and long-term effects. All children should be encouraged to wear hats and always have and re-apply sunscreen throughout a day playing in the sun. 30 SPF or higher is recommended for all children, re-applied every two hours.
Young children especially forget the importance of water and sport drinks when spending hours outdoors. If they don’t stay adequately hydrated they are at risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Having bottles of water on hand is great for kids so they can grab one on the way out or into the house. In this case water can be a lifesaver, but this liquid can also be extremely dangerous to small children.
Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children aged 1 through 4. Since the cant swim and don’t know enough to stay away from pools and Jacuzzis, these tragedies happen every summer. All pools should be fenced in with removable ladders to protect against accidental drowning. If children over the age of 4 are swimming, an adult that can swim and recognize a child struggling in the water should always supervise them.
When you and your children take the appropriate safety precautions, you can both have a fun filled summer season. Teaching your children these healthy habits will instill them for life and help them stay safe not only through the summer but also throughout the entire year. In the future they will also be able to pass on these safety habits to others.