Summer Safety Tips for your Kids (and You)

With summer solstice on the horizon, it seems appropriate to provide a summer safety tip sheet.

 

It’s estimated that every year, one in four kids ages 14 and younger will sustain an injury that requires medical attention. 40% of all injury-related emergency room visits and 42% of all injury deaths happen between May and August. This summer, let’s educate our kids (and ourselves) on safety so we can reduce 90% of these accidents.

Sunburn

Regardless of age and skin type, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone, adults and kids alike, apply a water-resistant sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays every day of the year (even in winter and on cloudy days). Choose a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. (If you're using both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply sunscreen first and then repellent.)

 

Bites

Repellents don’t kill insects, but they can reduce bites from mosquitoes, ticks and other bothersome bugs. There are two type of repellents, those with DEET and those without. While it’s advised that DEET on kids should be used “sparingly” and should NOT be used on infants, it’s probably safe to say let’s not use repellents with DEETS at all. We are trying to avoid accidents right? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends repellents that contain picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, both are non-toxic and able to reduce mosquito bites just as well as formulas with low levels of DEET.

 

Pool Safety

Never leave kids alone near the pool, no matter what their ages or swim capabilities are. Parents can and should take precautions around home pools, in addition to closely supervising kids while they swim. Installing fencing around pools, at least 5-feet high, all the way around and with a self-closing, self-latching gate, like the MagnaLatch and TruClose adjustable, self-closing gate hinges, can prevent 50 to 90 percent of accidental drowning incidents. For a full list of layers of protection, visit http://www.poolsafely.gov/  

Playground Safety

The CPSC reports over 205,000 kids visit emergency rooms with playground-related injuries each year. Check the playground equipment before letting kids play on it. For example, surfaces that are too hot can cause burns, and loose ropes can cause accidental strangulation. The ground should be covered in a protective surface such as rubber mats, wood or rubber mulch or wood chips, never grass, asphalt or concrete. The right surface materials could reduce the risk of head injury or other severe injury in the event of a fall.

Bike Rides

Over 300,000 kids each year visit the emergency room due to bike-related injuries, some result in death or severe brain injury. Helmets can greatly reduce your child’s risk of that ER visit. The CPSC sets standards for helmets, so look for the seal of approval. Also, as you ride with your child set an example and put a helmet on too.

Overheating & Hydration

Staying hydrated in hot weather can help reduce the risk of heat-related illness. If you’re feeling thirsty, you are already mildly dehydrated. Keep water or sports drinks (with electrolytes) on hand to maintain hydration, and try to stay in a shady or air-conditioned location during the hottest parts of the afternoon. Mild symptoms of heat exhaustion may include feeling thirsty, fatigue and cramps (legs or abdominal). If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke.

For the sake of our child’s safety let’s be reminded that kids need us to teach them, guide them and protect them.

 

 

 

Don't leave Safety at home this vacation

School’s almost out for the kids and summer vacation plans are in full mode. So whether you’re heading to the beach or to the mountains, plan your family vacation time with safety in mind as diligently as you do while home.

Here are some safety tips to help you plan:

The pool
Risk of drowning is ever-present when you’re near water, but you can dramatically reduce that risk by choosing a hotel, motel or vacation property with a fence around the pool and spa. Also, most community pools will not have a lifeguard on duty, so never leave your children unattended. Even if there is a lifeguard on duty, you can't guarantee they are watching your child over the several others in the pool. Vacation or not, you are never on vacation from your children.

Balconies

Make sure that balconies don’t have wide railings that a youngster could fit through and that they’re high enough to prevent children from climbing over and falling. Even if the balcony looks fine in the brochure, remember that not all rooms are necessarily the same so it’s always best to double check.

Windows and doors
Not all hotels and motels are designed for child safety, so check that windows can only open inches and not entirely allowing a child to fall out. Check that door locks are up out of children’s reach and even check that if there’s a connecting door (to another room) make sure it is locked from your side as well. Report any concerns to your hotel management immediately.

Beds
Poor fitting mattresses and safety rails could present a risk of suffocation or injury to small children, so consider a playpen, renting a crib or with our kids we have them bring their sleeping bags. I’d be upset to sleep on the floor of a hotel room; they actually want to do it. Kids.

Tubs and toilets

Not much is different here than at home, but in a smaller space than your home they seem to be even more exciting to children to invade. First thing I do is check the bathroom when I check into my room. I really did have a room once that had the tub filled with about 4 inches of water (let’s remember, it only takes 1 inch for a child to drown). Thankfully, I was not with my children and it was just poor housekeeping, but ‘accidents happen’ is more than just a saying. It’s hard to keep kids out of the bathroom, so I close the door and truly barricade it with stuff that will create enough noise that alerts me that they are on the move.

Baby monitor
You use them at home, and they’re small enough to pack, so make sure to pack one. It’s worth choosing one with a long range as you may be a bit further away than you’d normally be at home if you’re sitting out on the balcony or terrace. A monitor placed next to your child’s sleeping area will alert you if they stop breathing, start crying or if there’s an intruder. You can even get video monitors for added peace of mind.

Making sure your children are safe when you’re staying in a place you don’t know is just a matter of awareness and planning. You can’t wrap them in bubble wrap, but you can do some upfront checking on the important stuff in advance and take sensible precautions while you’re away. There’s no reason why you can’t relax and enjoy your vacation also.