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Safety Tips
 Summer is a great time for kids to play outdoors, but it’s also a prime season for
injuries and illnesses. Here are some tips on keeping your kids healthy and safe throughout the season.
SUN SAFETY
- Keep babies six months and younger out of the sun because their eyes are especially sensitive to sunlight and sunscreen may irritate their skin
- Apply water-resistant sun screen to kids’ skin about 30 minutes before they go out, even if it’s cloudy outside
- Have kids wear ultraviolet protective sunglasses and hats for sun protection
- Keep in mind that DEET, an ingredient in insect repellant, lowers the effectiveness of sunscreen. Use a higher SPF if you are using a combination product or if you’re applying insect repellant
WATER SAFETY
- Teach kids to swim, but never let them swim without adult supervision
- Never turn your back on a child. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the telephone, and in as little as two inches of water
- Always put kids in life jackets when on a lake, river or ocean
- Warn children not to play in canals and other fast moving water
- Don’t allow running or rough play in or around the water
- Childproof your swimming pool with a fence (at least four feet high) with a self closing, self latching gate. You should also have a fence around your yard
BICYCLE SAFETY
- Children should always wear helmets when bicycling. According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, helmets can prevent up to 88 percent of brain injuries
- Make sure helmets fit properly. The bottom rim of the helmet should be one or two fingers above the child’s eyebrows. The strap should be snug but comfortable, and form a “V” under the child’s ears
- Restrict kids to sidewalks and paths until age 10. When kids are old enough to ride in the road, teach them traffic rules and make sure they follow them
GENERAL SAFETY
- Kids should drink three to six ounces of water every 15 minutes when outdoors. This will help reduce the risk of heat exhaustion
- Keep children away from work areas where walk-behind, riding or hand-held power equipment are in use, and store the ignition keys to outdoor equipment away from the equipment itself when not in use
- Riding mowers should never carry passengers – especially children – or tow trailers filled with children
- When using insect repellents, apply the product only to exposed skin or clothing – never underneath clothing. Do not saturate skin or clothing; apply only a thin film. Wash skin and clothing after returning indoors
For additional information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
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