Summer is a great time for outdoor play, sports and activities. Unfortunately, outdoor activities can sometimes lead to injuries. Here are some tips to help keep kids safe this summer.
Pool and water safety
- Never leave children alone in or near a pool or other body of water, even for a moment.
- Be sure pools have fences and gates that kids cannot open.
- Remember that floats and toys will not prevent drowning.
- Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should always be within arm’s reach.
- Children should wear life jackets or vests at all times when on boats or near bodies of water.
Bug safety
- Avoid scented soaps, perfumes and hair sprays.
- Don’t dress your child in clothing with bright colors
- Insect repellents that contain DEET are the most effective. This year, the CDC is also recommending Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus along with DEET as effective repellents.
- DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
Bicycle and skateboard safety
- A helmet protects your child from serious injury and should always be worn. Wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit, and many accidents happen on sidewalks and driveways.
- Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.
Lawn mower safety
- Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
- Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing.
- Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.
- Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.
- Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.
- Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.
Heat stress in exercising children
- The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever heat and humidity reach very high levels.
- Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, e.g., each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 88 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 132 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
- Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated garments should be replaced by dry garments.
