Summer Safety Tips for Kids
By Shondell Varcianna
July 04, 2014
Lifestyle
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Summer is a fun time for kids. It is also the time when they are most likely to sustain injuries that require medical attention. According to some estimates, 40% of all injury-related emergency room visits and 42% of all injury-related deaths in a year take place in the four months between May and August. Most of the accidents are avoidable. Here are some summer safety tips to keep your kids safe and happy during the summer.
1. Protecting your kids against sunburn:
Sunburn can be a real fun spoiler. It doesn't just give your kids swollen and painful skin; it can significantly increase their chances of developing melanoma, a cancer of the skin. Fortunately, there is a simple way to prevent sunburn. Apply water-resistant sunscreen that provides protection from UVA and UVB rays every day. For best protection, choose a sunscreen that has a SPF rating of at least 30 and apply it between 15 and 30 minutes before going outside.
2. Preventing dehydration:
Dehydration is one of the main causes of illnesses in kids during the summer. Its symptoms include dizziness, dry mouth, irritation, lethargy and fatigue. If immediate action is not taken, it can be a real fun-spoiler. To prevent your kids from becoming dehydrated, give them water daily. If they don't like to drink water, you can give them sports drinks. But avoid giving them pop and other unhealthy liquids. Staying hydrated also protects your kids (and you) from heat stroke.
3. Keeping your kids safe at the playground:
Playground-related injuries are quite common among children during the summer. To keep your kids safe, check the playground equipment before letting them play. Make sure that their surfaces are not too hot, that there are no sharp edges and projections, and that there are no broken or unhinged parts and loose ropes. Also, make sure that the ground is covered with protective material such as rubber mats and wood chips.
4. Preventing bike-related injuries:
Bike-related injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to serious head injuries. There is a simple way to protect your kids while riding their bike: Ensure that they wear a helmet. Also, make sure that the bike is the right size for your child. Do not let them ride oversized bikes. If your child has outgrown his/her bike, replace it with a new one immediately.
5. Keeping your kids safe in the swimming pool:
Swimming pools can be quite dangerous if there is no supervision. To prevent injuries from happening to your kids, never leave them alone while they are swimming. If you have a swimming pool at home, install fencing around it with a self-closing and self-latching gate.
What are some of your summer safety tips?
Picture by Shardayyy
1. Protecting your kids against sunburn:
Sunburn can be a real fun spoiler. It doesn't just give your kids swollen and painful skin; it can significantly increase their chances of developing melanoma, a cancer of the skin. Fortunately, there is a simple way to prevent sunburn. Apply water-resistant sunscreen that provides protection from UVA and UVB rays every day. For best protection, choose a sunscreen that has a SPF rating of at least 30 and apply it between 15 and 30 minutes before going outside.
2. Preventing dehydration:
Dehydration is one of the main causes of illnesses in kids during the summer. Its symptoms include dizziness, dry mouth, irritation, lethargy and fatigue. If immediate action is not taken, it can be a real fun-spoiler. To prevent your kids from becoming dehydrated, give them water daily. If they don't like to drink water, you can give them sports drinks. But avoid giving them pop and other unhealthy liquids. Staying hydrated also protects your kids (and you) from heat stroke.
3. Keeping your kids safe at the playground:
Playground-related injuries are quite common among children during the summer. To keep your kids safe, check the playground equipment before letting them play. Make sure that their surfaces are not too hot, that there are no sharp edges and projections, and that there are no broken or unhinged parts and loose ropes. Also, make sure that the ground is covered with protective material such as rubber mats and wood chips.
4. Preventing bike-related injuries:
Bike-related injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to serious head injuries. There is a simple way to protect your kids while riding their bike: Ensure that they wear a helmet. Also, make sure that the bike is the right size for your child. Do not let them ride oversized bikes. If your child has outgrown his/her bike, replace it with a new one immediately.
5. Keeping your kids safe in the swimming pool:
Swimming pools can be quite dangerous if there is no supervision. To prevent injuries from happening to your kids, never leave them alone while they are swimming. If you have a swimming pool at home, install fencing around it with a self-closing and self-latching gate.
What are some of your summer safety tips?
Picture by Shardayyy