The long, hot days of summer are still here, but already many of us are dreaming of days when the weather cools and brings the colors of autumn. But don’t let your guard down yet. Parents and families should continue to take care. Summer heat and the various outdoor activities we engage in outside of our usual routines bring with it an edge of danger.
Here are tips for continued summer safety for you and your loved ones.
- Watch the water play.
According to the US National Safety Council, between the ages of 5 and 24, drowning is the second most common cause of death.
Parents should always accompany their child to a water play area. Safety experts suggest that parents learn how to administer CPR and other rescue techniques. Children should know to never swim by themselves and only to swim in areas that are supervised by adults or lifeguards.
- Practice safe enjoyment of outdoor activities.
Summer is a time when kids and parents get to try out new sports and other activities that aren’t a part of their usual routine. From motorboats to ziplining to skateboarding and more. However, Houston injury attorneys warn that a serious injury can be enough to sideline a person for good.
Make sure that you take safety guidelines for each activity to heart. Emphasize to your children the importance of following instructions that are given when trying out any new activity. You do not want to frighten your child, but at the same time you want them to know that injuries are no laughing matter.
- Don’t compete with the heat.
Children under the age of 4 years old are at the greatest risk of heat stroke. But that’s not to say that children above 4 are off the hook. Everyone is susceptible to heat stroke if caution is not taken.
The best defense is to prevent the risk by staying out of direct sunlight. Plan for any outdoor activities during the coolest times of the day. If you must go out during midday heat, make sure all the members of your family wear hats and are covered to protect from sunburns. Other tips for staying safe include staying hydrated and cooling off with showers at the first sign of overheating.
- Don’t leave food out.
Summer temperatures can surprise you with their intensity. Food poisoning during the summer can happen when you least expect it. Perhaps you have been used to leaving a plate of food on the counter and returning to it in a couple of hours? During the summer, leaving food out could lead to a case of food poisoning.
The FDA gives guidelines on their site about how long food can be left out. If the temperature is higher than 90° F, then it needs to go back into the fridge after 1 hour. To play it safe, during the hottest days of summer, everything that isn’t going to be eaten immediately should be tucked away in your fridge.
- Dodge bees, bugs, and bites.
It’s not just children who are out in full force during the summer. Summer weather is prime time for the insect world. But there are steps you can take to make yourself less attractive to mosquitoes, bees, and other crawlers.
Bees like fragrances and floral patterns. Avoid both when choosing clothing for your children. Dress your children in clothes that provide coverage and that are lightweight and breathable. Use bug repellent spray whenever you go to the park or other area that has heavy mosquito traffic. Mosquito netting around baby strollers is another helpful way to keep mosquito bites at bay.
Most of the items that on this list are things we are aware of, but it can be easy to relax as summer’s end nears. Keep your family safe by staying aware even while you enjoy your quality family time.
Read More Here: The Ultimate Guide to Swimming safety for Kids!
