There are so many reasons to love summer. School’s out, beautiful weather, beach days, pool trips, bike riding and cookouts! It is easy to have fun in the summer but it is really important to stay safe.
Drink Lots of Water
Hot weather means your body needs more water, especially if you are out in the sun all day. Stay hydrated by keeping water with you at all times. If your child starts saying they are thirsty or your baby is cranky, then give them water. Light-headedness may be a sign of dehydration.
Sunscreen
Another important thing to remember when you’re having fun in the sun is sunscreen. Sunscreen is vital for avoiding burns. Too much sun can be harmful to your child’s and your skin. Cover up with hats and sunglasses as well. Not only will you avoid burns but you will also keep your skin healthy. Go with an SPF of 15 to 45. Reapply sunscreen often and remember to get often missed places like ears and scalps.
Pool Safety
If you’re thinking of taking any trips to the pool this summer, there are many things you have to remember for safety. Never let a child go near a pool without an adult. If you own a pool, keep the gate closed so children can’t enter alone. Always keep an eye on children while swimming and even have them go in with a buddy. Do not rely on pool toys like noodles and inner tubes as life-saving devices. When at the beach, stay with your children in the water and don’t let them go too far in.
Don’t Leave Kids or Pets in Cars
Do not leave children in the car on a hot summer day. The inside of a car can reach 109 degrees in 10 minutes. We actually baked cookies in a car when the temperature outside was 100 degrees! Wipe down buckles and car seats with a cool wash cloth so that the hot metal does not burn your child.
Bike Safety
If your child wants to ride her bike this summer teach her about bike safety. Go over road signs with her and help her memorize what they mean with a matching game. Draw a mock road map with chalk on the driveway for practice. Hand signals are an important lesson so that like a car, your child can signal to other cars if she is turning. Always remember helmets. Also, make sure when approaching a driveway they stop and look to make sure a car is not backing out.
Playground Fun
Playgrounds are a fun place to visit on nice days. To avoid accidents keep an eye on your child. Make sure there is soft ground to fall on at the bottom of a slide or swing. Watch out for other children near swings and slides so that they don’t hit each other.
Enjoy the summer and stay safe!
