School’s
out and summer is in full swing! Summer is one of the best times of the year.
The kids are out of school and longer hours in the day mean the more fun you
can have with your family. Here are a few safety tips to take care of your
loved ones to ensure the best summer you can have.
Water Safety
Drowning
is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 1 and 4
years old, and the third leading cause of death among children. So water safety
is definitely important. Make sure to stay within an arm’s length of children
in and around water, no matter if it’s a pool, a bathtub, a toilet, or a lake. It
is legally required that you must have a fence around your pool or spa. Empty
large buckets or kiddie pools after using them and store them upside down when
not in use. Make sure children always swim with an adult, and keep in mind that
no one should swim alone. If you can, make sure someone is available that knows
how to give CPR. If not, keep a phone handy for any emergency calls that may
arise. If you are boating, make sure everyone wears a life jacket approved by
the US Coast Guard. If you are on jet skis or other personal watercraft, use a
helmet when possible.
Bike, Skateboarding, Skating and Sports Safety
First
and foremost in summer recreation is to wear a helmet. Helmets can reduce the
risk of severe brain injuries by 88%. When bicycling, ride your bike on the
right side of the road, with traffic. Use appropriate hand signals and respect
traffic signals like stop signs as if you were in a car. Make eye contact with
drivers to make sure they see you and are going to stop to let you cross the
street. If riding at dusk, dawn, or evening, use lights. Make sure your bike
has reflectors and wear reflective clothing if possible. Kids under the age of
5 should never ride a skateboard as they are at an increased risk for serious
injury. Limit skating to bike paths or areas of a park specifically designed
for skating. To minimize the impact of a fall, crouch down as you’re losing
balance to reduce the distance to the ground. If your board or skate has a
crack, loose or broken part, do not use it until it is repaired.
For
sports, summertime can be a dangerous time. The heat can get high and if you’re
not properly hydrated, you can get seriously ill or injured quickly. Before
practice or games, make sure you stretch and warm up. Drink water 30 minutes
before activity begins and every 15-20 minutes during activity. Wear the proper
safety gear for your sport or activity. It is mandated that coaches be
certified in First Aid and CPR. Make sure there is an emphasis on concussion
recognition for every adult associated with the activity. If an injury of any
kind occurs, rest is key after proper treatment has been given.
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