Warmer weather typically means fresh air, camping trips and fun in the sun and water. Keep your children safe this summer with these 5 safety tips.
Practice Water Safety
From a backyard swimming pool to a weekend at the beach or lake, always be aware of the dangers of water with young children. Even if your child can swim, never allow swimming alone or unsupervised. Always empty or secure your pool, and make sure your child’s life vest is properly fitted.
Use a Helmet When Biking
Accidents happen. So make sure your child is sporting a properly fitted bike helmet, which is the single most effective way to avoid head injuries from bicycle crashes. Let your children pick their own helmets and they will be more likely to wear them regularly.
Always Use Sunscreen
Regardless of age, never leave the house without first applying a sunscreen with a minimum of 15 sun protective factor (SPF). Younger children need additional protection from the sun, so a higher SPF sunscreen should be applied every few hours. Don’t forget a sunhat, too
Avoid Burns
Whether you’re roasting marshmallows or grilling your favorite meal, avoid painful burns by communicating with children the dangers of hot surfaces. Never leave your children unsupervised, even for a moment, and always have an extinguisher and items on hand to treat a burn.
Prevent Second Story Falls
Window screens alone will not prevent a child from falling from second story windows. Instead, leave windows reachable by children closed, or install window stops or operable window guards and don’t leave windows open more than 4 inches.