Though the summer is full of fun outdoor activities and sunshine for children to take a part of, every parent worries about the safety of their child. During the summer, children are home from school, making themselves susceptible to different types of hazards. If you’re worried about keeping your kids safe during the summer, here are some of the must-know tips.
Be one-step-ahead of the sun
With the summer coming, that means the heat is coming along with it. Though your children will love spending time in the sun and running through the sprinkler in the backyard, the heat can creep up on them. Your children should be out of the sun’s strongest rays which are between 10 am and 2 pm. During that time, make sure your children are kept in shaded areas. In addition, make sure you apply sunscreen on your child which contains both UVA and UVB protection.
Swimming pool safety
Of course, your kids are going to want to jump right into the swimming pool – who wouldn’t! But before you let your children go into any pool, make sure they’re aware of the rules. Having them learn how to swim will increase their safety in the pool as drownings are the most common cause of death in young children. Also, the swimming pool itself should have protective devices implemented such as fences like the Pool Guard USA.
Keep them hydrated
We tend to get sidetracked when we’re outside basking in the sun or playing in the pool. But heat exhaustion is a huge problem during the summer season. If a person’s temperature isn’t properly regulated, they can become susceptible to heat strokes. Making sure that your child is drinking enough water will help prevent this from occurring.
Keep an eye out for bugs
Though most bugs are harmless, some can really pack a good sting. Depending on your child’s reaction to bug bites, some bites could be fatal. If you’re going in wooded or forested areas, make sure that you guard against insects such as bees. Make sure you’re not leaving out food or drinks by your children and have them dress in non-floral patterned clothing for extra protection.
Teach them about food
We never pay much attention to food poisoning during the winter, however, when the hot summer heat rolls around, this can become a huge problem. You’ll need to teach your kids the importance of washing their hands and understanding the dangers of eating food that’s been left out on the counter for long periods of time. If they’re unsure about whether or not they can eat something, they should be encouraged to ask an adult. That way, they can prevent themselves from getting sick.
Bonfire safety
Fire, though beautiful to look at, can be very dangerous. Now that summer’s coming, more and more people will have BBQs and fire pits. This is the perfect opportunity to teach your child about the importance of being safe around an open flame and what they should do in case they get burned. Having them know how to treat a burn will come in handy.