Have a fun and safe summer

Summer is here and that means longer days, warm and sunny weather…and of course, summer vacation and kids home from school. As your kids take advantage of the nice weather and enjoy outside activities, be sure to keep them safe!

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind this summer.

Sun Safety: Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays can be damaging to your body over time. Even just a few sunburns can be harmful. According to the National Safety Council, excess UV radiation through the years can cause skin cancer, eye damage, immune system suppression and premature aging. Be sure your children are protected from the sun whenever they are outside by wearing sunscreen.

Heat Safety: Heat illnesses occur when your body is exposed to too much heat. This can range from heat exhaustion to the more serious heat stroke. Infants and toddlers are especially susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don’t leave children in a parked car as the heat in vehicles can quickly rise and become life-threatening. Participating in strenuous activities during hot weather can also be dangerous, so limit these activities to the cooler hours in the morning and early evening. Be sure to keep kids hydrated with water. Between the hot weather and physical activity, they’ll need more water to stay hydrated than usual.

Water Safety: According to the CDC, every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Many drownings (or near drownings) occur when a child falls into a pool or is left alone in the bathtub, so do not leave your child unattended around water. In fact, babies can drown in as little as an inch of water. Be sure to empty bathtubs and wading pools immediately after use to prevent potential water accidents.

Fireworks Safety: Independence Day is just around the corner. And what would the Fourth of July be without fireworks? Despite the fun and enjoyment people get from fireworks, thousands of people, mostly children and teens, are injured by fireworks on the Fourth of July. According to the NFPA, in 2012, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,700 people for fireworks related injuries. The risk of fireworks injury was highest for people ages 15-24, followed by children under 10. Fireworks can cause serious burn injuries so always supervise children during fireworks activities. (Many parents don’t realize how hot sparklers burn!) Always keep a bucket of water handy in which to place your fireworks, and also to use in case of any accident or mishap.

Bug Safety: Being covered in bug bites is no fun so be sure your child has an effective insect repellant on when outdoors. The CDC recommends a variety of effective products and suggests checking for the active ingredients DEET, picaridin, IR 3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. The CDC also notes that most pediatricians recommend using products with 3 percent or less of these ingredients on kids.

Have a fun and safe summer!

Information compiled from National Safety Council, NFPA, Safe Kids Worldwide and the CDC.