Right now is most kids’ favorite time of year!
School will be out soon, there will be plenty of things to do outdoors, and it is time to hang out with friends! Family trips to swimming pools and more will keep everyone busy.
Keep in mind that summer can be a dangerous time as well. Sun burns, outdoor injuries, heat sickness, dehydration and more can happen to anyone. Here are some tips for keeping your kids and your whole family more safe and healthy this summer. These are not all of the tips you should know, but this covers many of them.
Sun burns – Don’t forget to prepare for sun exposure. Whether you use sunscreen or not, it is very important to pay attention to how much time is being spent in direct sunlight.
One good tip is to keep a close eye on the UV index for each day. You can find this information on weather apps and weather websites. Anything over 6 is high. Anything over 7 is very high and anything over 10 is extreme UV sunlight. If you need to be out in the sun, try to go out on days with a UV index below 6.
Always have shade options available for your family. In addition, be sure that everyone has a good hat or good sunglasses to protect their eyes from UV damage.
Outdoor injuries – If you like to take your family out on adventures in the woods, be aware of any falls, trips or knee scrapes they might get. Avoid trails that are too difficult for kids. Take them out on well maintained trails. Keep a close eye out for snakes, bears, or other dangerous animals.
Heat sickness – Sometimes your best intentions won’t be enough to beat the heat. Even if you stay hydrated and out of the sun, the heat can still get to you and your family. Try to keep ice packs handy, and invest in some cooling tools such as portable fans. Encourage playing in a sprinkler or other water based activities to keep everyone cooler and more comfortable. Spend plenty of time indoors while using air conditioning to cool off quicker.
Dehydration – Sometimes we can get so busy that we think we are drinking enough water but we actually aren’t. Take more than enough water with you when you go anywhere. Take frequent breaks to drink water and rest for a few minutes.
Getting hit by cars – It is very important to teach your kids to stay out of the road at all times. Do not let your kids play with balls near a road. Do not allow your kids to chase after balls in the road. Do not leave your children unsupervised near roads. Do not allow kids to watch over small animals near a road or chase animals into a road. Use common sense and everything should work out!
Drowning in pools – For avoiding drowning during swimming, it is most important to keep watching your kids the entire time they are in the water. Ideally, you should be in the water with small children to save them much faster if they go under. Make sure your kids know how to swim very well before allowing them to swim without you.
Getting bit by bugs – It is critical that you try to prevent Lyme disease or infections of bug bites. Avoid being around bugs that can hurt your family. Use bug spray and repellents whenever possible. Do not let your kids play in tall grass where ticks live. Make sure your kids get their bug bites treated if they look swollen or feel hard and hot to the touch.
Getting hit by storms – High winds, lightning, and tornadoes are no joke. Watch the weather forecast whenever possible. If your kids are outside playing somewhere you are not with them, make sure there aren’t any storms coming. Teach them to come home quickly if they hear thunder, see lightning, or hear any tornado sirens.
Well, there you have it! Hopefully these suggestions will remind you about ways you can prevent any issues this summer. Get out there and enjoy it!