Summer is the time to kick back, relax, take family vacations, play outside and enjoy the warm weather. It's also a time when accidents are likely to happen because people are outdoors and more active. Lee Beers, M.D., pediatrician at the Children's National Medical Center, recommends following some tips for summer safety.
First Aid Kit
Make sure you have an up-to-date First Aid kit with all the essential supplies. Things you'll need include an antiseptic spray, antibiotic ointment, anti-inflammatory pain-reliever, burn cream, anti-itch cream or spray, assorted bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, cotton balls, eye wash, a cold pack, scissors, smelling salts and tweezers. Also include disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, sunburn spray or lotion, wet wipes, a First Aid booklet and CPR instructions. For travel, you may want to add medication that helps decrease nausea. Check the dates on all consumable items and replace anything that has expired.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Disney's Family Fun website advises keeping a list of emergency contact numbers near your phone. These numbers include 911 or other emergency numbers, the number for the local poison control center and a list of emergency numbers with the closest relatives and neighbors.
Sports Precautions
The risk of injury increases when playing sports, so provide safety equipment specific to each activity. Do a thorough check on all bicycles, inline skates and other items that will be used. Provide helmets, shin guards, knee pads, elbow pads and mouth guards, depending on the sports.
A helmet should fit properly and be worn snugly. Replace all helmets every three to five years or when they show signs of breaking down, advises the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Disney's Family Fun website recommends providing goggles and ear plugs for swimmers.
Water Safety
Water sports are attractive on hot summer days. Enjoy participating, but exercise caution. Even if children know how to swim, never leave them unsupervised, even for a few seconds. Have flotation devices and a telephone nearby in case of emergency. Display written water rules, including no diving in shallow water less than 9-feet deep and no running, pushing, using glass in the pool area or swimming unless there is a supervising adult or lifeguard present.
Everyone should get out of the pool at the first sign of a lightening strike. Home pools should have a childproof fence with a self-locking gate.
Fireworks
During events such as Independence Day, fireworks can quickly turn into a disaster if safety rules aren't followed. Anything that ignites or pops can pose a serious risk to children. Parents are better off taking their children to observe the fireworks displays from a distance, leaving the handling of fireworks to trained professionals advises Dr. Beers. Small children should never be given any type of fireworks, including sparklers and firecrackers.
