Summer Safety Tips

Summertime. School’s out, the sun’s up and the fun is never-ending. Well, that is until you’ve got a bad sunburn that hurts! Summer is packed full of fun activities to do outside but let’s not forget some important safety guidelines to keep us happy, healthy and playing all summer long!

Sun Protection

Have you ever had a sunburn so bad that you could barely move? I have! Let me tell you, getting burned is no fun! Make sure you are putting sunscreen on your kids before playing outside or swimming. It is recommended that you apply it 30 minutes before exposure to the sun and to reapply every two hours or more frequently if swimming in the pool!

Water Safety

Speaking of swimming…make sure you talk to your kids about pool safety! They should never be around a pool without adult supervision the whole time they are near or in the pool! Running near or around a pool can be dangerous so make sure they know that no running is allowed. Flotation devices can be helpful but they are no substitute to adult supervision. Swimming lessons could be a great summer activity!

Bug Bite Safety

It’s amazing how something so little can cause such a big annoyance. Bug bites are the worst! They are itchy and can be painful. Some bites, like those that come from ticks, can even cause illness and disease. Make sure if you are going camping or in an area where there are mosquitos or ticks, you are applying bug repellant! Bug repellant isn’t a fool-proof way to avoid being bitten. A great way to make sure you and your kids aren’t bitten is to wear long pants and light-weight long sleeve shirts, especially while camping. And make sure to check thoroughly for tick bites after being outside and if you find one, remove it as soon as possible!

Heat Safety

The temperature can get hot during the summer! Kids don’t often think about drinking water to keep them hydrated. On your trips to the park, make sure to bring along plenty of water, take breaks from running around in the shade and don’t be outside for too long. Dehydration is dangerous, especially in young children so if you see any signs of heat-related illness, seek medical attention quickly.

Preventing injury or illness is the best way to keep the fun lasting all summer long!

For more tips of summer safety, visit PBS.org or CDC.gov.

What are some other ways you are going to keep safe while having fun this summer? Share in the comments below!