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6 summer safety tips for kids

Summer means school is out, pools and beaches are open and many fun-filled adventures await families and kids. But more fun can sometimes mean more potential for danger. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that unintentional injuries including falls, burns and drowning are the leading cause of death in children ages 19 and younger, but most of these childhood injuries can be prevented.

So while parents and caregivers are on the lookout for the most exciting activities for kids, they should also be extra vigilant about summer safety. The watchful eye of a responsible adult can mean the difference between a summer of fun and one overcome with tragedy.

Here are six safety tips to keep top of mind when having fun with kids during the summer months.

1. Stay on high-alert near water

Drowning is one of the most common and preventable summertime dangers, and it can easily happen in the place you’d consider the safest: at home. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children ages 1 to 14, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. In fact, reports the CDC, drowning kills more kids ages 1 to 4 than anything else except birth defects.

“The majority of drownings and near-drownings occur in residential swimming pools and in open water sites,” says Natalia Bergmen, child safety expert and spokesperson for Boo Boo Busters, which provides professional baby-proofing and home safety services. The comforts of home can give parents a false sense of safety and lead them to let their guard down. But where there is water and kids, parents and caregivers should always be extra cautious. “Make sure there are pool fences, door alarms and door locks,̶1; says Bergmen, ̶0;and we encourage swim lessons and CPR training.”

Still, even the most sophisticated fences, locks and alarms can fail. And even the most incredible kid swimmers are still kids who may be vulnerable in the water. So, it’s always important to keep a watchful eye on any open water and never get too comfortable, even when it seems like everything is under control.

2. Never leave kids alone in cars

Most families rely on their cars to get from activity to activity during the summer, but parents may not consider that all of that extra time in the car has dangers of its own. According to the safety organization Kids and Cars, an average of 39 children die each year in hot cars in the U.S. — that means the loss of one child’s life every 9 days.

“It doesn’t have to be a hot, sunny day for temperatures inside a car to quickly rise to dangerous levels,” Bergmen says.

Children should never be left in cars alone. They may not know how or be able to exit the car on their own if it gets too warm.

Bergmen also recommends car seats be properly installed and seat belts worn at all times — whether on a road trip across the country or just a quick trip to the grocery store. And don’t forget: The back seat is the safest place for all children.

3. Carry SPF 30 and above to apply at all times

“Kids’ skin is more susceptible to damage from sun, so its very important that they wear hats and don’t spend too much time in the sun,” says Dr. G. Remington Brooks, medical director of the Princeton Wound Care Center. “If they do, they should always wear sunblock with an SPF greater than 30, and remember that it doesn’t last forever and should be applied every couple of hours.”

When possible, find shade between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun is the most direct, and always wear broad spectrum sunblock that offers both UVA and UVB protection. Though UVB rays only burn the superficial layers of your skin, they are responsible for most of the pesky sunburns you get in the summer sun and are closely tied to the development of skin cancers. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and can lead to wrinkles and signs of aging. So it’s important to protect yourself from both kinds of sun rays.

4. Beware of burn hazards

According to the CDC, over 300 children between the ages 0 to 19 are treated for burns in emergency rooms every day and two of those kids die as a result of being burned. In the summer, there are the obvious culprits that involve open flames, like barbecue grills and decorative tiki torches. But there are other dangers you may not even have on your radar like your outdoor hose, which can pose serious burn hazards for kids at home.

In San Tan Valley, Arizona, a 9-month-old child was hospitalized after he suffered second-degree burns on 30% of his body when he was sprayed by water from a hose that heated to scalding temperatures in the sun.

“Dangers are always around, and people have to be mindful to keep kids away from anything that gets very hot,” Brooks says.

Playground equipment and the metal parts of objects like seatbelts can also become incredibly hot if left in the sun, so teach kids to exercise caution when coming into contact with them.

5. Watch out for accidental poisonings

Depending on the climate you’re in, the summer months can produce swarms of harmful insects. To combat this, we often douse ourselves in chemical-filled bug sprays, too much of which can cause reactions in those with the most sensitive systems. Similarly, it’s important to watch out for food-borne illnesses from things like undercooked meat at a family barbecue.  

“The summer presents its own set of unique challenges,” says Edward Walrod, a spokesperson for the American Association of Poison Control Centers. “Pesticide (bug sprays, cleaners, etc.), foods during summer celebrations and even the weather presents dangers.”

According to the CDC, every day, over 300 children ages 0 to 19 in the U.S. are treated in emergency departments, and two children die, as a result of being poisoned. There are ways to ensure you and your loved ones can enjoy a poison-free summer.

“Keep any and all medicines, pesticides and substances out of reach of children and properly stored, and make sure all food is properly stored and cooked all the way through,” Walrod says.

If you suspect that your kids have come in contact with a poison, do not hesitate to call the National Poison Help Hotline at 800-222-1222, or use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool.

6. Make your home a safety fortress

For many kids, summertime means more time to spend at home. While it isn’t practical to pad all the walls in your home with foam or to bubble-wrap your kids, keeping an eye out for these less obvious dangers can help you avoid accidents:

• Secure everyday household items.
• Stabilize furniture.
• Keep doors locked.
• Keep your eyes peeled for unexpected safety hazards like cords, wires and sharp objects.

“The cords on blinds can be a hazard, because many times they hang too low and become a toy for a young child, leading to a strangulation problem,” says baby-proofing expert Jeff Gansky. “Installing a cleat to wrap the cord around will keep it out of reach.”   

Whether you’re at home or out and about, just staying educated and vigilant can help prevent catastrophe and keep everyone happy while they’re beating the summer heat.