It’s officially summer, which means we’re all spending more time outdoors – in the sun, in the water, and in the heat. That’s why we need to remain especially attentive to safety so summer stays fun for all of us. Children’s Health has a list of 10 Summer Safety Tips for Kids:
- Keep watch to prevent drowning.
- Look for signs of heat exhaustion.
- Check for car safety.
- Protect skin from the sun.
- Avoid bug bites.
- Enjoy fireworks safely.
- Drink enough water.
- Don’t monkey around.
- Wear life jackets on boats.
- Ride bikes the smart way.
Learn more about each of these tips on their website.
As you can see, they’re self-explanatory, but each one poses a real risk to the health of children – as well as adults, particularly older ones.
It’s hot out there. As our summers warm, we should be especially attentive to the risks of heat exhaustion. Here are a few tips from the American Red Cross:
- Drink enough water to prevent heat illness. An average person needs to drink about 3/4 of a gallon of water daily.
- You can check that you are getting enough water by noting your urine color. Dark yellow may indicate you are not drinking enough.
- Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
- If you are sweating a lot, combine water with snacks or a sports drink to replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
- Do not rely only on electric fans during extreme heat. When temperatures are in the high 90s, fans may not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
- Spending a few hours each day in air conditioning can help prevent heat illness.
- If you have air conditioning, be sure that it is in working order.
- If you do not have air conditioning or if there is a power outage, find locations where you can stay cool. For example, a public library, shopping mall, or a public cooling center.
- Wear lightweight, loose clothing.
What about you? Is there room around your picnic table for children this summer? If so, let’s help
