Top 10 Summer Safety Tips for Kids

As the temperatures heat up, keep the risk of injuries down with these safety tips from your friends at KidsStreet!

The summer months bring opportunities to ditch electronic devices and get active while enjoying the great outdoors. A new season can bring new safety concerns, but we’ve got you covered with tips to help your kiddo stay safe.

Pool Precautions

Many kids look forward to cooling off and playing in the swimming pool during the warm summer months. Swimming is excellent exercise for people of all ages!

However, drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death in children ages 1 to 4 and among the top three causes in children under 19. Drowning can happen in a few seconds and as little as one inch of water.

Here are some recommendations to keep your kiddo splashing safely all summer long:

• Always supervise your child while they are in or around the pool.
• Empty and put away inflatable pools after use.
• Remove toys from the pool after swimming so children are not tempted to reach in.
• Consider swimming lessons for your little one.
• Install safety devices for your backyard pool, such as fencing, alarms and pool covers.

Lake Lookout

Water safety extends to lake outings as well. Swimming in open bodies of water is different than a swimming pool because:

• The depth of water is unclear.
• Bacteria can grow in open water.

Helpful tips for a safe lake day include:

• Always supervise your child while they are in or around water.
• Always place your kiddo in a properly fitted life jacket, whether they are in the water or on the boat.
• Consider taking a boater safety course.

Inspect for open cuts or wounds before allowing your child in open water. Bacteria may invade open cuts and cause infection.

Smart Skincare

Sunburns don’t have to be an inevitable part of summer. Preventing severe sunburn in children can decrease their risk of skin cancer later in life. Wearing broad spectrum sunscreen is the best place to start, and here are some more specific tips:

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin at least 30 minutes before sun exposure.
• Choose a water-resistant sunscreen.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours and anytime your child comes out of the water.
• Take frequent breaks from the sun in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
• Try out sun-protective clothing, especially for young children.

Learn more about preventing and treating sunburn with KidsStreet.

Heat Hazards

Fun in the sun poses a risk for heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Young children are especially susceptible because their bodies do not cool off as quickly as adults. Keys to preventing heat hazards include:

• Staying hydrated
• Taking frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas
• Watching for signs of heat exhaustion, such as
  • Body temperature between 100 and 104 F
  • Clammy, cool skin
  • Cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Increased thirst
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness

Bug Bite Blues

Ants, bees, mosquitos, spiders and ticks love summer too! Here’s how to fend off the little critters:

• Use an insect repellant with 30% DEET for children over two months old.
• Dress your little ones in lightweight, long pants, shirts, and closed shoes when venturing into the woods.
• Avoid standing water where bugs like to gather.

Learn more about preventing and treating insect bites with KidsStreet.

Winning on Wheels

Bicycles, skates and scooters are summer favorites but are not without risk. To keep your kiddo safely rolling through the summer, make sure:

• They wear a properly fitted and Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet.
• Their bike is the appropriate size and in good condition, with inflated tires and working brakes.
• They dress in bright and reflective clothing so others can see them.
• They know the rules of the road, such as stopping at traffic signs and hand signals for turning.

Pro-tip: Your child is much more likely to wear their helmet if they get to pick out a helmet they like and if they see you wearing your helmet.

Firework Fun

One of the highlights of summer is celebrating holidays with bright, colorful fireworks. Fireworks are fun to watch, but they can be dangerous to handle. More than 10,000 people in the United States are treated in emergency departments for fireworks injuries each year.

The safest option is to watch a professional firework show, but if home fireworks are in your plans, here are some safety tips:

• Keep children at least 10 feet from the area where fireworks are lit.
• Never hand sparklers to young children; they can heat up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Provide glow sticks to young children rather than fireworks.
• Keep a water hose or bucket of water nearby to extinguish any fires.
• Never point fireworks toward people.

Tricky Trampolines

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding home trampolines due to the risk of injuries like sprains, concussions, broken bones and spinal cord injuries. But if banning bouncing is out of the question, here are some safety tips to reduce the risk of injury:

• Only allow one jumper at a time – most injuries occur with multiple jumpers.
• Always supervise the use of the trampoline.
• Use a safety net around the trampoline.
• Encourage your jumper to stay in the middle of the trampoline.
• Keep the trampoline away from buildings, concrete, fences and trees.

Playground Planning

Not all playgrounds are created equally. The first step in playground safety is to find a play area with age-appropriate equipment for your little one. Additional tips include:

• Supervise playground activity.
• Check the temperature of metal equipment, such as slides, before your child gets on them to avoid burns.
• Look for playgrounds with softer and safer surfaces under the equipment, such as mulch, pea gravel, rubber, sand, or wood chips.
• Dress your kiddo in sturdy shoes, such as sneakers,
• Avoid clothing with drawstrings that could get caught in equipment.

Sports Safety

Summer sports are a great way to keep your kiddo active while they learn life skills like teamwork and discipline. Here are our tips for keeping them injury-free:

• Schedule a sports physical; KidsStreet can help!
• Make sure your child has properly fitting protective gear for their sport.
• Warm up and stretch before play.
• Keep your child fueled and hydrated for play.

You can learn more information about common sports injuries in kids with KidsStreet.

Turn to KidsStreet Urgent Care

Sometimes, even with all the safety precautions, your kiddo can have an accident. KidsStreet Urgent Care is here to help them heal and feel better fast!

Register online to visit the clinic. You and your child can wait in the convenience of your home or vehicle until we are ready to see you. We’ll text you when it’s time to head to the clinic.

KidsStreet loves walk-ins too! However, we recommend registering online before your visit to reduce in-clinic wait times. Walk-ins join the same queue as those who register online.