Summer

Summer Safety Tips

Wear a helmet and other safety gear when biking, skating and skateboarding, and when riding scooters, all-terrain vehicles and even horses.

For most of us, summer means fun in the sun when childhood memories are flavored with outdoor activities. It's an opportunity to go swimming, ride bikes, host cookouts and play sports. But while you and your kids take advantage of the sunshine, emergency rooms everywhere will be crowded with trauma cases. This summer, children ages 14 and under will be rushed to emergency rooms millions of times for serious injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes, drownings, bike crashes, pedestrian incidents, falls and other hazards. Many of these accident victims will die.

Tragedies peak from May to August because children are supervised less, have more free time and engage in more outdoor activities. Close supervision, proper protective gear and other simple prevention steps will help ensure your child's safety. Knowing the concrete actions you can take to avoid danger may make a life-and-death difference for your family.

Keep these summer safety tips in mind:

  • Wear a helmet and other safety gear when biking, skating and skateboarding, and when riding scooters, all-terrain vehicles and even horses. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.
  • Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of open windows. Guards should be installed in children's bedrooms, parents' bedrooms and other rooms where young children spend time. Also, keep furniture away from windows to discourage children from climbing near windows.
  • Parents should always supervise children around water and install fencing to completely surround all pools, spas, whirlpools and hot tubs to prevent access. Use door and pool alarms, closely supervise your child and be prepared in case of an emergency.
  • Make sure your home playground is safe. Never use concrete, asphalt or packed dirt surfaces. Instead, use at least 9 inches of wood chips or mulch.
  • Never bring charcoal grills indoors. Burning charcoal produces deadly carbon monoxide. Always check the air tubes and grill hoses for any blockage, cracking, brittleness, holes, sharp bends and leaks. Immediately turn off the gas at the tank if you spot a leak, and don't attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
  • When mowing, keep small children out of the yard, and turn the mower off if children enter the area. Never carry children on a riding mower.