Summer Safety Tips
Have a safe summer! This season will be a blast for your family if you keep these safety tips in mind all summer long.
Stay hydrated!
- Always make sure your child has water at every activity.
- Let your child pick out their water bottle so drinking is more fun.
- Decorate the water bottle with fun stickers.
- Try adding fruit slices for flavor.
- Limit sports drinks, which can be high in sugar.
Safe - and smart - swimming tips
- Start swimming lessons before summer. If your child hasn't been swimming since last year, consider refresher courses.
- Pay attention when supervising. Put down your phone. Don't drink alcohol poolside while kids are swimming.
- Teens are more likely to drown in open water. Remind older kids not to overestimate their swimming skills.
- Watch out for water dangers like tree branches and currents.
- Watch out for transition times. When you're heading inside, kids may jump in pools unattended and drown.
- Wear sunscreen and reapply frequently.
Teach your kids swimming safety!
- Always have a buddy.
- Follow pool rules.
- Never swim without an adult nearby.
- Wear life jackets when in a boat or swimming in lakes.
Beware of bugs!
Carry and apply insect repellent to protect kids from bug bites. If your child has allergies, always have medication such as an injectable epinephrine pen on hand.
Be prepared for travel!
- Infants need a safe sleep environment. Consider taking a portable crib.
- If traveling with toddlers, take a cabinet lock or other child-proofing equipment. Store medications safely out of reach. Look for potential poisons that might be accessible and move them.
- If traveling with a gun, store it in a safe or lock box. Staying with friends? Ask them to do the same.
- Establish a buddy system so kids and teens are never alone. Set up a meeting place in case you get separated.
- Wear seat belts in every car, even taxis and vans.
Find more tips on injury prevention at https://www.cookchildrenscommunity.org/injury-prevention/