Important Summer Safety Tips

Summer is just around the corner and with it comes a lot of fun activities. Make sure to mind the following guidelines to keep your fun going all summer long!

1. Protect your skin.

The best thing you can do is cover up. Wear a t-shirt, a sundress, a hat or sit in the shade for while when you know you are going to be outside. Make sure your sunglasses are polarized. This means they block out 99-100%of UV Rays. A quick and easy way to tell if your sunglasses are polarized is to hold 2 pairs together like an L with the lenses being one on top of the other. If it completely blacks out the background behind the lens, both pairs of sunglasses are polarized. If you can still see through the lenses one or both pairs of sunglasses are not polarized and therefore not effective against the suns rays. While covering up and staying in the shade are your best bets, there are times you just want to lay, play or swim in the sun. The next best protection you can have is sunscreen. Make sure you use at least SPF 15 and make sure you use enough! Each adult should use about an ounce of sunscreen everytime they apply. Continue to reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating. Remember: The reflection of the sun off the sand or water may cause you to burn faster so be careful!

To read more about the effect of the Sun on you skin, click here!

2. Pool Safety

If you own a pool, there are a lot of things you should take into consideration to protect yourself and others. Make sure you have a fence that is at least four feet high surrounding your pool. The fence should have a gate with a high latch and preferably be locked at all times. Make sure it goes all the way to the ground. A small child should not be able to climb over or under the fence. This not only protects the lives of small children, but also you as the home owner. You are responsible for anything that happens in that pool, wether you are home or not! Don't leave children alone in or near a pool for even a second. Yes, this means you cannot even run in the house to grab the phone when it rings or turn on the oven for dinner. In case there is an emergency, keep life saving equipment nearby. A "shepards hook" (a long pole with a hook at the end of it) or a life preserver nearby, someone may need help. Also, it always a good idea to keep a portable or cellular phone nearby so 911 is always accessible. Avoid floaties or water wings. They are not adequate swim support and should not be mistaken for life preservers. Small children should always be kept within and arms length of an adult. If you can't reach out and touch them, then they are too far away.

To read more about Pool Safety, click here!

3. Bug Safety

A lot of people tend to neglect this topic when summer rolls around. Bug bites can lead to a multitude of problems ranging from an annoying itch to a serious disease. In the summer months, try to avoid scented soaps, perfume and hair sprays when you know you are going to be outdoors. These can make you a bug magnet! Avoid areas where bugs tend to be: stagnant puddles of waters, blooming flowers and garbage cans are just a few. Believe it or not, your clothing can also attract bugs. Avoid dressing yourself and your family in bright colors or floral prints. To a bug you may just look like a moving garden! Protect yourself with bug spray, but don't go for sunscreen/ bug spray combos. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours (at least! Read #1). Bug spray does not need to be reapplied. Read the label of the bug spray you choose. Bug sprays should contain DEET. The concentration of DEET can very from 10% to 30%. 30% is the best and is most effective at repelling mosquitos and ticks, both of which can spread harmful disease. Read the packaging carefully and follow age guidlines. Last but not least, thouroughly check yourself and your children for ticks when coming back from a wooded area.

To read more about Bug Safety, click here!

4. Playground Safety

When visiting a playground its hard to really tell how safe it is. Most people think all public playground have to be kept up to a code. You can't just assume your child is safe. Here are a few things to look for when allowing your children to play at a playground. Look to see if the playground has safety mats on the ground. The monkey bars are a lot of fun, till the first time your kid falls. Check out what your kids will be falling on. If there aren't safety mats, look for loose-fill materials such as wood chips, sand or shredded rubber. These are acceptable alternatives. Scan playground equipment for loose bolts, uncovered screws and unattached S-hooks. These can be very dangerous if your child gets snagged on it. Do not attach jump ropes, leashes or anything similar to any of the playground equipment. These are strangulation hazards. Feel metal playgroung equipment to make sure it is not too hot! Flying down a metal slide in shorts on a hot summer day can leave children burned. As always, supervise children when playing on all playground equipement. If there is anything you are uncomfortable with, it is probably time to go home!

To read more about Playground Safety, click here!

5. Bike Safety

The most important thing when riding bicycles is making sure the bike is the right size. Oversized bikes can be difficult to navigate and control and therefore are especially dangerous. Take children with you when you are purchasing a bicycle for them. It might ruin the birthday surprise, but a proper sized bike is much more important that a special treat. Always make sure children are wearing a helmet. The best way to do this is by showing them by example. Do not allow children to not wear a helmet because a bike ride is short or close to home. You would be surprised to see how many accidents occur in driveways! When purchasing a helmet, make sure it has a sticker or label saying it meets the CPSC safety standard. Make sure the helmet properly fits. It should sit level on the head and not tip forward of backward. When the strap is tightly fastened, you should not be able to move the helmet at all. Knee pads, elbow pads and bike gloves are also strongly reccomended especially for new riders. The same tips should be observed for scooter and skateboard riding.

To read more about Bike Safety, click here!