Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy outdoor activities with your family. Many activities that involve fun in the sun can present dangers to all ages, but especially for children. Follow these tips from SSM Health for a safer experience in the water, in the car and at the park.
Water Safety
As the days heat up, water activities are a fun way to cool off. The following tips can help you and your family have a safe and fun experience in the water.
- Never leave children unattended in or near the water.
- Always stay within arm’s reach and assign an adult to watch children in or near the water. It’s best to always have more than one adult present.
- Make sure all members of the family know how to swim.
- Teach children to stay away from drains in pools and spas. Suction from drains can be powerful enough to pull a child under the water.
- Home pools and spas present the greatest opportunity for accidental drowning. Install barriers or fencing, covers and alarms. Make sure fencing is at least 4 feet tall with self-closing or self-latching gates.
- All members of the family should have properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets.
- Always swim with a buddy, and only in designated areas.
- Don’t rely on inflatable toys and floats as safety devices.
- Swim sober.
- Know what to do in a water-related emergency and learn to perform CPR. Classes are available in person and online. Hands-only CPR can save a life in an emergency, and there are only two steps to follow.
- Step 1: Call 911
- Step 2: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
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Hot Car Safety
Protect your child from the dangers of hot cars. The temperature in a vehicle rises 19 degrees every 10 minutes, quickly turning vehicles into a danger zone in summer months. According to data from the NHTSA, a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s. When a child is left in a hot vehicle, that child's temperature can rise quickly — causing distress or even death within minutes.
- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows cracked.
- Always lock your car doors, even when at home, and teach children not to play in vehicles.
- Place an important item, such as a purse or wallet, in the back seat to help you remember to always check the backseat before leaving your vehicle.
- If you see a child alone in a locked car, immediately call 911.
- Don’t forget to look before you lock.
View a video from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon child safety experts and first responders demonstrating how quickly hot cars become a dangerous environment.
Playground & Sports Safety
Parks and playgrounds are a great place to spend family time during the summer, but there are risks to be aware of. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger go to U.S. hospital emergency departments with injuries associated with playground equipment each year. Follow these tips for a safer play day.
- Ensure children wear appropriate clothing at playgrounds. Clothing with ties or drawstrings, and necklaces can pose a strangulation hazard. Leave these items at home.
- Wear sunscreen and avoid playing in unshaded areas between peak sun exposure times from 10 am to 4 pm.
- Avoid burns from equipment exposed to hot summer sun. If it’s too hot to comfortably touch, it’s too hot to play.
- Drink plenty of water and take breaks.
- Always monitor children on play equipment.
- Avoid playgrounds with sharp metal structures, rusty equipment and protruding bolts or screws.
View more safe play tips from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
