Summer Safety Tips For Your Children

By: Veronica Scott
Submitted: 2008-08-13 18:08:33
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Summertime can mean fun times for the kids. But along with the warm weather, also comes some added dangers such as poison ivy, insect bites, bee stings, and sunburn. Summertime is also the time when many outdoor accidents happen which can range from minor scraps and cuts, broken bones to drowning in a pool or other bodies of water. Here are some ideas for keeping your children safe this summer.

Poison Ivy

Nothing puts a damper on summer time fun more than a bad case of poison ivy. It is a good idea to review pictures of what poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac looks like. Show pictures of these plants to your children as well so they know what to avoid. If you know your children are going into an area with poison ivy, make sure they wear long sleeves and pants. If you or your children have been exposed to poison ivy, follow these steps from the FDA:

  • First, cleanse exposed areas with rubbing alcohol.
  • Next, wash the exposed areas with water only (no soap yet, since soap can move the urushiol, which is the oil from the poison ivy that triggers the rash, around your body and actually make the reaction worse).
  • Then take a shower with soap and warm water.
  • Lastly, put gloves on and wipe everything you had with you, including shoes, tools, and your clothes, with rubbing alcohol and water

Sun and Summer Heat

One of the dangers of summer can come from exposure to sun and heat. The most obvious hidden dangers in the summer simply have to do with the heat and can include:

  • Making sure kids are well hydrated and take frequent breaks when playing outside can prevent heat stress and heat stroke. Be sure and watch for symptoms such as thirst, cramps, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and fever.
  • Be sure and check all playground equipment before allowing children to play on it. A child can get burned on metal slides or other hot playground equipment.
  • Be sure and apply sunscreen on your children before they go outside. A bad sunburn can be very painful for a child.

Practice Water Safety

Children love to play and cool off in the pool. But make sure there experience is a safe one by doing these things:

  • Childproof your pool by enclosing it in a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate.
  • Supervise your kids around the pool, even if they know how to swim.
  • Have children who don't know how to swim wear a life vest when they are in the pool.
  • Always have your child wear a life vest when on a lake or river, even if they know how to swim.
  • Take your child to swimming lessons once he or she is four to five years old, the age when most kids can learn to swim.

Other Summer Safety Tips

Besides poison ivy, sunburn and the water, there are other dangers parents must be aware of during the summer. Here are some other things to watch out for:

  • Keep younger kids away from lawn mowers.
  • Use insect repellents and check your child daily for ticks. 
  • Make sure your children use appropriate protective gear, such as a helmet and pads, when they ride a bicycle, scooter, or skates.
  • Never let your kids play with fireworks.

Have a safe and happy summer!

Find helpful and creative ideas for parents and grandparents while you shop our great selection of kids furniture (including our popular safe toy boxes) and classic toys. Visit www.TheMagicalRockingHorse.com today!

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Children category

  • Buying Children's Furniture - Dos and Don'ts - By: Sharon Samraj
    Buying children's furniture can at times be a daunting task. It could even be a slightly more complicated than buying regular furniture. Most children's rooms are not very large, and must also leave certain vacant floor spaces for the child to play.
  • Tips for New Grandparents - By: Veronica Scott
    For grandparents who have not taken care of children for quite some time, a refresher course is very essential to remind them of important things to put in mind. Grandchildren can come as a surprise but with some fixing and reading, grandparents can get refresher tips on how to take care of grandchildren. The safety and health of children always comes first. Therefore, ensure that safety precautions are put in place at all times. It is important to fix all hazards and make some changes in the house to ensure the home is a safe place for grandchildren.
  • The Stepchild's Point of View - By: Joan Sarin. MS
    My son became a stepchild at nine, after being the only child of a single mom since he could remember. When he grew up, he shared this with me: "The odd thing for a child who becomes part of a stepfamily is that their sense of the safe and familiar becomes totally disrupted almost overnight.
  • Why you should use a trampoline in the fight against childhood obesity - By: Isla Campbell
    Childhood obesity is a growing problem, which can lead to serious health problems later in life. Although not a cure, trampolining is a great way to encourage your child to do some exercise and start leading a healthier life.
  • Travel Games for Kids Make For a Smoother Ride - By: Levi Quinn
    Most of us can recall being children and having to take long car rides with our parents. In a time with no portable electronics or cell phones, there was nothing to do but read a book or stare out the window in boredom. Parents of today have it a little easier. There are plenty of things kids can do while in the car to alleviate boredom. Car games are a great way to get kids thinking about something other than how much longer the ride will be. Make a list of games your kids can play in the car to pass the time before you travel. It may come in handy.
  • Children's Birthday Present Ideas - By: Jnet Verra
    Children's birthdays are typically celebrated with foods, games, gifts and party themes. One thing that attendees should prepare in a party are gifts.
  • Children's Gifts To Give For This Christmas - By: Jnet Verra
    Christmas is few months to go and although finding gifts as early as today seem to excite you, wise choices of children's gifts to give for your children, nieces and nephews is a must.
  • Child Door Safety in the Home - By: Jenny Andrew
    A new drive to encourage parents to think about all the little changes they could make in their lives and homes to make a big difference in protecting the safety of their children.
  • Water Slides! Water Slides, We love Water Slides! - By: Cristian Stan
    Have you asked your kids lately what it is that they like to have? If you ask them during the summer days, they would say water slides in unison for sure. Waters slides are the perfect toys during the summer. These are life-size air-inflated toys that you can put at the ledge of your swimming pool so kids can jump and slide on it and into the pool.
  • Boxing Rings Rentals Punch up Your Bouncer Business! - By: Cristian Stan
    Do you have an existing bouncer rental business? If so, then you should consider this good addition to your collection of inflatable toys - the boxing rings. Boxing rings would add a little more excitement to your loyal clients and to your inflatable collection. And this is because boxing rings are something not only the kids will enjoy. Adults will certainly appreciate them as well.