Summer is here, and everyone is looking forward to going outside, especially after being indoors over the past year. Whether you are traveling to the beach or biking in the neighborhood, we have some safety tips to keep you having fun all summer long.
SUMMER TRAVEL SAFETY TIPS
· Buckling up on every ride is the single most important thing a family can do to stay safe in the car.
· Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the
road, check your car seat. Here is a quick car seat checklist to help you out.
· Use a booster seat with the vehicle lap AND shoulder safety belts until your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test.
Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. There has already been a pediatric vehicular heatstroke death this year in the U.S. Parents and caregivers should make a habit of looking in the backseat before locking their vehicles. If you see a child left unattended in a vehicle, call 911 immediately.
SWIMMING SAFETY TIPS
· Watch kids when they are in or around water, without being distracted. Designate a
responsible adult to keep an eye on kids in the water at all times. Switch out with another adult after about 15 minutes to remain alert.
· Teach children to swim with an adult. Older, more experienced swimmers should still swim with a partner every time.
· Swimming aids such as water wings or noodles are fun toys for kids but are not appropriate to be used as a personal floatation device (PFD). Be sure to use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket or PFD for your kids.
· Teach children that swimming in open water is NOT the same as swimming in a pool. They need to be aware of uneven surfaces, river currents, ocean undertow and changing weather.
BIKE SAFETY TIPS
· Wear a properly-fitted helmet. It is the best way to prevent head injuries and death. Learn how to properly fit a helmet for your children in seconds.
· Have your children ride on the sidewalk when they can. If not, they should ride in the same direction as traffic as far on the right-hand side as possible.
· Use hand signals and follow the rules of the road. Be predictable by making sure you ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between cars.
· Wear bright colors and use lights, especially when riding in the evening and in the morning. Reflectors on your clothes and bike will help you be seen. It is not safe to ride at night.
· Ride with your children. Stick together until you are comfortable that your kids are ready to ride on their own.
GRILLING SAFETY TIPS
· Position the grill well away from foot traffic and play areas. Areas along siding, deck railings,
out from under eaves and overhanging branches could also be potentially dangerous.
· Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a three-foot "kid-free zone"
around the grill.
· Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately.