Many parents and grandparents worry about the safety of their children during summer activities. From sunscreen to water safety, there are many ways to ensure the safety of your kids during their various summer activities. Here is what I've found to be most helpful when keeping your kids safe during their favorite summer activities.
Sunscreen is Essential
As a primary source of Vitamin D, sun exposure is important for children. But caution should be taken in the sun because too much sun exposure can be harmful to the skin, eyes, and the immune system. To help children get the right amount of sun exposure it is imperative that they use sunscreen. Sunscreens are successful in blocking the sun’s rays by absorbing UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher should be used regularly. Parents and children should follow the directions for use on the sunscreen bottle. Proper use of sunscreen will help you keep your kids safe during their summer activities.
Pool Safety
Besides properly wearing sunscreen while at the pool there are other precautions to consider that will help protect your children around the water.
Supervision at pool – Children should always be supervised by an adult at a pool. This does not include the lifeguard on duty. Lifeguards don’t know the swimming proficiency of your children like you do.
Swim in twos – There is safety in numbers. Everyone should swim in groups of two or more. If anything should happen, one person can call for help and provide aid.
Follow pool rules – Make certain your kids are aware of the pool rules. While some pools have specific rules for that area, other rules such as no running or no diving should always be followed no matter what pool you swim at.
Swim Lessons – Children can learn pool safety and increase their swimming skills by taking swim lessons.
Create Boundaries
Parents may choose to develop boundary rules with their children to guarantee their safety. This can be done by telling children not to pass a certain house, fence, or street in the neighborhood. Teach them to ask for assistance when needed from those they know who live within those boundaries. It is also important for parents to keep a close watch on their children and to be aware of their location. Parents may also choose to install a lifeshield alarm system to help create boundaries during the hours of the night, early morning, or when parents are not home.
Outdoor Sports
One of the most important things to remember about being outdoors during the summer is to always stay hydrated. Carrying a water bottle will help your children to remember to drink lots of water. Keeping cool can reduce the amount of water loss during outdoor activities, but replacing the water you lose through sweat is key to staying safe from dehydration. Some easy ways to stay cool while enjoying outdoor sports may include:
Wearing a hat
Wearing long sleeved shirt and pants made of light material
Staying shaded during midday
Wearing clothes made from thin cotton
Water Sports
Caution should be taken for all water sports. To ensure the safety of children while they participate in various water sports, parents can teach their children about open water swimming safety, boating safety, and water emergency practices. These suggestions can keep your children safe, allowing them to enjoy summer activities at the lake, river, or ocean.
Safety during summer activities can be as simple as helping children improve their skills in the water or ensuring that kids always have sunscreen and water bottle on hand. A few simple safety tips can make a world of difference in the safety of your kids during the many activities of the summer season.