by Flo Doughty

The school year is winding down and the kids are ready for summer! Kids get a break from school and homework and extracurricular activities slow down, so parents aren’t as scurried from activity to activity, the pool is OPEN, everyone is pumped about all this! As temps get hotter and we dive in to the summer fun, it’s important for us to remember a few important things to keep summer fun and safe! The National Safe Kids Campaign estimates that as many as 40 percent of injury related emergency room visits and injury related deaths happen between May and August. So, let’s take a minute to remind ourselves of some important tips to keep in mind so that summer is nothing but FUN!

*Supervise kids closely when around water; don’t get distracted with cellphones or other activities that take your eyes, or concentration, off keeping kids safe.
*Life jackets save lives!!
*Sunburns can happen fast and be very painful. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Keep some in the car.
*Children are not able to regulate their body temperatures like adults, so they need to drink water often when out in the heat, especially if they are active in the heat.
*Play outside in the early morning or evening hours and avoid the peak sun hours of 10am to 4pm, when possible.
*Never leave kids in the car, unattended, not even for a “second”.
*Be vigilant and check kids for ticks. Ticks can be in our backyards, not just out in the woods.
*Keep trash and sugary foods away from play areas to prevent attracting stinging insects. Also, check your yard periodically and treat and remove any ant hills where biting ants live.
*When playing on a playground, check equipment and make sure it’s not too hot to prevent burns.
*Don’t forget helmets when riding bikes and roller blading!
*Consider taking a first aid and/or CPR course and if you use a babysitter this summer, look for one who has had these courses/certifications.

These are just a few reminders to help us gear up for a wonderful summer of making fun memories that will last us a lifetime! Oh, and one more tip….take lots of pictures!