Summer Outdoor Safety Tips

Kids and summer go hand-in-hand — playing outside, swimming, and enjoying the longer daylight hours. However, with summer fun comes risks that parents and caregivers need to be aware of to ensure their little ones have a fun, safe summer season. Here are our top tips for keeping your kids safe this summer.

Sun Protection

Kids love spending time outdoors during summer, but constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays can burn their delicate skin. Before sending your kids outside to play, apply protective sunscreen to prevent burns. Experts recommend sunscreens with an SPF rating of 15 to 50 for children.

You should repeat applying sunscreen every two hours or after activities like swimming. Besides sunscreen, get your children sun-protective clothing for added protection. Children under six months should stay out of direct sunlight. Dress them in lightweight clothing, sun hats, and keep them in the shade as much as possible.

Stay Hydrated

You and your children must stay hydrated as temperatures rise, especially during strenuous activity. It’s best to drink water over sugary drinks, like soda and fruit juices because, despite them tasting better, they accelerate dehydration.

Maintain Healthy Eating

Summer brings ample opportunities for your kids to overindulge in junk food, whether fast food, ice cream, popsicles, or high-carb or sugary snacks. Eating healthy is just as important during summer as the rest of the year. Of course, it’s okay to let your kids enjoy unhealthy food occasionally; just make sure junk food isn’t their primary food source.

Be Mindful of Hot Cars

Every summer, we see on the news the devastating results of leaving a child in a hot car. Researchers estimate many hot-car deaths involve a caregiver who unintentionally left a child in a car. This is why it’s essential to establish daily habits to prevent this tragic occurrence. Here are some tips.

• Never intentionally leave your child in the car, even if you think you’ll only be gone a few minutes.
• Be extra mindful when you have a new or different routine.
• Consider purchasing a device like a ride alarm to remind you that your child is in the car as an extra precaution.
• Establish a plan with your babysitter or daycare provider to call you if your child is late.

Remember, there is no safe temperature or duration for a child to be left alone in the car during summer, and it doesn’t take long for the worst to happen.

Water Safety

Besides bike riding, another favorite summer activity is swimming. However, it’s crucial to remember that drowning is the leading cause of injury and death in the U.S. for children ages 1 to 4. This is why pool safety is of the utmost importance.

Toddlers should always wear floatation devices and never be allowed to swim more than arm’s length away from their parent or caregiver. Children who don’t know how to swim must also wear floatation devices when they’re in the water, and all kids, regardless of their swimming ability, should wear them when boating.

Finally, never leave a child unattended when they’re near water, even if you think it’s shallow enough not to be a danger.

Insect Protection

If there’s anything that can put a damper on summer fun, it’s bugs and insects. These critters are highly active during summer, and it’s easy for a child to get stung or bitten. Here are some tips for dealing with bugs and insects.

• Use bug spray
• Avoid standing water
• Check for ticks
• Know the first aid procedures to deal with stings and bug bites

Bicycle Safety

One of the joys of summer is riding bikes. However, like everything else on our list, you must take precautions to keep your kiddos safe. These include riding a properly-fitted bike and wearing a properly-fitted helmet. Moreover, young riders should stick to riding on the sidewalk and avoid traffic. As a parent, you can set a good example by wearing a helmet and abiding by the same safety rules you expect your kids to follow.

Limit Outdoor Activities

Your children can have too much of a good thing, especially playing outside in the sun. Encourage them to get into the shade or indoors after a few hours of play to cool down and prevent overexertion.

If you follow these tips and use common sense, your children will have a safe and happy summer.

Kids R Kids Has the Perfect Summer ActivitIES

You can enroll your child in our summer camp if you live in Avalon Park or the Greater Orlando area. We have a jam-packed summer planned for our junior and senior campers, but space is limited, and we’re filling up quickly. Enroll your child today by calling 407–306–9035 or filling out our online form.