It’s that time of the year: sun, water, and outdoor fun! What could
be better? For kids, summer is a very exciting time with many outdoor
activities. With fun summer days come some serious safety concerns. This
year many people will be hospitalized or rushed to an emergency care
center with a preventable injury or illness. Children don’t think
about being injured. For this reason, it is very important for adults to
teach children about safety.
Some summer safety issues that come to mind relate to water,
bicycles, insect bites and food to name a few. Frequently, we hear about
injuries related to water-safety. Swimming lessons are available at
local beaches and pools to increase childrens’ swimming skills. The
classes also frequently deal with safety issues. Don’t forget,
children should always be supervised by an adult when they are near the
water. It only takes a moment for a tragedy to occur.
Many medical visits made in the summer relate to bicycle injuries.
Children may receive a number of injuries related to bicycle accidents
ranging from minor bumps and bruises to more serious head injuries.
Drivers need to be especially aware as young children are not always
watching for you, but for the next moment of fun. Many related injuries
could be avoided through bike helmet use and bicycle safety courses.
Insect bites can also be problematic. Individuals with bee-sting
allergies, can develop anaphylactic reactions and should follow medical
attention. Some individuals require the use of medication and should
have that readily available.
Finally, we all enjoy those summer picnics. This is prime-time for
food borne related illnesses. There are some basic rules you should
follow in order to keep your picnic foods safe. Cold salads need to stay
at 45 degrees or below (use blue icepacks). Hot food should be cooked to
165 degrees and until juices run clear (and should be served promptly).
So go out there and enjoy the summer sun and fun, but be smart and
keep you and your family safe.
