- Knowledgebase: Child Safety, Injury Prevention and Treatment
- Questions about child safety and injury prevention, as well as treatment for minor injuries.
- 28. Have a safe summer.(safety tips for parents) - Top
- Have a safe summer.(safety tips for parents)
Author/s: Barbara Hall Palar
Better Homes and Gardens
Issue: June, 1995
When Susan Shilts sent her 10-year-old son out the door the morning of August 31 last year, she didn't know that within minutes her family would be thrown into crisis. Riding his bike to school that day, Joseph skidded on some gravel and lost control. Before he knew it, Joseph had slid into the middle of the street and was looking into the hood of a pickup coming right at him. He was hurled 43 feet and landed on his head - which was not protected by a helmet.
When Susan and her husband arrived at the hospital, they were told that their son had two skull fractures and three brain contusions. His chance of living? Five percent. But after several excruciating days in intensive care, miraculously, Joseph pulled through.
Although Sparta, Wisconsin, where the Shiltses live, is called the bicycle capital of America, it's not the bike helmet mecca. "For some reason, helmets just aren't popular here. My sons would say things like, `I'm not going to be called a nerd.' I just wish parents could know how much a helmet can do," says Susan, "even for older kids like Joseph."
Joseph can't get back on his bike yet. But he does wear a bicycle helmet, 24 hours a day, as protection for his fragile head. He's restricted to a "zero activity level" until the blood clots dissolve in his brain. "The doctor said one little bump on the head could kill him," Susan says. The family also is facing more than $30,000 in medical bills.
When most parents think of summer, they envision picnics, swimming, ball games - days of endless fun. But summer can be deadly - especially for kids. More unintentional childhood deaths and injuries occur between May and August than any other time of the year.
The National SAFE KIDS Campaign has issued a Family Safety Check (right) for parents and kids to discuss together. Take the test and see how your family measures up. No matter how well you score, it won't hurt to review these summer safety tips with the whole family.
SMART CYCLING
Each year, 300 children under age 14 are killed and another 400,000 injured in bicycle-related injuries, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. In New Jersey, one year after a mandatory bicycle helmet law passed, fatalities for bicyclists under 14 dropped 80 percent. Here are some basic bicycle safety tips from SAFE KIDS.
Buy approved bicycle helmets. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injury by 85 percent and brain injury by almost 90 percent. Be sure to purchase only helmets that meet safety standards.
Teach safe bicycle behavior, including proper hand signals and riding on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic. Teach your kids that stoplight signals and traffic signs apply to bicyclists as well as motorists. When you're bicycling, set a good example by obeying the rules yourself.
Keep all bikes working properly. Are reflectors secure? Test the brakes. Make sure gears shift smoothly and tires are secured tightly and inflated to the correct level.
Encourage kids to ride on paths rather than in streets. Children who ride on streets are eight times more likely to be injured than those riding on bicycle paths.
BACKYARD BASICS
You may feel safe sending kids to their own backyard, but many of the most tragic accidents occur practically under parents' noses.
Always supervise children when they're playing, even if they're "only out in the backyard."
Secure fences and gates. Fix broken rails and check to see whether there are any protruding parts.
Remove poisonous plants. Many common household and garden plants can be poisonous, and should be kept out of children's sight and reach. Common poisonous garden and household plants include azaleas, holly, and philodendrons. (When camping or hiking, teach children to stay away from all unfamiliar plants and wild berries.)
Never leave gardening tools where children can find or fall on them.
Children can easily become dehydrated, especially as temperatures climb, so make sure they drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
When your kids are old enough to explore the neighborhood beyond their own backyards, they will need to take a few extra precautions. Here's how parents can help.
Check playgrounds for rusted or broken equipment and dangerous surfaces such as concrete and asphalt.
Teach your kids what's off-limits. Garages, construction sites, abandoned buildings, railroad tracks, dumpsters, waterfronts, and unsupervised swimming areas may appeal to a child's sense of curiosity, but children should not be allowed to play in these and other potentially dangerous areas.
Don't let children under 10 cross streets alone. Remind children ages 10 and older of the rules of pedestrian safety, such as using sidewalks and looking left, right, and left again for traffic before crossing the street.
SWIM SENSE
A dip in the pool or, the lake can be refreshing and lots of fun. But parents and caregivers need to be extremely vigilant with children around water. A child can drown in less than one inch of water - and it can happen in seconds - even in the short amount of time it takes to run inside to answer the telephone.
Never leave children alone in or near water. Parents and caregivers should always watch children when they're swimming, even in shallow wading pools in the yard.
Secure your pool or spa. Install a four-sided fence that is at least five feet high. The fence should have a self-closing and self-latching gate. Do not consider the exterior of your house as one side of the fence. If neighbors have a pool, discuss safety issues with them, and make sure it is properly fenced.
Children should learn to swim. Enroll children over the age of 3 in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors.
Do not assume your child is "drown proof." Even after taking swimming lessons, kids need adult supervision.
Do not let a child dive unless an adult is present and knows the depth of the water. Diving should not be permitted in water less than five feet deep.
Teach kids to always swim with a buddy, never alone.
When boating, make sure everyone, including adults, has an appropriate flotation device.
Children should wear their life jackets at all times in the boat and anytime they're on land playing near the water.
Know the water. An open body of water that looks motionless may actually have a strong undercurrent. If the water is too cold, it could cause cramps. Children should not swim in water below 60[degrees]. Also, it's a good idea to wear protective footwear when wading in areas that are unfamiliar to you - sharp rocks and debris can cut feet.
SAFE IN THE SUN
A child's skin is thinner and more sensitive than an adult's - protect their skin each time they go outside.
Cover as much exposed skin as you can with clothing. Apply sunscreen to all uncovered areas.
Slather on sunscreen early and often. Apply 30 minutes before going out into the sun to give it time to penetrate, and re-apply frequently throughout the day. Remember, harmful rays can burn tender skin even on a cloudy day.
BEWARE THE RED GLARE
Approximately 12,600 people in the U.S. were injured by fireworks in 1993. Of all fireworks injuries, more than half are to children under 15.
To avoid a painful holiday, follow these rules:
Only adults should be handling fireworks. Teach your kids that they should leave the area immediately if they find their friends using fireworks - even if an adult is present.
Read labels carefully and follow directions.
Discuss safe rules including "stop, drop, and roll" if clothing catches fire. Make sure they know how to call 911 or other emergency number.
Do not use fireworks indoors.
Make sure spectators are out of range before lighting.
Never aim or throw fireworks at another person.
Don't try to re-ignite fireworks that fail to go off.
Keep a bucket of water handy.
Don't carry fireworks in your pocket.
If you would like more information about safety for your family, call the National SAFE KIDS Hot Line at 301/650-8296.
FAMILY SAFETY CHECK
YES NO
1 Our family buckles up on every car ride [ ] [ ]
2 Our family wears bike helmets when bicycling. [ ] [ ]
3 Kids under 10 never cross streets alone. [ ] [ ]
4 Kids are always supervised in or near water. [ ] [ ]
5 Our home has working smoke detectors. [ ] [ ]
6 Our water heaters are set no higher than 120[degrees] [ ] [ ] to prevent scald burns.
7 If guns are in our home, they are kept unloaded [ ] [ ] and locked away.
8 Kids are protected against falls from window, [ ] [ ] stairs, furniture, and playground equipment.
9 Household cleaners, medicines, and vitamins are [ ] [ ] stored out of young kids' reach.
10 Our home has emergency numbers near [ ] [ ] telephones and first aid supplies.
COPYRIGHT 1995 Meredith Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group
- Updated: May 19, 2001
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