5 Simple Tips for Summer Safety

5 Simple Tips for Summer Safety

5 Simple Tips for Summer Safety

As the summer sun starts to shine down on families across North America, we can’t help but bask in the warm weather and enjoy more time outside. But as temps rise and outdoor fun becomes a more common way of spending time together, there are a few extra steps all families should take to keep everybody safe and happy.
Increased time outdoors means increased risks and opportunities for accidents, and while this might sound dramatic or scary, it doesn’t have to be! The important thing is to stay aware and alert when enjoying your summer fun. We’ve put together a list of our top 5 simple tips to ensure that everybody enjoys a safe, healthy summer season in 2022 and beyond!

Heat Exhaustion: Know What To Look For

Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion in kids (and adults) is a great first step towards being able to keep your family feeling their best. Here are some of the most popular signs of heat exhaustion – which can lead to heat stroke – in kids fromChildrens.com:

  • Cool, clammy skin
  • Goosebumps
  • Headache
  • Muscle cramps
  • Increased irritability
  • Nausea

According to the same source, children can be at a higher risk for heat stroke if they’re overweight, taking certain medications, are sunburnt, or are currently sick. If your child or anyone else is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion, take them to a cool place to hydrate, cool down, and gently stretch muscles.

Wear Protective Equipment

You guessed it, we’re talking about helmets, life jackets, and other safety necessities that can help prevent serious accidents and injuries when enjoying summer activities. While your child may be a confident swimmer and a long-time bike rider, accidents can happen more quickly than many realize. Wearing proper safety equipment can help save lives.

Pre-Hydrate, Hydrate, Don’t Dehydrate When it comes to enjoying plenty of fun in the sun, it’s key to keep kids (and adults) hydrated. But what many families forget is the importance of pre-hydrating. This means that while the summer months are upon us, it’s especially important to start each day with a big glass of water and continue hydrating throughout your day. This will allow your body to keep up with its needs for sweat production and cooling. Hydrating properly can also help the body avoid headaches, discomfort, and, as mentioned previously, heat stroke.

 

Take Caution When Enjoying Fireworks Each year, more than 10,000 people are treated for firework-related injuries and accidents, and nearly a third of these are under the age of 15 (Source:Childrens.com). When observing fireworks, it’s important to spectate from a safe distance in order to avoid injury. This means keeping children at least 10 feet away from where they’re being lit. Other precautions include only purchasing from reputable, legal fireworks sellers, keeping a hose and bucket nearby, and letting “unsuccessful” fireworks sit for at least 15 minutes before checking on them. If lighting fireworks feels unsafe for you and your family, don’t be afraid to skip them altogether.