Summer Safety: Keeping Your Little Ones Safe and Happy All Season Long
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, summer brings endless opportunities for outdoor fun and family adventures. But along with the joys of summertime come unique safety challenges, especially when it comes to keeping our little ones safe and healthy. At The Hearth Fairy, we're committed to ensuring the well-being of every child in our care, which is why we've put together this guide to summer safety for parents and caregivers alike.
Sun Safety
With more time spent outdoors, it's crucial to protect children from the sun's harmful rays. Make sure to apply sunscreen with a high SPF to your child's exposed skin, and reapply every few hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
Encourage children to wear protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses, and seek shade during peak sun hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Stay hydrated by providing plenty of water and avoiding sugary drinks, especially during outdoor activities.
Water Safety
Whether it's a day at the pool, beach, or even just playing in the backyard sprinkler, water safety is essential during the summer months. Drowning is quick and silent. It can happen in just 30 seconds and in as little as 1 inch of water. While swimming lessons can be beneficial for increasing children’s confidence in and around the water, the top water safety rule is practicing proper supervision.
Never leave children unattended near water, and designate a responsible adult as a designated "water watcher" to not only supervise children at all times, but also provide “touch supervision” while children are in the water.
Keep beginner swimmers within arm’s reach. If your baby or child who is a beginner swimmer is in or around water, you should be able to reach out and touch them. At all times. This way, you’re close if they need your help.
Ensure that children wear appropriate flotation devices when swimming or playing in the water, and teach them basic water safety skills, such as floating on their backs and calling for help if they're in distress. Never use flotation devices as a stand-in. You’re always your child’s best lifeguard. No device will ever provide the drowning prevention protection that you can. And these devices can give kids a false sense of confidence in the water. When kids are confident, they are more likely to take risks around water.
Eliminate distractions around water. While you’re supervising your child in or around water, make sure you’re alert and aware. That means you’re not talking to friends or family, tending to another child, texting or talking on the phone, or drinking alcohol or under the influence of drugs.
Heat Safety
High temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, especially in young children. Keep children cool and comfortable by staying indoors during the hottest parts of the day, using fans or air conditioning to maintain a comfortable temperature, and dressing them in lightweight, breathable clothing. Never leave children or pets unattended in parked cars, as temperatures can quickly rise to dangerous levels, even on relatively mild days.
Bug Safety
Summertime also brings out pesky insects like mosquitoes and ticks, which can carry diseases such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Protect children from insect bites by applying insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, dressing them in long sleeves and pants when outdoors, and avoiding areas with standing water or dense vegetation where insects are more likely to be present.
Playground Safety
Playgrounds are a popular destination for outdoor fun, but they can also pose safety hazards if not used properly. Always supervise children while they're playing on playground equipment, and teach them how to use it safely, including avoiding roughhousing and using equipment as intended. Check playground surfaces for hazards such as sharp objects, broken equipment, or hot surfaces, and report any concerns to the appropriate authorities.
With a little preparation and awareness, you can ensure that your children stay safe and healthy all summer long. By following these tips for sun safety, water safety, heat safety, bug safety, and playground safety, you can enjoy all the joys of summertime while keeping your little ones protected. At The Hearth Fairy, we're here to support you every step of the way, providing reliable childcare and peace of mind so you can make the most of the summer season with your family.
