Summer Tips to Keep Kids Safe
by S.R.O. Derrick Ploutz
May 07, 2009
The 2008-2009 school year has went extremely fast, and summer is quickly approaching. This summer nearly 3 million kids will be rushed to the emergency room nationwide for vehicle crashes, drowning, bike crashes, pedestrian incidents, falls, and other hazards. Kids are exposed to more dangers during the summer, because they are more active. I would like to leave you with a few tips to keep your children safe during the summer months.
Pool Use
- Talk to your children about not getting into water without permission.
- Never allow your child to swim alone.
- Get your kids enrolled in swimming lessons if they can’t swim.
- Don’t allow children to dive into water less than 9 feet deep.
- Only allow children to swim in designated swimming areas at lakes.
- Use life jackets on large bodies of water and on boats even if your child can swim.
- Talk to your child about the dangers and currents of moving water.
Bicycle, Scooter, and Skateboard Safety
- Wear proper protective gear.
- Talk to your children about the rules of the road i.e. driving on the proper side of the road, stopping at stop signs, and watching for other traffic.
- Don’t allow your child to ride in the dark.
Vehicle Safety
- Have your child properly fastened in a seatbelt/child restraint. Lead by example and encourage others in your vehicle to do the same.
- Children should be seated in the vehicle at all times.
I want everyone to have a safe summer. Please take these precautions to keep your child from becoming the next emergency room patient.
K-9 is saying, "have a Safe Summer!"
