Summer Safety Tips

Keep your family safe this summer by following these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  For sun and water safety tips, see this tip sheet.  Please feel free to use them in any print or broadcast story, with appropriate attribution of source.

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 FIREWORKS SAFETY

1. 1Fireworks can result in severe burns, scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime.
   

2. 2Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, such as sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, and can burn users and bystanders.
   

3. 3Families should attend community fireworks displays run by professionals rather than using fireworks at home.
   

4. 4The AAP recommends prohibiting public sale of all fireworks, including those by mail or the Internet.
   

BUG SAFETY

1. 1Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
   

2. 2Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
   

3. 3Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
   

4. 4To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently back it out by scraping it with a credit card or your fingernail.
   

5. 5Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
   

6. 6Use insect repellents containing DEET when needed to prevent insect-related diseases. Ticks can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
   

7. 7The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.
   

8. 8The effectiveness is similar for 10% to 30% DEET but the duration of effect varies. Ten percent DEET provides protection for about 2 hours, and 30% protects for about 5 hours. Choose the lowest concentration that will provide the required length of coverage.
   

9. 9The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when they return indoors.
   

10. 10As an alternative to DEET, picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of 5% to10%.
    

 PLAYGROUND SAFETY

1. 1The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches (6 inches for shredded rubber). The protective surface should be installed at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.
   

2. 2Equipment should be carefully maintained. Open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends can be hazardous.
   

3. 3Swing seats should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
   

4. 4Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
   

5. 5Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.  If you see something tied to the playground, remove it or call the playground operator to remove it.
   

6. 6Make sure your children remove helmets and anything looped around their necks.
   

7. 7Metal, rubber and plastic products can get very hot in the summer, especially under direct sun.  
   

1. 1Make sure slides are cool to prevent children’s legs from getting burned.
   

2. 2 Do not allow children to play barefoot on the playground.
   

8. 8Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
   

9. 9Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use a home trampoline because of the risk of injury even when supervised. 
   

BICYCLE SAFETY

1. 1Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike without training wheels until he or she is ready. Consider the child's coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes. Consider a balance bike with no pedals for young children to learn riding skills.
   

2. 2Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one. Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to “grow into.” Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.
   

3. 3Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many injuries happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. Children learn best by observing you. Set the example: Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
   

4. 4When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.
   

5. 5A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
   

6. 6A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head and covers the forehead, not tipped forward or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened with about 2 fingers able to fit between chin and strap. The helmet should be snug on the head, but not overly tight. Skin should move with the helmet when moved side to side. If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.
   

 SKATEBOARD, SCOOTER, IN-LINE SKATING AND HEELYS SAFETY

1. 1All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear protective gear; helmets are particularly important for preventing and minimizing head injuries. Riders should wear helmets that meet ASTM or other approved safety standards, and that are specifically designed to reduce the effects of skating hazards.
   

2. 2Communities should continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home.
   

3. 3While in-line skating or using Heelys, only skate on designated paths or rinks and not in the street.
   

4. 4Most accidents occur due to falls. Inexperienced riders should only ride as fast as they can comfortably slow down, and they should practice falling on grass or other soft surfaces. Before riding, skateboarders should survey the riding terrain for obstacles such as potholes, rocks, or any debris. Protective wrist, elbow and kneepads should be worn.
   

5. 5Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near moving traffic.
   

6. 6Riders should never skate alone. Children under the age of eight should be closely supervised at all times.
   

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES

1. 1Children who are too young to have a driver’s license should not be allowed to operate off-road vehicles. Children are involved in about 30 percent of all ATV-related deaths and emergency room-treated injuries.
   

2. 2Because their nervous systems and judgment have not fully developed, off-road vehicles are particularly dangerous for children younger than 16 years.
   

3. 3Don’t ride double. Passengers are frequently injured when riding ATVs. Most ATVs are designed to carry only one person: the driver. Passengers can make ATVs unstable and difficult to control.
   

4. 4All ATV riders should take a hands-on safety training course.
   

5. 5All riders should wear helmets, eye protection, sturdy shoes (no flip-flops), and protective, reflective clothing. Appropriate helmets are those designed for motorcycle (not bicycle) use, and should include safety visors/face shields for eye protection. Wearing a helmet may prevent or reduce the severity of these injuries.
   

6. 6ATVs lack the common safety equipment found on all cars and trucks that are designed for street use. ATV tires are not designed to grip on pavement, so operators should not ride on paved roads. Parents should never permit nighttime riding or street use of off-road vehicles.
   

7. 7Flags, reflectors and lights should be used to make vehicles more visible.
   

8. 8Drivers of recreational vehicles should not drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or even some prescription medicines. Parents should set an example for their children in this regard.
   

9. 9Young drivers should be discouraged from on-road riding of any 2-wheeled motorized cycle, even when they are able to be licensed to do so, because they are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars.
   

 LAWN MOWER SAFETY

1. 1Only use a mower with a control that stops the mower blade from moving if the handle is let go.
   

2. 2Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
   

3. 3Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing.
   

4. 4Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.
   

5. 5Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.
   

6. 6Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.
   

7. 7Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.
   

8. 8Keep children out of the yard while mowing.
   

9. 9Drive up and down slopes, not across to prevent mower rollover.
   

10. 10Keep guards, shields, switches, and safety devices in proper working order at all times.
    

11. 11Children in the vicinity of running lawnmowers should wear polycarbonate protective eye wear at all times.
    

  © American Academy of Pediatrics, June 2013

General Safety Tips

1.   Don’t use bubble bath.

2.   Don’t put Q-tips in the ear canal.

3.   Don’t use infant walkers.

4.   Always use an appropriate car seat for your child.

5.   Please use smoke detectors.

6.   Don’t allow children on or near lawnmowers.

7.   Don’t ride all-terrain vehicles at any age.

8.   Don’t allow children in the back of pickup trucks.

9.   Don’t allow your children on trampolines.

10. Please wear bicycle helmets.

11. Don’t allow unlocked, loaded guns in your house.

12. Please set your water heater thermostat at 110 degrees or lower.

13. Don’t give aspirin.

14. Please use cabinet locks.

15. Please use outlet covers.

16. Please use sun blocks.

17. Don’t give popcorn, nuts, or balloons before the age of three.

18. Don’t allow children to run with lollipops or toothbrushes in their mouths.

19. Please pick up and hold your baby because you want to, not because you have to!