7 Ways to Kid-Proof Your Summer

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I heard a splash right behind me in the pool and I turned around and it was my friend [jumping in to save her 2-year-old]. … It just happens really fast.

— Linda Cartwright, mother

Know What's In Your Emergency Kit

Bryan Stuchell, of MedExpress Urgent Care in Boston, said every parent should stock a first aid kit with antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin, non-stick gauze pads, roller gauze, latex-free adhesive tape, latex-free gloves, scissors, tweezers and latex-free adhesive bandages.

“A pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also good to keep handy,” Stuchell said. Emergency numbers such as poison control should be posted by the phone, along with your address and simple directions to your home. This way a guest or younger child can read this info when calling 911.

If you know or even suspect that the situation could be serious, don’t hesitate to seek expert assistance. Injuries involving severe burns, loss of consciousness, broken bones or cuts large enough to cause scarring should be seen by a physician.

Beware of Flames

Long Beach resident Michael Alarcon, the father of two pre-teen girls, says the grill is the top safety hazard for his family in the summer months.

“It’s always outside and they [his daughters] don’t know if it’s hot or not, so I make the mistake sometimes of not warning them,” Alarcon said.

Keep the grill a safe distance from fire hazards such as porch railings, patio cushions or shrubs, and never leave the grill unattended. Avoid grilling in high-traffic areas, especially if it’s a portable grill that might easily tip over or present a tripping hazard.

The University of Maryland Medical Center reported that between 50,000 and 70,000 people are hospitalized for burn injuries in the United States each year – and 30 percent to 40 percent of those are children.

If your child does suffer a burn, flush the area with cool water. If there’s no blistering, apply a light layer of antibiotic ointment. Burns that blister or any burn to the face, or that covers more than 10 percent of the body, should be seen by a physician. In the end, the best advice is to make sure everyone in the area of the grill is aware it might be hot.

Protect Your Jungle Gym

Swings, slides and jungle gyms get heavy use in the summer months. To protect your children, spread mulch or wood chips at least 6 feet out from the play equipment to cushion the ground and provide a softer landing place.

Dr. Kelli Westcott, vice-chair of emergency services for Portland Adventist Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, cautioned against using guy wires or any kind of rope to anchor play equipment, as these could present a choking hazard, especially for younger children.

Check your play equipment for sharp edges such as rusty bolts, screws that stick out, broken rungs of metal ladders or anything sharp that might catch on clothing or tear skin. Replace any damaged or broken equipment and broken pieces and make sure all screws and fasteners are firmly seated.

If a fall results in injury, treat minor sprains and bruises with “RICE” (see sidebar) and gently wash small cuts and cover with an appropriately sized bandage. Antibiotic ointment will speed healing.

Lather Up

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. UV radiation from the sun contributes to 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and the majority of melanoma mutations. Children and fair-skinned individuals especially need sun protection.

Pediatrician Anatoly Belilovsky recommended using a zinc-oxide-based sunscreen with an SPF of 45 or higher. The zinc-oxide can be less irritating to sensitive skin. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every few hours throughout the day.

In addition to sunscreen, the doctor recommended protective clothing, swimsuits and hats made of comfortable, breathable fabrics that provide UV protection equivalent to an SPF of 50.

Encourage your children to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If a child complains of dizziness, an upset stomach or seems disoriented, take him to a shady spot and seek medical help immediately. These could all be signs of heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening emergency.

Life Jackets Are a Must

Of course, emergencies don’t just happen on land. If your vacation involves boating, make sure everyone on board wears a life jacket. Children should wear personal flotation devices sized for their smaller bodies. Have your children stay seated when the boat is moving. They could be tossed from the boat if the craft hits a wake or rough water. Don’t allow adults to operate a boat if they’ve been drinking.

Follow Rules of the Road

When the mode of transportation shifts from boats to bikes, scooters or ATVs, children always should wear helmets. The National Safe Kids Campaign estimates that if all children ages 5 to 14 wore bicycle helmets, it would prevent 18,000 to 55,000 scalp and face injuries, 39,000 to 45,000 head injuries and 135 to 155 deaths each year.

“Make sure children understand basic traffic rules, such as cycling on the right side of the road, with traffic, and slow down at intersections to watch for traffic from side streets,” Westcott said. Dress children in bright colors to make them more visible on bicycles and scooters, and children under 10 should always ride on the sidewalk or paths.

Cover Your Pool and Maintain "Touch Control"

Backyard pools provide a cool gathering place for families and friends, but they require extra vigilance, something Linda Cartwright found out the hard way during a backyard barbeque. It was a typical scene of a busy summer party: No one took the time to put the safety cover on the pool as everyone lined up to eat and Linda was busy serving.

“I heard a splash right behind me in the pool and I turned around and it was my friend,” Linda said, jumping in to grab her then 2-year-old son. Corey is now a healthy 11-year-old, but Linda says the accident taught her to put the safety cover on her pool no matter what. “It’s just that lapse of attention for just a couple of seconds or a couple of minutes and it just happens really fast,” she said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3,579 people drowned in the United States in 2006. One in four of these deaths was a child 14 or younger. Assign a responsible adult to watch children who are swimming. Every backyard pool should have a fence all the way around, with a lock on the gate. If you have an above-ground pool, install a gate or barrier in front of the steps. If possible, move the steps away from the pool when the pool isn’t in use. Never allow children to swim alone or unsupervised.

The CDC advises maintaining “touch control” with preschoolers – an adult should be close enough to touch the child at all times in the water. Adults can supervise older children from outside the water, but they shouldn’t be involved in another activity, such as reading or talking on the phone, while they’re on guard duty. Children who can’t swim should wear personal flotation devices while in the water. Foam toys and water wings aren’t an effective substitute for an approved life vest. Remember these same swimming precautions if your family decides to head to the beach.

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