Summer is upon us and water safety should not be taken lightly. Drowning is the single leading cause of death in children ages 1-4.
If you are a parent of a toddler PLEASE watch the PSA video below by Morgan Miller and Nicole Hughes. I recently met an expert who was called to the stand for drowning litigation. He offered 2 words of advice (beyond that all pools should be fenced):
- Always have scissors close by to any pool or hot tub should hair get stuck.
- Always make someone a designated life guard when children are in a pool. This can be a parent or friend who rotates wearing a sign “I am lifeguard.” That person should set their phone aside and have eyes on the water until relieved.
Here are more summer safety tips:
- Get your child in a water safety class if they cannot swim and always be with them near a pool.
- Use sunscreen when it is cloudy! Ultraviolet light often causes harmful sunburns on cloudy days when people forget to apply every 1-2 hours.
- For riding anything that has wheels, your child needs to wear a bike helmet that fits. Teach them to ride on the sidewalk until ready to use hand signals without swerving.
- Avoid trampolines (fractures are one thing but C-spine injuries are another).
- Remind your children to never open the door for strangers or solicitors. You as well can acknowledge you are home and talk through the door if you do not recognize the person.
- Let trusted neighbors know your travel plans.
Read more from the American Academy of Pediatrics: Keep Kids Healthy and Safe this Summer
