Summer is just around the corner and with kids out of school, chances are your family will be spending more time outdoors. Now is a good time to review some summer safety tips that can help keep you and your family safe during your adventures this summer.
Sun Safety
Hot temperatures, high humidity and the burning sun can be a dangerous combination. Children are especially at risk for sunburn and heat stress.
Some summer safety tips to protect your children from sunburn include:
- Try to limit their sun exposure between 12 pm and 4 pm, which are the peak intensity hours.
- Always apply an ample amount of sunscreen on your children and reapply every two hours.
- Immediately reapply sunscreen after sweating or swimming.
- Use sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays that is SPF 15 or higher.
- Encourage your kids to wear hats with brims and sunglasses that offer between 97-100% protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Infants under six months old are especially susceptible to sunburn and using sunscreen is not recommended. You should avoid sun exposure with your infant. Make sure to dress babies in lightweight clothing that completely covers their arms and legs. A brimmed hat that provides shade for their necks is also recommended.
Preventing Heat-Related Illness
Everyone, including you, is at risk from suffering from heat-related illnesses, especially if you are participating in physical activities while it is extremely hot or humid. Prevent dehydration, heat stress, or heat stroke by:
- Reducing physical activity when heat and humidity reach dangerous levels
- Making sure children are properly hydrated by drinking water freely, or stopping to drink water or sports drinks every twenty minutes while participating in outdoor activities
- Wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing that is made from material that allows sweat to evaporate
- Using common sense about summer safety by limiting the time that your kids participate in sports practices or games during intense heat
- Moving children to air conditioned, or shaded areas if air conditioning is not available, if they become dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous
- Never leaving children or pets in your car; temperatures can quickly rise to deadly levels in a car
Water Safety
The hot, lazy days of summer are perfect for lounging by the pool or taking a trip to springs or the beach. Water can be very fun, but also extremely dangerous for children. Preventing drowning accidents is a big part of summer safety. Keep your family safe by:
- Making sure children are always supervised by a responsible adult when they are near or in water
- Using the buddy system to prevent swimming alone, no matter how old your children are (and this also includes yourself), particularly if a lifeguard isn’t present
- Installing a fence with a locking gate that surrounds your pool that is at least four feet high
- Wearing life jackets while on a dock, lakeside, or on a boat
Vacation Safety
Summer is the most popular time to take family trips; the kids are out of school, holidays like Memorial Day and the 4th of July allow more time off for adults. Unfortunately, many burglars know that. Keep your home and valuables safe while vacationing by:
- Triple checking that all doors and windows are locked before departure
- Getting a neighbor to keep an eye for suspicious activity around your home
- Stopping mail service; nothing says “Nobody’s home!” more than a stack of mail and newspapers piling up
- Avoiding announcing where you are on social media
- Setting up a security system and arming it while you are away
SafeTouch Security recommends always practicing summer safety whether you are home or away. Contact us for more information on keeping your home safe, whether you’re there or not, with smart home security systems.