As summer approaches, parents everywhere start to worry about keeping their kids safe from the season's unique health hazards—dangerous playgrounds, high heat, and fireworks—to name a few.
Did you know that over a million children visited the ER last Summer due to injuries related to common summertime activities? These incidents are largely preventable. Summer safety risks children can avoid—while playing in the pool might sound like an inescapable part of summer, it doesn’t have to lead to injury.
This blog is your go-to guide for identifying the top safety risks for children in the summer, as we offer practical solutions on how to best avoid them. We also want you to understand your legal rights should your child be injured, particularly when negligence is a factor.
Top Summer Safety Risks
Children face increased safety risks during the summer. The most common culprits are swimming equipment, tools, and pools (backyard or local swimming pools). However, trampolines, bikes, playgrounds, tree houses, and light fluid are all implicated.
Water Safety
Summer brings with it a surge of water-related activities, from pool parties to beach trips, increasing the risk of fatal accidents among children.
Drowning is alarmingly a leading cause of injury-related death in children, particularly younger kids, and ranks among the top 5 causes of unintentional injuries.
In fact, statistics reveal that on an average day about 10 fatal drownings occur—most involving kids aged 4 and under in home swimming pools. Parents need to vigorously advocate for child water safety awareness as it encompasses procedures, precautions, and policies associated with safety around bodies of water.
Summer's enticing call for fun shouldn't be marred by tragedy; therefore it's crucial to follow water safety tips for children and strict adherence to drowning prevention measures.
Heat-related Illnesses
In the throes of summer, children and teenagers become more vulnerable to heat-related conditions—including heat stroke. Taking part in outdoor activities, sports practices or even simple play during high temperatures can induce cramps, exhaustion, and stroke.
These conditions often manifest with symptoms like weakness, dizziness, vomiting or altered physical performance; all red flags that parents need to watch closely for when their kids are active outdoors.
Heat illness in athletes is especially prevalent among high school students who push physical boundaries without realizing the inherent danger.
To prevent these unfortunate incidents from happening, ensure your child stays hydrated at all times while engaging in outside fun during warmer months—not only does it help regulate their body temperature but also assists in preventing severe issues like exertional heat stroke—a deadly combination of soaring internal body heat due to intense exertion and central nervous system dysfunction.
Playground Safety
Ensuring playground safety is essential during the summer months when children are more likely to spend time outside.
To prevent accidents and injuries, it's important for parents to regularly check playground equipment for possible hazards and follow safety guidelines—if you’ve got an especially young child, we wouldn’t recommend dangerous equipment like monkey bars.
Avoiding non-impact absorbing surfaces like concrete or asphalt can dramatically reduce the risk of serious injury, while opting for mulch or wood chip surfaces provide a safer environment.
Supervision is key in preventing playground-related injuries, so make sure to always keep an eye on your child while they’re outdoors.
Fireworks and Fire Safety
Fireworks can bring a lot of excitement and joy to summer celebrations, but it's important for parents to be aware of the potential risks they pose to children. Fireworks are considered dangerous, and even sparklers can cause burns and blindness.
Mishaps with larger fireworks can lead to serious injuries such as the loss of fingers, toes, and limbs. In fact, children are at a higher risk of injury from fireworks, and account for over a third of emergency room visits for fireworks-related injuries.
Sparklers may seem harmless, but they can quickly ignite clothing and have caused severe burns when dropped. It's important for parents to understand that sparklers are not safe for young children.
To ensure your child's safety during firework celebrations, it is crucial to follow safety guidelines provided by organizations like the National Fire Protection Agency. Remember that fireworks pose a serious risk of personal injury and property damage.
What to Do if Your Child Has Been Injured
If your child has been injured during the summer, it's important to take immediate action to ensure their safety and wellbeing. The first step is to assess the severity of the injury and seek medical attention if necessary—of course, your child’s safety comes first.
Remember, time always plays a crucial role in ensuring proper treatment and recovery, especially in cases of heat stroke, head injury, or respiratory distress.
Once your child has received medical attention, it's essential to document everything related to the incident. Take photographs of visible injuries or property damage that has occurred.
Keep records pertaining to any medical bills or expenses incurred as a result of the injury.
Next, it's important to report the incident and gather information from witnesses if at all possible. This will help establish a clear understanding of what happened, verify the account, and demonstrate who may be at fault.
If necessary, contact law enforcement or relevant authorities to file an official documented report. You should never feel ashamed for seeking financial compensation related to medical expenses, pain, or the long-term impact an injury has had on your child's quality of life.
In cases where negligence may have played a role in your child's injury, it is advisable to consult with a personal injury attorney experienced in handling child-related cases. The attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick can provide crystal clear guidance on all the legal options available to you.
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