Picnics in the park, baseball games, summer camp and afternoons by the pool are just a few of the reasons that children love summer. Parents need to realize that during the fun activities of summer, their children could be injured unintentionally.

“At Le Bonheur, we try to encourage parents to learn a few summer safety tips so they may avoid a trip to the Emergency Department,” said Dr. Barry Gilmore, Director of Emergency Services at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center. “Summer should be an enjoyable time for families without worrying about injuries or coming to the hospital.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers some suggestions to ensure that your child does not receive preventable injuries this summer:

• Try to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is the time that the sun’s rays are the strongest.
• Never leave children alone in or near the pool. Adults should not even leave their child alone for a moment near a pool. Have safety equipment immediately available. Make sure that if the kids are diving that the pool is deep enough.
• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside. Sunscreen should be applied even on cloudy days and the SPF factor should be at least 15.
• Have drinking water nearby for your child to drink. Try to avoid giving your child soft drinks because they tend to cause dehydration.
• Insect repellants appropriate for children should contain no more than 10 percent DEET.  The chemical is absorbed into the skin and can cause harm.
• Children under the age of 6 should not jump on a trampoline. Only one child should be on the trampoline at a time. Flips are a definite NO!
• Make sure that the metal slides on playgrounds are cool to avoid burning your child.
• At summer camp, make sure that the health policies and protocols have been approved and are in writing.
• Children traveling alone or visiting relatives should keep a list of emergency contacts and medical information with them at all times.
• Put your child in the back seat of the car with the car seat or seat belt fastened. When traveling always wear seatbelts. Use booster seats or car seats for smaller children. Make sure that the seats are properly installed.
• Always wear a helmet that fits when bicycling, skating, roller blading or riding a scooter.
• Never leave your child alone with a dog.
• Teach your child not to approach strange animals. Children should remain still when approached by strange animals.
• Survey your child’s play area for potentially harmful objects, particularly broken glass or other sharp objects. All of those items need to be removed before playtime begins.

Preventable injuries do happen, but by following some of the above suggestions you will reduce the risk of a severe injury. Teach your child how to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency, and keep important medical information by the phone. Adults should also consider taking a life-saving technique class, such as CPR, to better prepare for an emergency situation.