Contributed by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
With summer in full swing, many children and families are staying active outside. By taking the following precautions recommended by Cincinnati Children’s Comprehensive Children’s Injury Center, you and your family can stay safe all season long.
Sun Safety
- Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor, also known as SPF, of at least 30 – and reapply it at least every two hours.
- If available, wear sunglasses, hats and clothing with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor, also known as UPF.
- Avoid the sun’s most damaging rays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bike and Scooter Safety
- Wear a helmet, bright clothing and lights when riding a bike.
- Children should ride bikes on the sidewalk if available or as far as possible to the right-hand side of the road.
- Kids should not ride on motorized scooters. Choose foot-powered scooters and wheeled devices.
Walking Safety
- Wear bright clothing, lights or reflective clothing.
- Use sidewalks when available or walk facing traffic as far to the left-hand side of the road as possible.
- Look left, right, then left again when crossing a street, and use marked crosswalks when available.
- Put away cell phones, headphones or earbuds when walking or biking to make sure you are aware of your surroundings.
Water Safety
- Enroll children in swim lessons. A child who isn’t a strong swimmer should use a Coast Guard-approved flotation device.
- Dress children in brightly colored swimwear so they can be visible underwater.
- Teach children that swimming in open water is different from swimming in a pool.
- Learn CPR, which stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, to be prepared in the event of a drowning.
Hot Weather Vehicle Safety
- Never leave a child unattended in a car, and always check the back seat before you exit a car.
- Teach your child to repeatedly honk the car horn if they are trapped in a car.
- Call 911 immediately if you see a child alone in a car.
This article consists of sponsored content from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.