How to Keep Your Kids Safe This Summer
June 2, 2022
With Memorial Day Weekend behind us, we are now into the unofficial summer season that lasts from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Summer is the time of year that young kids get to be outside and active all day, enjoying the warm weather and no school. However, parents should be aware of some of the risks that come with summertime activities for kids, especially swimming. Here are some tips for keeping children safe this summer.
Drowning is One of the Leading Causes of Death for Young Children
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death of children aged one to four, and the second leading cause of death for children aged five to 14. In 2019, Pennsylvania saw nearly 100 drowning deaths. Unfortunately, a child can begin drowning in the blink of an eye without proper supervision. Young children can even drown in as little as five inches of water.
Experts encourage parents to take children to swim lessons as soon as possible. Some organizations such as the YMCA offer free or reduced cost swim lessons for families who might not otherwise be able to afford them. A good swim lesson program will not only teach children competence and confidence in the water but will also cover important water safety tips, including teaching young children to always ask adult permission before going into the pool, lake, or ocean.
Parents and adults should also familiarize themselves with the five layers of water safety for children. These include:
- Supervision, or always designating at least one adult to watch children when they are in the water
- Barriers, or having fences and locked gates around pools or to access lakefronts or beachfronts
- Swimming skills, or teaching children to swim from a young age or enrolling them in swimming lessons
- Alarms, or having alarm systems to notify you when someone opens a pool cover or pool fence or goes through a gate to access your property’s lakefront or beachfront
- Emergency response – when near a pool, lake, or ocean, always check the water first when a child goes missing, as seconds count when a child begins drowning
Avoiding Heat Stroke
Young children are often happy to play outside all day in the summer, but in the heat of summer, parents should also be mindful to make sure their children avoid complications from sun exposure such as sunburn, sun poisoning, or heat stroke. Because it is easy for children to get carried away when having fun, parents should teach kids to stay hydrated when outside in the summer, to take breaks inside or under the shade, and to recognize when they are feeling thirsty or hungry.
Make Sure Your Child Has Proper Safety Gear
Children often take advantage of the warm summer days to ride bikes or skateboards or to go rollerblading. Parents should enforce the rule that kids should always wear helmets and knee and elbow pads when biking, skateboarding, or roller skating/rollerblading. The same goes for water safety equipment such as life vests or water wings for children who are not yet strong swimmers. Because children are constantly growing, you should also regularly check your child’s safety equipment to ensure that it properly fits them.
Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients injured in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Western PA counties. Call (412) 766-1455 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3634 California Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Home visits can be arranged in certain situations.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
