10 Bringing health care news to your home 5 tips for a safe, fun summer When it comes to seasons, it’s hard to top summer, which is tailor-made for kicking back, firing up the grill, splashing in the pool and more. But you want every family memory to be happy, which is why these five safety tips are so important. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Safe Kids Worldwide Head off head injuries. Reduce the risk of a bump or blow that might cause a traumatic brain injury by: ● Checking to see if surfaces under playground equipment are safe, soft and well-maintained. ● Insisting that kids always wear a helmet or appropriate headgear when riding a bike or scooter, using a skateboard or in-line skates, or playing contact sports. Be a good role model as well and do the same. Grill smart. Missteps can lead to a serious burn or home fire. To lower that risk: ● Keep your grill away from siding, deck railings and overhanging branches. ● Keep kids away from your grill, too. Create a 3-foot kid-free zone around it. Keep ticks and mosquitoes from bugging your family. They may cause Lyme disease, West Nile virus or other illnesses. To help keep bugs at bay: ● Use an insect repellent outdoors where bites are likely — for example, in wooded, grassy or bushy areas where ticks may lurk. ● Check for ticks after being outside in tick-infested areas, including your backyard. ● Get rid of any standing water in your yard — for instance, in planters or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water. Stay sun-safe. Help protect your family from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, skin damage and skin cancer. Be sure that everybody: ● Applies a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher at least 15 minutes before going outside — even on cloudy days. ● Reapplies sunscreen every two hours or after swimming, sweating or toweling off. ● Covers up in a long-sleeved shirt and long pants for extra protection. ● Heads for shade, especially around midday when UV rays are the strongest. Make water safety a priority. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Be sure to: ● Keep a close watch on children in and near water, even when a lifeguard is present. ● Never let children swim alone in open water — strong swimmers need buddies, too. ● Install a four-sided fence at least 4 feet high around home pools. ● Be prepared for an emergency by learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 3 2 4 5 1
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