Summertime is known for family, vacation, relaxing, gatherings, friends, and free time. Summertime also means more daylight, warmer days, and more time outdoors! Explore summer safety for all ages, not just kids, with everything from the front of the house to the backyard, brought to you by Darkness to Light.

1. Car Safety

Never leave your child alone in a car. Leaving a child in a parked car can lead to heatstroke and can be fatal. In 10 minutes, the temperature of a vehicle can rise 19 degrees, making it extremely dangerous for children inside. According to statistics collected by Kids and Cars, on average 38 children die annually from being left in a hot car.

And make sure children are in an age- and size-appropriate child safety seat until their 8th birthday. Safety seats must be properly used and approved by Department of Transportation standards.

2. Home Safety

Windows

According to the National Safety Council, windows are one of the top 5 hidden hazards in our homes. In the warmer months, we tend to open them up a little more. A few basic tips: all windows need to be properly secured. If windows are open, make sure that screens are closed and children cannot climb onto anything to get out the window.

Driveways

Driveways can be a blank slate for chalk drawings, a place to shoot hoops, or to ride a bike. Keep your children safe by using cones or a blockade of sorts at the end of the driveway to prevent cars from pulling in and to give them a visual boundary before darting out into traffic. Talk to them about what they should do if a ball does roll into the street as well as where they are allowed to ride their bikes, scooters, or skateboards.

Make sure to also alert anyone who has a vehicle in the driveway to check all around to make sure that a child is not behind the vehicle as they back out. Many vehicles are equipped with rearview cameras but that still does not mean that every area can be clearly seen by the driver.

3. Backyard Safety

Grills

Keep children away from grills and fire pits and keep the grills and fire pits at least 10 feet away from any structures (home, camper, tent, shed). SafeHome.org also recommends having water nearby (a bucket or hose) to be extra safe and extinguish any embers that might get picked up by the wind. Never leave an open flame or hot surface unattended or allow children to run around and play near them.

BONUS TIP: This is a great time to make sure everyone knows your family’s fire safety plan.

Lawn Mowers

Lawn mowers seem to be a rite of passage for kids, but they are extremely dangerous. Keep these tips in mind when you are operating a lawn mower OR are thinking about letting your teen add it to their chores.

Even if the lawn mower is not in use, do not allow children to play on or near it. They need to learn it is not a toy. This goes for a push mower, one with a blade, or a riding lawn mower.

If your child is under the age of 5, keep them inside if the lawn mower is in use. You may not hear them, something may shoot out from the blades and hurt them, and whether electric or gas – they are just too dangerous for little ones.

Don’t let children between the ages of 5 and 12 “help” mow the lawn by walking with you or next to you.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children be at least 12 years old before operating a power mower. Make sure they know how to do it properly and that you have supervised them a few times.

Pools

Nothing beats the summer heat like a swimming pool! Above ground, in ground, inflatable, portable, water slides – so many choices and so many things to think about to keep kids safe. Here are some basic safety tips, no matter the pool scene:

• Wear appropriate swimwear
• No running
• If possible, swim where there is a lifeguard
• Follow all posted rules
• When not in use, keep pools secured behind a locked gate, remove ladders, and remove any floating toys and rafts
• Always have a non-distracted adult watching over children who are swimming.

BONUS TIP: Keep pool chemicals locked up and out of reach!

Swing sets and Trampolines

Swing sets, playgrounds and trampolines can provide lots of summer fun and memories, too. In addition to making sure that all of the equipment is secure and in proper working order, the biggest safety tip is to supervise children while they are playing and assist them when needed. According to SafeHome.org, the most common sources of summertime product injuries for children come from playground equipment and trampolines.

BONUS TIP: If the equipment is metal – it will be extra hot and can burn your child’s skin!

4. Water Safety

Sun Safety

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, everyone over 6 months old should be using sunscreen every day. It should be applied at least 20 minutes before you go outside. And at a minimum, you should use a SPF of 15 or higher, reapplying every 2 hours. Want more information on all the different types of sunscreens and what is best for your children? The Skin Cancer Foundation’s website breaks it all down for you.

Water Safety

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children according to the American Red Cross. Drowning can occur wherever there is water: pools, spas, toilets, bathtubs, and even buckets and it happens faster than you think. Make sure that your children stay in the shallow water until they’re experienced swimmers, and never allow them to dive in unfamiliar waters. Wear life vests when on a boat, near open bodies of water, or on inexperienced swimmers – that goes for adults, too. Be a water role model.

5. Outdoor Safety

Bugs

Insects can be a real summer pest, but they don’t have to be. WebMd recommends using a bug spray with DEET to not only keep the mosquitoes away but also ticks. Other top tips include avoid smelling pretty (bugs are attracted to good smells), avoid standing water and blooming flowers (both places where insects are lurking).

Helmets

When riding bikes, scooters or roller skating, children should have on helmets and protective gear.

BONUS TIP: Make sure they know traffic laws and are safe on sidewalks and streets, for their own safety and for others.

Heat

Children can experience heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps, the key is reducing their time in hot temperatures. HealthyChildren.org also recommends limiting children’s activities in the heat, making sure they stay hydrated (with water, not sugary drinks), dress them in light colored clothing and lightweight materials, rest, and take advantage of sprinklers/water/cool baths.

Fireworks Safety

Fireworks are a fun way to celebrate the summer holidays and time with family. The best advice is to leave it to the professionals. But if you find yourself and your children around backyard fireworks, be sure to be safe. Safe Kids Worldwide’s top tips for firework safety include:

• Leave the fireworks to the pros.
• Find a substitute for sparklers which can get up to 1200 degrees! Maybe try glow sticks instead.
• Take the necessary precautions if you are lighting fireworks (do not wear loose clothing, light them outdoors, stay away from dry grass, point them away from people and homes).
• Keep your distance and do not go near a “dud.” Douse it in water when it is safe.
• Be prepared for problems by keeping a fire extinguisher, hose and bucket of water nearby.

For more resources on how you can keep your family safe - including creating a Family Code of Conduct, look at the Family Safety Toolkit from our friends at Darkness to Light.