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Ah, summer: The kids are out of school, the lemonade is cold and hot dogs are on the grill. Spending time outdoors with kids is meant to be fun, but it also brings risks. Whether it’s a burn from the campfire or a fall from a bicycle, parents and caregivers should understand the potential for injuries — and how they can be prevented. We asked Children’s Hospital Colorado Injury Prevention Program Manager Britney Lombard to identify the key activities that cause harm to kids in the summer, and how parents and caregivers can steer clear of them.
1. Water safety and drowning prevention
A visit to the pool or lake is one of the best things about summer. But people tend to underestimate the danger of water, and in warm weather, the incidence of children drowning goes up dramatically.
Nearly nine out of 10 drowning incidents occur during a brief lapse in supervision. “A designated adult should be watching kids in the water at all times,” Lombard says. “Avoid reading, texting or resting while you're on watch.” She suggests assigning one adult to be a “water watcher” in 15-minute shifts. By making the shifts short, you can avoid distraction and fatigue. If a child does go missing anywhere near a pool, immediately check the deep end first.
At home, you can avoid drowning risks for infants and toddlers by emptying out inflatable pools and buckets after water playtime. “A young child can drown in just one inch of standing water,” Lombard says.
Another key part of drowning prevention is wearing the right flotation device. “Look for a U.S. Coast Guard-certified personal floatation device (PFD) that fits your child correctly,” Lombard says. “PFDs should be worn on boats, in open bodies of water and during water sports.”
Some water activities require a specific type of PFD, so make sure you select one that is appropriate for the activity. Additionally, bright colored swimwear and rash guards make it easier to spot your child in the water, especially if they go under the surface. Lastly, get kids in swimming lessons. Most kids will need several cycles of lessons before they become proficient swimmers, but knowing even the basics could save their life. For more information on staying safe around water, read more on outdoor activities with kids.
2. Bike safety for kids
Bikes are associated with more childhood injuries than any other consumer product except cars. That’s in part because, just as it takes babies a while to get their walk down, it takes kids time to develop the coordination and balance skills necessary to ride a bike competently.
“We love seeing kids enjoying the outdoors on their bikes," Lombard says. “It's important to make sure they are riding responsibly.”
Start by getting your child a properly fitted helmet to protect them against a head injury. “Make sure kids have a helmet that fits their current head size,” Lombard says, “not one they will grow into.” Also, teach your kids the rules of the road — walk on the left, ride on the right — and how to anticipate where traffic might come from.
3. Falls and playground safety
As any parent knows, if there’s playground equipment to be used, kids will figure out a way to misuse it. Whether they’re using monkey bars like a ladder and walking across the top, or climbing equipment that’s not intended for climbing, make sure your children use the playground as intended. “During the school year, kids have supervised, structured time on a playground,” Lombard says. “During the summer, kids are spending more time outdoors and on playground equipment.”
Supervise kids to prevent playground falls and make sure they’re using equipment properly. Take them to playgrounds with cushioned surfacing like pea gravel or rubber mats (Colorado regulations require safe surfacing at public playgrounds).
At home, windows are open to the breeze and people are spending more time on decks and balconies — all things toddlers can fall from. Baby and toddler-proof your home by installing gates on open windows a toddler could access, and keep doors shut and locked to balconies and decks.
4. Motor vehicle and passenger precautions
During summer and on vacations, people tend to let their guard down and be more relaxed about safety. It’s a hassle to lug a car seat through an airport, so it’s common for kids not to have the appropriate car seat or booster in rental cars. However, it’s essential to ensure you’re always using the right seat, whether in your own car, a rental car or driving with a friend.
“Passenger safety is important on every ride,” Lombard says. “If you're traveling, you need to know and follow the laws of the state you are in, but best practice is to go above and beyond the requirements of the law. A certified child passenger safety technician can help you determine the best way to restrain your children.”
Additionally, it is recommended that kids ride in the back seat until they reach the age of 13. Airbags are made for adult bodies and can cause serious injuries if they discharge onto young kids.
5. Pedestrian injuries
Developmentally, kids under age 10 can’t accurately assess speed and distance. So, while they may see the car coming down the street, they are cognitively unable to judge how quickly it will reach them and how long it will take to cross the street. “Children under age 10 should always cross the street with an adult.” says Lombard.
Teach children the following rules to stay safe near roads:
- If they spot any drivers, they should make themselves visible by raising and waving their hands, standing on the curb and making eye contact with the driver of a vehicle before crossing.
- Always follow the rules of the road by using sidewalks and crosswalks and observing traffic signals. Never run across a street.
- Parked vehicles might move, so watch for cars backing out of driveways in your neighborhood. Listen for engine sounds and look for red brake lights and white reverse lights. A driver that is backing out of a driveway or parking spot has a rear blind zone of 15-25 feet and may not see all their surroundings.
- Kids aged 12-19 are almost three times more likely to experience an injury as a pedestrian compared to younger children — mostly due to distracted behavior. Teach teens to put down devices and remove headphones when walking on the street, because they need to be alert with all their senses engaged.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing if walking at night.
6. Stroller safety
When using a stroller, Lombard says to make sure you are adhering to guidelines set by the manufacturer. “Stick within the weight, height and age ranges listed for safe use,” Lombard says. “Some strollers are designed to lay flat for a newborn or may have compatibility with an infant car seat; other strollers are designed only for older or larger children who can sit upright.”
When using a stroller, Lombard suggest these safety tips:
- Keep a close eye on newborns, especially when using your infant car seat on a compatible stroller. The semi-reclined angle of an infant car seat can lower a child’s oxygen rate, so their time in a travel system should be monitored and limited.
- When you’re pushing a stroller, be an engaged pedestrian. Use sidewalks and crosswalks, making eye contact with drivers on any roads.
- Always keep the safety harness buckled and snug in a stroller or travel system. This helps to prevent falls and keeps your child in a safe travel position.
- Never leave a child unattended in a stroller.
- Engage the brakes when you make a stop.
- Avoid hanging heavy items on a stroller’s handle, as this can cause your stroller to tip over. Utilize the basket underneath the stroller instead.
- Be cautious in the heat. Children overheat much faster than adults do. Keep your child dressed appropriately and avoid stroller or car seat covers that trap in heat and prevent fresh air circulation.
- Jogging strollers are generally meant for children over 6 months, and it’s best to consult with your pediatrician before jogging with an infant. Infants are still developing the neck muscles and trunk control needed to safely ride with a jogging adult.
You’ll also want to register new baby products, including strollers, to be alerted in case of a recall.
7. Dog and animal safety
Pets have been shown to offer many benefits for kids. However, parents and caregivers should always supervise children around pets to help everyone stay safe and calm. Whether you’re considering bringing a pet home this summer or your child is new to pets, you can prepare kids for spending time around animals by teaching them to gauge pet behavior. What are the signs of stress in an animal? What facial expressions evoke friendliness? What is a safe tail position and posture?
Additionally, Lombard recommends that kids ask the owner if they can pet an animal before putting their hand out to be sniffed. “This allows the pet owner a chance to gauge whether their animal is comfortable being pet,” Lombard says. “Also, some animals are working service animals and should not be pet while on the job.”
8. Burns and fireworks safety
Some equipment on playgrounds can get very hot and burn a child's skin. Don't assume that the temperature of the equipment is safe even in cooler weather (it doesn't have to be hot outside for playground equipment to get hot enough to cause a burn). Touch the playground equipment to make sure the temperature is safe for your children and be aware of metal and dark‐colored plastics, rubber, asphalt and concrete surfaces. Dressing your child in pants can protect your child's legs.
To avoid burns around grills and campfires:
- Grills and open flames can pose hazards for children, who may get close to the grill because they're curious or want to help.
- Make sure that kids keep a three-foot safe zone around outdoor grills and campfires, and keep matches, lighters and lighter fluid away from the reach of kids.
- Use starter fluid designed for charcoal when lighting a grill.
- Never walk away from a fire while it is lit.
- At campfires, supervise children toasting marshmallows, which could catch on fire and spread to clothes or hair.
- To completely put out a fire, pour water on the flames, stir the fire and coals and continue to pour water over them until they are cool.
Fireworks can also cause burns in summer. The best fireworks safety tip is to leave them up to the professionals and keep kids far from the action. If you’re at a party where people are setting off fireworks, establish a perimeter, have a responsible adult light the explosives, and keep matches, lighters and fireworks hidden when not in use. Watch out for sparklers, which burn at 1,400 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals. Despite their harmless reputation, sparklers are responsible for most pediatric firework injuries at Children’s Colorado.
Lastly, when it comes to sunburns, see our comprehensive guide on sun safety, which includes expert tips on which sunscreen to buy, how often to apply and more. Also learn how to keep kids hydrated in the sun and how to prevent heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.
