Baumgardner: Making summer fun and safe for kids

Julie Baumgardner
Julie Baumgardner

The exhale by both parents and children is almost audible as everybody looks forward to sleeping in, swimming, playing with friends, going on vacation and, best of all, no homework -- just a few of the ingredients for great summer memories.

With all that summer brings, parents must be on their toes when it comes to keeping children safe. Whether they are home alone, playing sports, swimming at the pool or lake, gaming or just hanging around the neighborhood with friends, in seconds a family's world can turn upside down forever.

According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, nearly half of all injury-related childhood deaths occur between May and August, with July being the most dangerous month. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children 14 and under. Nearly 3 million children visit emergency departments during the summer for serious injuries. Older children experience the greatest increase in unintentional injury-related deaths, primarily because children ages 10 to 14 tend to engage in more risky behavior and are often given more freedom by their parents.

It can be a real balancing act to let children "do their thing" while keeping them safe. Many parents remember roaming the woods on a hot summer's day, building forts, endless games of night-time hide and seek and tag where the boundaries were the entire neighborhood and safety just wasn't a big issue. Things have changed. How do parents safely ensure that children get to experience the fun and excitement of the summer months?

Experts suggest the following:

* Before leaving children home alone, make sure they are mature enough to handle this responsibility. The National Safe Kids Campaign recommends no child under the age of 12 be left at home alone. Consider whether your child knows the house rules and can be trusted to follow them. Does your child know how to seek help in an emergency? Can he/she solve small problems alone? What will he/she do while home alone? Is your child allowed on the Internet when you are away?

* Insist that helmets and other appropriate protective gear are worn when riding a bike, skateboard, roller blades, etc. Teach your child the rules of the road and enforce them.

* If your child does not know how to swim, enroll him/her in swim lessons and insist he/she wear a personal flotation device when near water. Never leave children unsupervised near water.

* Do not allow children 14 years and younger to operate a personal watercraft.

* Learn CPR and first aid. Encourage older children to take the classes with you.

* Do not leave children in the car unattended for any amount of time.

* Keep children away from hot outdoor grills.

* Attend fireworks displays instead of shooting off fireworks at home.

* Don't let your child walk alone at night.

* Make sure your children are well-supervised even when they are only playing in the neighborhood.

Adequate adult supervision is the key to a safe and fun summer. While kids' exuberance for summer activities can quickly get out of control, a parent's good safety judgment can help them have the ultimate fun summer can offer.

Julie Baumgardner is president and CEO of First Things First. Contact her at julieb@firstthings.org.

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