Summer Safety

In 2012, more than 136,000 children across the United States, including more than 67,000 children 4 and under, were injured due to a fire or burn and treated in emergency rooms.* Use these tips to keep children safe around fires, fireworks, grills and other heat sources:

• Teach kids to never play with matches, gasoline, lighter fluid or lighters. Make a habit of placing these items up and away from young children.

• Do not leave children unattended near grills, campfires, fire pits or bonfires. Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby whenever there is a burning fire.

• Take your child to a doctor or hospital immediately if he or she is injured in a fire or by fireworks.

*Safe Kids Worldwide

While a lawn mower may seem like just a common household tool, thousands of children are injured in lawn mower accidents each year, some severely. Lawn mower injuries account for a large percentage of accidental amputations according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The speed of the blade can send dirt and bacteria deep into a wound, creating a high risk for severe infection.* To avoid accidents involving lawn mowers, keep these tips in mind:

• Teach children to never play on or around a lawn mower, even when it is not in use. They should never be permitted to walk alongside, in front of or behind a moving mower.

• Children under 6 years of age should be kept inside the home while mowing.

• Children should be at least 12 years of age before operating a push lawn mower and at least 16 years of age before operating a riding lawn mower.

*American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Boating, tubing and other water sports can be great fun but can also be dangerous. Nearly 71 percent of all boating fatalities are caused by drowning and 85 percent are a result of not wearing a life jacket.* Here is what you can do to enjoy the water safely:

• Always have your children wear a Coast Guard approved, properly-fitted life jacket while on a boat, around an open body of water or when participating in water sports.

• Educate yourself. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 86 percent of boating accident deaths involve boaters who have not completed a safety course.*

• Always check water conditions and forecasts before going out on the water. The safety of your passengers is dependent on you.

*2012 Recreational Boating Statistics, U.S. Coast Guard

The Centers for Disease Control reported that every year emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries.* Before your kids head outside to play, be sure to keep these precautions in mind:

• Take your children to playgrounds with shock-absorbing surfaces. Choose parks and playgrounds that are appropriate for their age.

• Teach children that pushing and shoving on the playground can result in accidents and injuries.

• Remind kids to go down the slide one at a time and to wait until the slide is completely clear before taking their turn. Teach them to always sit facing forward with their legs straight in front of them. Insist they NEVER slide down headfirst!

• Remind children to swing sitting down. Encourage them to wait until the swing stops before getting off and to be careful when walking in front of moving swings.

• Before sending kids out to play, make sure they always wear shoes to protect feet from cuts, scrapes and splinters, and wear sunscreen to protect from sunburns and harmful ultra-violet rays.

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

While playing poolside may be a blast, Safe Kids Worldwide Organization reports that drowning is the leading injury-related cause of death for children ages 1-4 and it is the third leading cause of injury-related death among children 19 and under.* Additionally, each year about 6,000 young people under age 14 are hospitalized because of a diving injury, with one in five of those sustaining a spinal cord injury.**

Supervision and common sense can go a long way to prevent accidents and injuries. Always practice these tips to ensure your family’s safety around water:

• Teach children to never swim alone or go near water without an adult present.

• Give children your undivided attention when they are swimming or are near any body of water.

• Always jump in feet first to check the depth before diving into any body of water.

• Never dive in the shallow end of a pool or into above-ground pools.

*Safe Kids Worldwide

**University of Michigan Health Systems