Summer is only a few months away, and for kids, that means it’s time for some fun in the sun. What kid doesn’t look forward all year to swimming at the pool, playing ball at the park, or riding their bike around the neighborhood?
But with great playtime comes great responsibility. Emergency room visits always increase in the summertime, especially for children. In fact, nearly half of all fatal injuries among children in the U.S. occur during the three summer months.
The best way to be sure your child is playing safely is to supervise them at all times. Unfortunately, that isn’t always practical. But there are some measures you can take to reduce the risk of serious injury for your kids this summer.
At The Stewart Law Firm, helping individuals and families deal with serious personal injuries is our stock and trade. We’ve represented thousands of cases over the years, including many involving children. So read on to find out our top 7 tips to make sure your kids have a fun and safe summer.
Top 7 summertime injury prevention tips
- Life vests at the pool for weak swimmers: Many accidental drownings occur during the summer as children and families relax in the pool, on the beach, or at the lake. Be sure that young children and inexperienced swimmers wear life vests and stay close to a buddy.
- No swimming without supervision: Children should never be left alone near a body of water for any length of time – even momentarily. It is best to swim only in areas where a lifeguard is present, or where you can watch your children closely.
- Stay hydrated to avoid heat stroke: Heat stroke is another common cause of illness in young children during the summer. Make sure your children follow these three rules to avoid overheating:
- wear loose, lightweight clothing
- drink a lot of water
- take frequent breaks to get out of the sun
- Keep young children away from open windows: Many children suffer injury when they fall from windows while playing. Keep in mind that the screens on windows are designed to pop out in case of emergency and are not enough to stop a small child from falling out.
- Car seats and seat belts are a must: Going on a road trip? Make sure that your child sits in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age and weight, and always stays properly buckled.
- Helmets and protective gear for adventurous kiddos: If your kids enjoy outdoor activities like bicycling or skating, ensure that they wear a helmet and protective gear like elbow pads, knee pads, and sturdy shoes.
- Practice safe pedestrian rules: With more people out walking in the summer, there are always more car accidents involving pedestrians. Make sure your kids wear brightly-colored clothing, walk on the sidewalk, and cross the street at designated crosswalks, keeping an eye out for signals and turning vehicles. Young children should always be accompanied by an adult while crossing the street. And as always, look both ways before crossing the street.
Hire a personal injury lawyer in Austin today
Hopefully, these tips can help you and your kids have fun this summer, while reducing the risk of serious personal injury. Our team of personal injury lawyers at The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC are experienced advocates for injured people in Texas. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a preventable summertime accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our firm today for a free consultation to talk about your case and what legal options are available to you.
