The summer season brings the hot sun, trips to the pool and beaches, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. This summer, keep safety top of mind, so your family can enjoy the fun, while staying happy and healthy.
Sun Safety
Sunburns are caused by overexposure to UV rays and can cause long-term damage to skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.
- Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday.
- Wear hats that shade the face, scalp, ears and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
- Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB (broad spectrum protection) 30 minutes before going outside. Don’t forget to protect ears, nose, lips and the tops of feet!
Firework Safety
Fireworks can be a spectacular event, but they also can cause serious injuries.
- Attend a public fireworks display.
- Adults should always light fireworks.
- Light one firework at a time and don’t relight a dud.
- Use only legal fireworks and never try to make your own.
- Have a safety plan, including a bucket of water or hose.
- Soak all fireworks before throwing them away.
- Keep sparklers away from your child’s face, hair and clothing.
Water Safety
Every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. Another five receive emergency department care for non-fatal submersion injuries.
- Never leave your child in the water without adult supervision, no matter how shallow the water. Kids can drown even in a small bucket of water.
- Assign a trusted adult who can swim to be a Water Watcher. A water watcher is a distraction-free adult who is responsible for supervising children who are swimming or playing near the water at all times.
- Don’t depend on flotation devices to protect your child if you step away or are distracted.
- Enroll your child in formal swimming lessons to reduce the risk of drowning.
- Install barriers, such as pool fencing, to prevent unsupervised access.
- Become CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certified. In the time it takes for paramedics to arrive, CPR skills may save a child’s life.
- Wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices, such as life jackets and vests created for children and adults.
Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian injuries are the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for 5-to 14-year-olds. Many teens admit they cross the street while distracted by a mobile device.
- Be seen — wear bright clothes or reflective gear to make you more visible to others.
- Look left-right-left and behind for traffic before crossing the road.
- Cross in marked crosswalks, at intersections or where drivers expect pedestrians.
- Do not step into the roadway until the driver has stopped for you, or has acknowledged your intent to cross with eye contact, a wave or a nod.
- Walk focused and alert. No texting, or anything that takes your eyes, ears, or your mind off the road and traffic. If you’re listening to music, make sure you keep the volume low.
- Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
- Watch for cars entering and exiting driveways and alleys.
Bug Safety
Protect your family by preventing bites and diseases, like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, which can be transmitted by insects.
- Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water.
- Use insect repellents containing DEET. The CDC recommendation for children older than 2-months-of-age is to use 10% to 30% DEET.
- DEET should not be used on children younger than 2-months-old.
- Avoid combination sunscreen/insect repellent products. Reapply sunscreen and insect repellent as directed on the label. Apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
- For most species of mosquitoes in the U.S., their activity peaks during the dusk hours.
- When outside in the evenings, cover up with long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks.
Learn more about ways to keep your child safe and prevent injuries by downloading our Injury Prevention Program resources.