Summertime can be a lot of fun for kids, but can also be dangerous! The kids are out of school, and out of their regular routines. There just isn’t as much structure to their day as there normally is. Accidents happen pretty frequently during the summertime because of this freedom. With the upcoming 4th of July holiday this week, here are a few tips for keeping your kids safe and out of the Emergency Room.

Firework safety

Of course, this is the “big one” when it comes to celebrating the 4th. I grew up as the only girl with 3 brothers. I was afraid of fireworks for most of my childhood, but was tortured by my brothers who always wanted to light fireworks outside! 4th of July, New Years Eve – any chance they got, fireworks were their thing. Fireworks were very different, though, when I was a kid. We didn’t have the “big gun” fireworks that are sold on the streets nowadays.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is actually against any at-home fireworks displays in families with children. There really isn’t any safe way to light fireworks at home if you have kids, so the AAP recommends taking the family out instead for a safe, official public display. Even sparklers, which aren’t noisy and are generally thought of to be “safe” – they can get to temperatures above 1000 degrees and can cause some pretty serious burns. So, I have to side with the AAP, and say to leave the fireworks to the “professionals” if you have children. Go out and have a nice evening under the starts and watch an exciting fireworks display. Don’t risk your child’s safety by doing it yourself at home.

Visiting a fireworks show won’t cause deafness. But, if your child absolutely hates the noise from the fireworks, I recommend avoiding the shows altogether. Some kids really don’t like the crowds, and that combined with the noise from the fireworks just stresses them out. Fireworks aren’t a must on the 4th of July, so if your kids are still in that stage, there are alternatives. Have your kids wear glow-in-the-dark clothing or light-up jewelry just for fun. Visit a local parade or community event. Celebrate the 4th in your own unique way.

If you absolutely must light fireworks at home (and there are no kids around), be sure to stay away from the “banned” fireworks. Don’t try to light professional fireworks at home, since there are special safety measures that have to be in place to do this. Don’t point fireworks in the direction of anyone else. Keep them away from the skin and eyes, since they can cause pretty bad burns and blindness. Keep a bucket of water on hand, just in case there’s any stray fire on the ground or someone’s clothing – it happens!

Water safety

I’m a huge advocate for drowning prevention. Taking precautions is important year round, and especially over the summertime. Please make every effort to ensure your kids know how to swim. Be sure that you know how to swim, too, so that you can jump in the water and save them if necessary! Keep your kids in sight at all times, even if they do know how to swim. Ensure there’s a barrier around all bodies of water that you come close to, in case your kids wander off without you knowing. There should be an adult “Water Watcher” whenever there are kids in water, to keep an eye on the kids and keep them safe. Drowning happens far too frequently and much too quickly. Please, please, please keep your kids safe!

Sun safety

Sunscreen is recommended for all kids 6 months and up who will be spending time outdoors in the sun. If your baby is younger than 6 months and direct sunlight is unavoidable, sunscreen can still be applied. Of course, dressing your children appropriately to prevent sunburn is so important. Rash guards and wide brimmed hats can be really helpful to minimize too much direct sun exposure. We all need our Vitamin D, but too much sun exposure can be a very bad thing in the long run!

Playground safety

Summertime is a busy time for playground accidents. Kids are spending more time outdoors (which I love!), but we have to try our best to keep them safe. Supervise kids on the playground to minimize broken bones. No mini dare devils allowed! Make sure kids are wearing their helmets when riding bikes, scooters, or skates. Helmets save so many lives every single day. Teach them to be aware of their surroundings, to avoid passing cars and avoid accidents. Of course, having a discussion about “stranger danger” is also very, very important to keep them safe!

Burn safety

Fireworks aren’t the only way that children can burn themselves on the 4th of July. Last summer, I unfortunately had a patient with significant burns to his hands after touching a fire pit that the family thought had cooled down. I’ve also seen young, curious children who just came too close to the BBQ grill. Be sure to closely monitor grills and fire pits to prevent burn injuries in your kids. Set up a barrier so that young children can’t even get to these hot surfaces. Treat any burns immediately with cool water (not ice!) for comfort, clean the skin well, and cover with a bandage. If there is oozing or the burn is severe, take a trip to your nearest urgent care center or emergency room to have it checked out. Try your very best to avoid these injuries at all costs!

Food Safety

Outdoor picnics and get-togethers can be a breeding ground for infection. These infections can spread person-to-person (like colds or stomach viruses), or through food. Be sure to avoid any foods that are easily spoiled if left out in the heat. Things like potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw, etc should be kept chilled. Ensure that all meats (especially poultry and beef) are cooked thoroughly to avoid serious infections like Salmonella. If in doubt – don’t let your kids eat it! Be sure to watch younger kids closely to avoid choking hazards as well.

I hope you and your family have a happy 4th of July! Most of all, I want your kids to be safe! So, please keep these things in mind, and in practice all summer long. Keep your eyes on your little ones at all times and keep those mischievous minds out of trouble!

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