Summer Safety Tips for Kids and Adults

Summer safety is crucial for preserving physical and mental health this summer, preventing accidents and injuries, and ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable summer season. By being proactive and following basic safety guidelines, children and adults alike can embrace this summer while minimizing risks and promoting the utmost well-being for the whole family!

SUN PROTECTION & HYDRATION

Sun protection and hydration are two of the most important summer safety tips for the summer. Most people would consider simply staying away from dangerous places or being aware of your surroundings as the way to have a safe summer, but sun protection and hydration are key. Teach children the importance of sun safety, encourage them to wear sunscreens with high SPF, wear wide brimmed hats and sunglasses when outdoors, and try to find shade when you can during the peak sunshine hours. Be sure to remind kids and adults alike to drink plenty of water, especially when engaged in outdoor activities. Carry around a water bottle for easy access to drink some water (at least a few times every hour). 

WATER SAFETY

Next to sun safety, the most important thing to remember in the summer is water safety. This is the one time of the year that most people spend hours upon hours in pools, lakes, and oceans. It’s important that children are completely aware of water safety rules and adults remember to recall these rules, as well. Always supervise kids around any body of water. Be sure that they are aware of the basic rules, such as swimming with a buddy, not diving into shallow bodies of water, and using the proper flotation devices if needed. Consider enrolling younger kids into swimming lessons so they are able to swim on their own in any dire situation. 

FOOD SAFETY

Food safety is another crucial part of summer safety tips that children need to learn and adults need to remember. When packing lunches or snacks for your kids, or even for yourself, be sure that you ensure proper food safety techniques. Keep perishable foods in a cooler so that they don’t spoil. Even if you just have them packed for a few hours, keep them surrounded by a cold bag or cooler to make sure they won’t give you any upset stomachs when you eat them. Avoid leaving food out for extended periods of time, particularly in the heat, and get rid of any leftovers that have also been sitting out for too long. Avoid packing drinks in plastic water bottles, especially plastic water bottles that sit out in the sun for too long. Be sure that if you do use plastic bottles, you avoid reusing them, as the plastic is not meant to be sustainable. Invest in a cooling metal water bottle to keep your drinks cold for long amounts of time.

INSECT PROTECTION

Some people that were blessed with the gift of loving all animals, including the creepy crawly ones, still need to pay attention to what sorts of bugs they come across and take all precautions for bug safety. Use insect repellent with ingredients like DEET, picaridin, or IR3535, and spray onto exposed skin or clothing. Follow the instructions on the back of the bottle and reapply as stated. Try to cover exposed skin as much as possible, and wear loose and flowy long sleeve shirts or pants to minimize the number of bug bites you receive. Avoid peak mosquito hours, dusk and dawn, and try to remain inside during these times to avoid bites. Use protective netting when spending time outside and try to eliminate standing water sources near your home, such as buckets of water, flower pots, or clogged drains.