5 Hot Topics for Summer Safety
Summer is almost in full swing! Here are a few tips on helping your kids stay safe.
1.Prevent hot car deaths
Reduce the number of car heatstroke deaths by remembering the following:
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. Teach kids not to play in cars. Make sure to lock your vehicle, including doors and trunk, when you’re not using it, and keep keys and remote entry fobs out of children’s sight and reach.
C: Create reminders. Put something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, purse or phone. This is especially important if you are not following your normal routine.
T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.
2. Avoid firework burns
Leave fireworks to the professionals. Find a scheduled firework show near you.
Did you know sparklers get up to 1200 degrees? Instead, use glow sticks. They last longer and won't burn your child. You can still write in the sky.
3. Maintain a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around a BBQ grill
Keep children away from the grill area by declaring a 3-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.
Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately.
Always supervise children around outdoor grills.
If a burn occurs, cool it with cool water and cover with a clean dry cloth.
4. Keep an eye on kids when they are in the water
Help your kids learn to swim! It is never too late. Little ones can start swim courses as early as 6 months old.
Use Coast Guard-approved life vests.
Keep young children within arm’s reach of an adult.
Never swim alone.
Assign an adult water watcher to watch kids.
Learn the signs of drowning.
Learn CPR.
Ensure multiple barriers around water.
If you can't find your child, check the water first.
5. Road trip car-seat safety
Buckling up on every ride is the single most important thing a family can do to stay safe in the car.
Seventy-three percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly. Before you hit the road, check your car seat. Here is a quick car seat checklist.
Use a booster seat with the vehicle lap AND shoulder safety belts until your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test.
Kids are VIPs – just ask them. VIPs ride in the back seat. Keep all kids in the back seat until they are 13.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy summer with lots of cherished memories! For more information on all topics safety, please go to safekids.org.
Safe Kids San Antonio is led by University Health System, which provides dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving our common goal: keeping your kids safe.
University Health System PediExpress offers walk-in visits with a board-certified doctor or an advanced-practice provider for minor illnesses and injuries.
The Children’s ER at University Hospital provides immediate care for even the most seriously ill kids, around the clock. Board-certified emergency medicine and pediatric specialists, and a team trained in children’s emergencies, offer expert care in a kid-friendly environment.
University Hospital is the premiere Level I Trauma Center for South and Central Texas, and the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and Burn Program in the region.