Staying Safe This Summer

Whether or not summer is on its way or is already here, it is never too late to learn about the different ways to remain safe during the hotter months. Three experts from University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s have shared tips for water safety, proper car seat fitting, and general summer safety tips so your child can have a fun and safe summer.

Key Takeaways:

Unlike its portrayal in movies and other media, drowning is rarely immediately obvious or so dramatic. Instead, the signs of a person drowning can be more subtle and are, in most cases, quiet.

Rather than looking for flailing arms or shouting, these are the more realistic signs of a person drowning:  

  1. Facing shore. 
  2. Mouth at water level. 
  3. Head tilted back.  
  4. Body vertical. 
  5. Climbing ladder motion.  

 If you see someone drowning, remember: Reach or Throw, Don’t Go!

  1. To rescue a drowning person, you can try reaching for the person using something long, such as a rope, rescue tube, or a pool skimmer. While reaching, make sure that you get low to the ground to ensure that you are not pulled into the water.   
  2. You can also throw a life preserver or another buoyant lifesaving equipment. Reminder: pool toys are not designed to support a person’s full weight and should not be used in lieu of safety equipment.  
  3. Never go into the water to try to save someone. Water rescues require proper training to be done safely and securely. Without that training, any attempts to rescue a drowning victim can lead to disastrous consequences.  

Proper supervision around bodies of water is crucial. A person can slip underwater in as little as twenty to thirty seconds. Pool toys, like inner tubes or armband floats, or flotation devices are not substitutes for supervision.  

Some tips for supervision:  

  1. Always assign a person to watch children swimming in the pool. 
  2. You can use a special necklace, bracelet, or shirt to signal which adult is currently supervising those in the water. 
  3. If everyone is supposed to be watching, then no one is. Communicate clearly with others near the water to ensure someone is actively supervising before stepping away for a moment. 
  4. Even in bodies of water that have lifeguards, continue to watch your children and remain aware of their location. 

 Swimming lessons also significantly reduce the risk of drowning, especially for young children. Organizations like the YMCA, Goldfish Swim School, and community recreation pools offer swimming lessons.  

Roughly three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly. To ensure that your child is protected, learn more about the basics of car seat safety below.

Car seats decrease the rate of fatal injuries in the event of a car crash by keeping the child in the car; protecting the head, spine, and neck; spreading crash forces over a large part of the body; and holding the child at the strongest parts of the body (shoulders and hips). They are important for keeping your child safe, and as a child grows older, the recommended kinds of car seats they should be using change.

  • Rear-facing seats should be used for children between the ages of 0 and 2+. These are among the safest types of car seats, and they ensure your child’s head and neck are especially protected.
  • Forward-facing seats with a harness should be used until a child has outgrown the seat’s weight limit. These are generally used for children between the ages of 2 and 4.
  • Booster seats can be used for children that are 4 years old or older and 40 pounds, up until the child reaches the height of 4’9”.
  • Seat belts can be used for children 4’9” or taller. Before transitioning from a booster seat to only a seat belt, a child’s knees should bend at the edge of the seat, and their feet should touch the floor.
  • A child can only sit in the front seat when they are 13+ years old. This is due to the air bags installed in a car’s front seat: they are designed to deploy at the speed of 200 miles per hour and are oriented towards the space where an adult’s chest should be in the seat. If a child is too short, they may be at greater risk of injury.

Always be sure to check your state’s laws regarding car seat and seat belt usage for children. Once a child has a car seat, it is crucial that the seat is used properly. Below are five areas that parents should consider when buying and using a car seat for their children.

 

Five Steps for Correct Car Seat Use:

  1. Selection: the best car seat is the one that fits your child, vehicle, and budget and is the one that you will use correctly every time.
  2. Direction: always face the car seat the right way.
  3. Location: choose an appropriate location in the vehicle.
  4. Harness adjustment and fit: always adjust the harness so that it follows the instructions provided with the car seat by its manufacturer. For rear-facing seats, the harness sits at or below a child’s shoulders; in forward-facing seats, the harness sits at or above the shoulders. Ensure the harness is snug using the pinch test: if you can pinch a wrinkle in the fabric on the shoulder strap, tighten the strap.
  5. Installation: secure the car seat to the vehicle seat. When a car seat is installed, it should pass the inch test: it should not move more than one inch in either direction.

Remember: always follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and read the car seat labels and manual. Set a good example for your children by buckling up while in the car.

Here are some more general tips for keeping your child safe during the summer, especially as they become more active and play outside more.  

  1. Always supervise your children, whether they are swimming or playing on the playground. 
  2. Children should be kept away from the grill. 
  3. Apply sunscreen regularly and keep your child hydrated.  
  4. Always use the appropriate safety gear for any activity, such as using a helmet while riding a bike or a life jacket while swimming. 
  5. Before you start your car, check your surroundings thoroughly to ensure no children are in the way. 
  6. Remove all potential poisonous materials from your yard, such as pesticides or harmful plants. 

Finally, always model good, safe behaviors for your child. Children learn from the environment around them, so be sure to showcase proper safety procedures for all activities.