Summertime is officially here, and with summer comes long days of swimming, lots of fireworks, and barbeques with grilling and bonfires. While these are some of the most exciting parts of summer for your little ones, they are also big risks for injury for children. In this blog, we’ll go over some safety tips to make sure your little ones can have fun doing their favorite things all summer long while staying safe!
Firework Safety For Preschoolers
Supervision is Key
The most important rule for young children and fireworks is to never allow young children to handle fireworks unsupervised. Even seemingly harmless sparklers can reach temperatures exceeding 1000°F (537°C), posing a significant burn risk.
Don’t Get Distracted
It’s important to limit distractions and anything that can affect your focus and judgment when handling fireworks, but especially if you’re handling fireworks with children around. Have a designated photo taker for fireworks if you plan to grab a few shots of your little one, so you can focus on making sure they are handling their fireworks safely and will have your hands free to jump in if there’s an emergency.
Establish a Safe Distance
Set up a designated viewing area at a safe distance from where fireworks are being ignited. Keep young children a considerable distance away from the fireworks display to prevent accidental burns or injuries from debris.
Water and Fire Extinguishers
Have a bucket of water or a hose nearby to douse spent fireworks or extinguish any unexpected fires. It’s also wise to keep a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergencies, especially if you are handling larger or more elaborate fireworks.
Water Safety For Preschoolers
No One Should Swim Alone
Make sure inexperienced or weak swimmers stay within arm’s reach of an adult. Young but experienced swimmers should stay in pairs.
Have Designated Pool Watchers
Designate an adult to watch the water for a set amount of time. Rotate however often feels comfortable, ie, every 15 minutes, so the designated adult is less likely to get distracted and gets to enjoy the day.
Remove Distractions
Avoid distractions such as books, phones, magazines, or loud music when you are the primary adult responsible for watching the swimmers.
Bathing Suit Safety
Make sure your child’s bathing suit is in a water-safe color. Blue bathing suits can be hard to spot in a pool. Colors like neon green, hot pink, and bright orange can help your child stand out in the pool, making it easier to keep track of them and spot under water.
Grill and Fire Pit Safety
Designate a Safe Zone
Create a safe zone around your grill or fire pit where your children know not to cross. For grilling, you may want to use chalk or cones to create a border that your little ones should never cross. Fire pit safe zones can be different depending on the type of fire pit you have, but the typical safe zone for grills and fire is 3 feet.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy
Whether you’re grilling or having a bonfire, keeping a fire extinguisher on hand is a great safety measure. While it can seem like an unnecessary step, it’s one that you won’t regret taking should the need for it arise.
Never Leave a Flame Unattended
If your grill is on or a fire is lit, never leave it unattended. Even if you think your child is inside and it’s safe to walk away for a minute, one miscommunication can lead to a deadly accident.
Teach Children Fire Safety Rules
Don’t wait until your child is excited to run off and play when you start to teach them safety rules. Go over safety rules in advance and explain the importance of not running near grills and fires, not throwing things near them, and to always get adult help when roasting marshmallows or getting food from near the grill.