For children, summer
is the perfect season to socialize, pursue a new hobby or two, and get more
physical. However, with all the physical activity going on, summer is also the
time when the risk for injuries typically increases. Head injury prevention is
of utmost concern, as serious injuries in this particular body area not only
impair children’s development but can also be life-threatening. Whether your
children prefer to play in the yard or the great outdoors, you must always keep
their safety in mind.
A Westminster pediatrician
is the best source of information for any questions or concerns you may have about
children’s summer safety. Meanwhile, here are some simple tips, courtesy of
BrainLine.org, for you and your kids to remember so they can stay injury-free
this summer:
"Wear a helmet
A helmet
is the single most effective way to prevent head injury from a bicycle crash.
Make sure you always wear a properly fitted helmet.
Always buckle up
Motor
vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young adults 16 to 20. During
a crash, a seatbelt helps keep a person more secure inside the vehicle than if
not wearing a seatbelt.
Watch children at all times in or near water
Children
like to explore and discover new things, so take the following steps to keep
them safe:
·
Use
safety gates or define perimeters to keep children from wandering off and
getting into serious trouble, especially around backyard swimming pools. 8
Pools should always have fences all the way around them.9
·
Get
training in basic water rescue skills, first aid, and CPR.
·
Learn
to swim and teach your children to swim."
It’s perfectly all
right for you and your kids to go outside and have fun during summer. Yet be
sure to carry out the necessary precautions and to keep the above safety tips
in mind so you can enjoy your time under the sun without any regret. After all,
it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Having said all that,
you can never tell when an accident may occur. As such, you also need to have a
sensible strategy in place for any untoward incident that may occur, even in
your own home. Fortunately, a reliable Westminster pediatrics office such as Indian Crest
Pediatrics employs board-certified pediatricians who are ready to help you keep
your child safe and well all year round.
