Memorial Day weekend just ended, and that means the unofficial start of the summer has begun. The kids will be off from school but parents can’t take time off from keeping their children safe. The Cooper Trauma team has a few very important tips for all to follow as we celebrate summer and fun in the sun:
There Is No Substitute for Active Supervision Around Water
Whether you are swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake, teach children to swim with an adult. From the first time your kids swim, teach children to never go near or in water without an adult. Educate your children about the dangers of drain entanglement and entrapment and teach them to never play or swim near drains or suction outlets. And remember that swimming aids such as water wings or noodles are fun toys for kids, but they should never be used in place of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD).
Don’t Forget About Hyperthermia
As the temperature rises, it’s important to remember that while these summer days are great for the pool and the beach, they’re not so good for the inside of cars, which can raise to deadly temperatures in a very short period of time. Caregivers need to remember to never leave children alone in cars. Parents should remember ACT:
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And, make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.
Fireworks Are Exciting but Injure More Than 3,500 Children Each Summer
Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. In 2012, an estimated 3,998 children ages 19 and under had injuries involving fireworks that resulted in trips to the emergency room. While fireworks can be fun to watch, they also can be dangerous, especially around kids. Leave the firework displays to the professionals.
To learn more about safety programs at Cooper, visit CooperHealth.org/trauma click on Safe Kids Southern New Jersey.
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