Through a child’s eyes, summer looks like an endless array of long, playful days. But as a grown-up, you see things a bit differently. In addition to the fun, you also see the dangers that lurk outdoors that can lead to broken bones, burns, and bike crashes.
It’s hard to know which view to take: the free spirit or the safety cop. Stop trying to choose a side. You can strike a balance between your adult nature and your inner child (yes, the one that agrees that dirt doesn’t hurt).
“Know what safety steps are nonnegotiable for four popular kid pastimes. Check them off your list, then go have some fun,” says Julia Plotke, Trauma Director at Sky Ridge Medical Center.
🚴 Biking
Don’t rush your child off training wheels — most aren’t ready for a two-wheeled bike until age 5. Choose one that fits properly, allowing your young cyclist to place both feet on the ground while sitting on the seat.
“When your child rides, insist that he or she wears a helmet for every ride,” notes Plotke. “Choose one that meets the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (check the inside label for the stamp of approval). In the event of a crash, helmets protect kids from more severe injury.”
🏊 Swimming
Never let kids near pools or other bodies of water unattended. Designate at least one adult who knows how to swim and can oversee kids without distraction. For infants and toddlers, this grown-up should stay at arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”
Swimming lessons may help protect your little one from drowning. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends signing kids up when they’re ready, which almost always occurs by age 4. Still, even trained swimmers need a watchful adult nearby. And keep safety equipment, such as life preservers, on hand.
⚽ Team Sports
Ensure your child plays against opponents of similar size and ability, even if they’re different ages. And help children train for their sport. Proper physical conditioning can protect arms, legs, and other body parts from damage. Coaches can also help design programs that increase strength and fitness safely over time.
To stay cool in hot temperatures, encourage coaches to schedule games and practices in the morning or late afternoon instead of the heat of the day. Give your child a water break every 20 minutes. And stop the game and call for help if your child shows signs of heat-related illness, including faintness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
🌳 The Playground
Start by installing equipment properly and safely when in your yard. Choose all-weather woods and metal covered with heat-reducing coating. Place energy-absorbent materials such as safety-tested mats or wood chips underneath playground equipment. Make sure it covers at least six feet in all directions (even farther for swings and slides).
“Before playtime, check the temperature of all equipment,” adds Plotke. “Watch children closely, especially those attempting to climb to heights above their head.” Frequently inspect equipment for loose joins, rusted chains, or jagged edges that could catch a child’s clothing, and make necessary repairs immediately.
😌 Stay Calm When Trouble Strikes
The sight of blood or the sound of a child crying can rattle any parent. But keeping calm when injuries occur helps you make better decisions.
To maintain a cool head, here are a few tips from the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Sky Ridge Pediatric Emergency Department:
- Plan in advance. Talk with your child’s doctor about the signs and symptoms of a medical emergency. Create a checklist to guide you on when to go the hospital, when to call an ambulance, and when you can just check in with the doctor. Complete a medical history form for your child, and bring it — along with any medications he or she takes — if you do have to seek emergency care.
- Study first aid. Learning the correct way to manage bleeding, shock, and other disasters can help you stay focused and take swift action in the initial moments after an injury occurs. “Take a course through an organization like the American Red Cross,” notes Dr. David Stocker, Medical Director of the Sky Ridge Pediatric Emergency Department.
- Keep a first aid kit nearby. Store a clear, waterproof plastic container with medical supplies where every adult in the family can reach it. Include medications, bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, small scissors, and related items.
- Trust the pros. Know that emergency medical personnel are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “Our team is trained to provide lifesaving care after you make that call to 911,” says Dr. Stocker.
- Tend to your child’s emotions. Once immediate danger has passed, your child may feel anxious and scared. Take time to soothe fears as well as physical pain. Ask what he or she is feeling and provide honest, realistic reassurance.
In a final summer word from our Emergency Department Medical Director Dr. Adam Barkin, “When thunder roars, get indoors!”
| Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Sky Ridge Medical Center 10101 RidgeGate Parkway Lone Tree, CO 80124
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