Summer vacation is the part of the year that many families look forward to the most. Camping, swimming, road trips, sports, and many other fun activities fill the warm summer days when school is out. However, many accidents and injuries also tend to occur during these summer months, so it is important to make sure you are taking measures to keep your family safe as you enjoy your activities. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind this summer.
Don’t forget the sunscreen!
If you plan to hit the outdoors this summer, make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen. Not using sunscreen can cause you and your family members to end up with severe and even infection causing sunburns. Worse, not using sunscreen cause increase you and your children’s risk of developing skin cancer in the future. Don’t risk it—make sure you and your children are wearing a high SPF sunscreen before you hit the beach or the pool, and make sure you reapply every hour or so, as the sunscreen becomes less effective the longer you are in the water.
Practice safe driving.
Many families take advantage of summer vacation to take a road trip. If you find yourself driving this summer, make sure you don’t drive under the influence of alcohol. Many car accidents tend to occur on summer holidays like Memorial Day and July 4th , due to people drinking, so make sure you don’t become a statistic. Driving drowsy can also cause accidents due to slowed reaction times, so make sure you get your rest before getting behind the wheel! Additionally, make sure your vehicle is well-maintained. Defective vehicles can cause dangerous accidents.
Wear proper safety equipment.
Whether you’re boating, playing sports, biking, or engaging in some other fun outdoor activity, make sure you and your children are wearing the proper safety equipment. Helmets, life jackets, and other safety items may take a little extra time to put on, but they can prevent serious and even life-threatening injuries.
Be mindful of the heat.
Extreme temperatures can cause issues like heatstroke. If you live in or are traveling to a particularly hot area, make sure you take extra precautions. Stay hydrated, seek out shade, and make sure you rest if you feel dizzy. Don’t ever leave children or animals in a hot car or building, and make sure you carry water with you at all times.
Watch Out for Nature’s Dangers
Bugs, wild animals, and poisonous plants are just a few of the dangers found in nature. Many families love to head out camping and hiking in the summer, so make sure you have good insect repellant, can identify harmful plants like Poison Ivy, and avoid areas where dangerous animals live. In addition, it is best to be on the lookout for bugs and unwanted pests that may cut your summer fun short and leave you in bed sick all day.
These are just a few of the ways you can keep your family safer and healthier as you enjoy the fun of summer.