Great Summer Safety Tips from MommyDocs
June 28, 2009 by Kailani
Filed under family topics
I don’t know about your kids but mine live outdoors during the Summer months. They love to play in the backyard pool and have picnics in the shade. It’s great for me because it keeps the house clean for at least a couple of hours! However, it’s during these times that families must be extra careful when it comes to outdoor exposures to heat, germs, playground safety, and dehydration.
To help you stay safe during the summer heat, Mommy Docs, The Clorox Company, & Mom Central have joined up to provide you with these valuable safety tips:
Staying Safe at BBQs. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don’t forget to check that your child’s hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.
Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don’t forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)
Staying Healthy and Hydrated. Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.
Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds. Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!
Saving on Spills. Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don’t have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don’t forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)
Have a safe and fun summer!
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Owner of An Island Life and Family Review Network. Wife, mother, and flight attendant . . . living a blessed life in Hawaii. |
These are some excellent tips for parents with the summer heat starting to drive the kids all outside more. Dehydration for a start has been something which has been repeatedly overlooked when the children are out to play, which causes a range of nasty effects that I’ve seen.. I think you’ll find that few parents consider all of these aspects because they may sometimes seem insignificant, and there are so many other things to worry about, but it’s well worth going over in my opinion for the children’s sakes! Thanks for the post.
and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Oh yes, great tips! I love to keep a cooler out back for the kids to refill their cups whenever with refreshing cool water right at hand! We use lots of sunscreen, and I love Topricinkids for all kinds of aches, pains, blisters, bee stings etc for my kiddos! It works great and is all natural! We also like to take sheets outside and make a tent for them- providing great shade on a sunny day
Thanks, smilinggreenmom *tweet me!!
Had to Tweet This One, Thanks! If you’ve got Twitter, follow me @govision2020 ! Cheers
This post brings up an excellent point and at a critical time of the year. I work with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and wanted to reach out about a website, AfterTheInjury.org, that I believe everyone should know about as we enter the summer months. Although we hope that all families have a safe and happy summer, we know that approximately 2.5 million children will be treated in an ER or hospitalized for an injury this summer. As such, our doctors call the summer “Trauma Season.†As scars begin to heal and crutches are finally put aside, many parents naturally focus on their child’s physical injury and can overlook the fact that a full recovery is both mental and physical for their kids. AfterTheInjury.org is an important tool for parents as they help their child deal with the whole injury and care for their child’s emotions along with their wounds. The website provides a wealth of information from cast care tips, to helping kids with their emotional reactions to injury, to how to take care of yourself, as a parent, when your child is injured.
When each summer comes around I begin to panic because I know my kids will be mostly outdoors during the day as they go to day camp 5 days a week. However, this year I finally eased my worries and came prepared. I equipped my 2 kids with Motorola W376s from TracFone. They’re prepaid wireless phones with a limited amount of minutes that I have paid for so I can keep in contact with my kids. I don’t need to worry about expensive bills and running up overages because everything is prepaid. They can call me whenever they want, in fact I rarely call them at all because they’re always calling me! Its great to know I can have some peace of mind knowing that I can get a hold of my kids in case of an emergency.