Parent Tips--“Keep It Safe” In the Great Outdoors

One of the healthiest activities for your kids has little to do with television, computer, surfing the web and video games. Getting your kids to step outside, take a deep breath of fresh air and participate in fun outdoor activities is a big step in the right direction for a healthy lifestyle. Being outdoors also exposes your child to some risks so we’ve put together some simple, yet very important safety tips you should know to help make your child a “Safe America Kid.”

Life Saving Skills is Job Number One! Invest a small amount of time to take a CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) class. Learning this and other life saving skills could be a life saving decision. While each of the following tips will create a Safe America for kids, knowing CPR and basic life saving skills empowers you as a life saver!

Be Aware! Don’t Be Afraid to Stare: It is critical to keep a very close eye on your children. It only takes a few seconds for a child to be caught in a very dangerous situation. Always watch your young child closely when playing outdoors to help create a Safe America for children.

Shun The Sun: It is even more important for children to wear a sun-blocking lotion than adults. A child’s skin is more susceptible to sun damage so it is critical to make sure that all exposed skin on your child is covered with a sun-block lotion that carries an SPF rating of 30 or higher. Please consult with your local pharmacist as to the best sun-block lotion for your child.

Soften Up Playground Equipment: Inspect outdoor play equipment to see if repairs are needed before allowing children to use it. Creating a Safe America for kids means keeping an eye out for sharp edges and rust. Remember, exposed concrete can cause multiple injuries to your child. Be sure to put fresh mulch or sand under your jungle-gym or play area. A soft area to land on means a Safe America.

Rule Pools: More and more neighborhood pools are unguarded by professional life guards. Now more than ever you must learn how to “rule the pool” for a Safe America. Never let your child play alone by the pool. Place all personal items such as toys, umbrellas, tables and chairs away from the pool’s edge. A child near the water can easily lose balance and fall in. If you own a permanent pool, investing in a fence and adding self-locking gates with latches high enough not to be touched by young children could be a life saving purchase. If you own a pool you should get your CPR certification.

The Green House Effect: Plants, trees, flowers and shrubs are beautiful and interesting to children, but many can be poisonous. You can find regional information from library books or your local chamber of commerce detailing which plants in your area are dangerous. Get rid of those poisonous plants that are within reach of your child. Don’t panic if your child does decide to munch on some greenery. Calmly remove any bits of the plant from your child’s mouth and call your local poison control center for assistance.

Protect Kids by Protecting Poison: Keep all poisonous outdoor fertilizers and pesticides in high cabinets out of the reach of children. Be sure to lock them up whenever possible. Kids should be encouraged to be outside to play, but discouraged to be outside when you are utilizing these poisonous products. Kids should stay away from areas treated with fertilizer, pesticides and anything poisonous for several days after use. Be sure to read each label for specific usage directions.

“Looking For Fun in All the Wrong Places”: No matter the height…decks, porches and balconies are accidents waiting to happen. Make sure that kids cannot fit through railings or get their heads stuck in between railings by checking the width between each one. Children just learning to walk are more apt to fall on decks because of uneven boards so keep a close eye on them. Toddlers that are teething love to chew so be extra careful that they don’t sink their teeth into treated wood or surfaces that have been painted or stained. Securely block off stairs and exits of outdoor spaces to prevent escapes and falls.

Dangerous Equipment Must be Tamed: Make sure to remove all lawn equipment, rakes, clipping tools and other tools from the reach of children. It is safest to lock them up in a secure garage or shed. It helps to not have children near you when you are using garden tools and lawn equipment, in particular mowers. Children can be hit by flying debris. They can also be easily tempted to play with equipment they see an adult use which is a recipe for danger.

Dangerous Driveways and Streets: Be firm by enforcing strict areas for your children to play outdoors that are well away from driveways and streets. Whenever possible, provide a play area surrounded by a secure fence. Supervise all riding toys and make sure they are used on secure sidewalks or other safe areas, never in a road or street.