Keep Summer Memorable and Safe

By Christa Green, MPH, pediatric injury prevention coordinator for MUSC Children's Health & Safe Kids Charleston Area coalition coordinator and Terrence E. Steyer, M.D., Department of Family Medicine

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Summer 2021 promises to be a lot different from last year, and who isn't looking forward to the prospect of outdoor picnics, barbecues, hours at the beach or lake and dips in a pool?

Whether you're planning a family reunion at the beach or staying home by the backyard pool, we recommend following these safety tips to help ensure your summer is memorable for all the right reasons. First tip: Adults set the example for children, so be sure to model your behavior for them. Children mimic you.

Golf Cart Safety

Golf carts can be dangerous because they don't have the same protection and visibility that a car or truck does. Golf carts are motorized vehicles and are not to be driven by anyone without a valid driver's license or on a roadway where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph. Follow the safety rules. Keep in mind that children do not have the training and road awareness to operate a golf cart. Stay close to home; drive only where they're legal to drive, and drive only during the daylight. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children younger than 6 years should not ride in golf carts. If possible, use a golf cart with seat belts and all-wheel brakes. Make sure your child sits with his/her back touching the seat's back and holds onto the cart's hand grips to prevent sliding off the seat and falling out of the moving cart.

Heat and heat stroke

Southern summers can be brutally hot. Know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Nausea, dizziness and muscle cramps are signs of heat exhaustion. Heat stroke is more serious and causes confusion, hot, dry or moist skin, rapid breathing and a racing pulse. Never leave an infant or a child in a car unattended. The leading cause of non-crash vehicular deaths in children is being left in a hot car. Make it a habit to always check your back seat when getting out of your car. Leave a purse or briefcase in the back of your car with your children to serve as a reminder.

Water Safety

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is the second biggest cause of death, behind birth defects, in children age 1-4. Never let a child out of your sight near water, and be sure your child has a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits properly. In the ocean, know how to swim out of a rip current, and never let your children be more than an arm's length away. If you have a pool, enclose it with a fence. Encourage swim lessons for children and adults. If you're boating or kayaking, check to see if the marina has a loaner board where you can get life vests.

Grilling and Food Safety

Always grill or build your campfire in an open area away from flammable products, and keep children from getting close to either. Create a safety zone around your grill, camp fire or fire pit and teach children not to cross it. Never leave a child unsupervised near an open flame. Clean your grill before using and examine a gas grill carefully for any potential safety hazards. Don't use an accelerant such as gasoline to jumpstart a fire. Wear a mitt and use long-handled utensils to avoid burns. Keep raw meats separated from other foods, and discard marinade after grilling. Keep cold foods cold, and hot foods hot. Cold foods should be kept at 40 degrees or below, and hot foods at 140. Do not let foods stay out longer than an hour in hot summer temperatures (90 degrees Fahrenheit).

Bugs and pesky insects

Does it seem like every insect in the neighborhood finds its way to your patio or walking trail when you're outdoors? Whether hiking or relaxing on the patio, nobody wants to spend time swatting pesky mosquitoes and other flying insects. This year, ticks have been found at beaches, increasing the risk for Lyme disease, so always check your body for ticks when you return from outdoors. Spray your body with insect repellent, preferably one containing DEET, before you go outdoors. And if you'e hiking, wear long sleeves and pants.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Gazing at calm water can be soothing, but the best place for water on a hot day is in a bottle or a glass in your hand or within easy reach. Extreme heat can sneak up on you, so drink plenty of it to regulate your body temperature.

Fireworks

They're spectacular, but they can cause significant injury and burns. Bottom line: Attend a public display instead of shooting them off in your backyard. Give children glow sticks instead of hand-held sparklers. If you do set off fireworks at home, create a safety zone away from the fireworks source that children cannot enter.

Pedestrian and Bike Safety

Always wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road. Motorists, be aware that summer brings more children and adults walking and bicycling on streets and roads. Be watchful and observe the speed limit.

Sun Safety

Lather on the sunscreen, one with a sun protection factor of at least 30, and reapply as directed. Wear a wide-brimmed hat; avoid sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and keep skin covered.

For more sun safety tips, check out Dr. Reeve's Sun Safety blog.