Top summer safety tips every family needs to know
With summer here and families heading outdoors, health experts are urging parents to take extra precautions around water.
Pediatrician Dr. Scott Cyrus says drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 0 to 4 and the second leading cause for kids ages 5 to 9.
“It’s a scary, scary time,” Dr. Cyrus said. “And not to mention, you may even have a near-drowning, which could be really catastrophic because of the fact that it gives a lifetime of care to the child.”
Cyrus emphasized how quickly and quietly drownings can occur.
“A lot of times, you look at the movies and you see children thrashing around in the water. Believe it or not, drowning is silent and it is very quick,” he said.
Supervision And Barriers Are Key
Drowning often happens when a parent or caregiver is momentarily distracted. Cyrus warns that constant supervision is essential when children are swimming — whether in pools, lakes, rivers or bathtubs.
“When you think about somebody who’s supervising the children swimming, it’s extremely important that they stay focused on that,” he said. “They don’t get distracted and start talking or just step inside for a second.”
Even small amounts of water can pose a danger.
“You may leave your child in the bathtub just to go answer the door. Don’t,” Cyrus said. “They may slip or fall and hit their head, become unconscious. So no, you’d never want to leave the child alone in a body of water.”
Life Jackets And Swim Lessons Recommended
Cyrus urges families to use life jackets when visiting lakes or creeks and to consider formal swim lessons.
“You need to teach your children how to swim or have it formally taught to them,” he said.
He also offered advice on choosing visible swimwear.
“The color of the swimming suit makes the child visible versus invisible,” Cyrus said. “Camouflage swimming suits are easily invisible in lake water. Big contrasting colors — neon pink, orange, yellow — all those kinds of colors really make the child stand out.”
Choose Bright Colors To Improve Visibility
Water conditions vary, but even in clear pools, certain swimsuit colors can blend in with the background, making it difficult to spot a child. Cyrus said the right clothing can help prevent tragedy.
“You think about pools that have dark backgrounds or pools that have lighter backgrounds, and then you think about all the bodies of water, lakes and ponds,” he said. “It’s very, very important to think about the color of the bathing suit so that if they were to have problems, they could be easily spotted even below the surface of the water.”
Sunscreen Safety For Young Children
Cyrus also addressed another summer risk: sun exposure. He advises avoiding sunscreen for infants younger than six months.
“Their skin is sensitive, it’s easily absorbed,” he said. “You need to think about mineral-based sunscreens. It needs to block the UVA and the UVB rays.”
For older children, consistent application is key. “Applying and reapplying is very, very important,” Cyrus said. “That first burn is a progressive thing, and it can set them up for skin cancer, especially melanoma.”
