Staying Safe this Summer

Temperatures are rising, kids are out of school and families are taking to the highways for summer vacations. As fun as the season can be, we want to make sure you and your family are staying safe! As we near the end of national safety month, it’s a good time to review these guidelines.

Playground safety

According to the National Safety Council, 80 percent playground injuries are caused by falls from equipment such as climbers, swings, slides and overhead ladders. Before your child goes to play, make sure your local playground is safe:

Make sure the protective fall surfaces- wood chips, mulch, rubber mats, etc.- are not run down or too thin.

Be sure your child is playing on age-appropriate equipment. Young children should not play on climbing equipment, adjustable seesaws or monkey bars.

Check out the scene. Avoid playground equipment looks unstable or has sharp edges protruding outward.

Water Safety

According to the National Safety Council, on average about nine people die from drowning every day in the United States (not including boating incidents). Here are some easy ways to ensure you and your family are safe in the water:

Never swim alone. When swimming with others, do not push, jump or dive on someone else.

Learn CPR and rescue techniques.

If caught in a current while swimming at the beach, don’t try to fight it; stay calm and float with it, or swim parallel to the shore until you can swim free.

Avoid consuming alcohol when swimming.

Insect Safety

The Zika Virus is on the rise in Florida and mosquitoes love the water that collects after a storm. Here are some ways to protect your family from the threat of Zika and other mosquito-borne illnesses at home or when traveling:

Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellant with DEET and wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants.

Do not leave doors or windows propped open.

Turn on air conditioning; mosquitoes prefer warm, damp and dark spaces.

 

We hope you and your loved ones have a fun and safe summer season! For more safety tips, visit the National Safety Council.