Summer Safety Tips











Summer is obviously the right time to teach your children to swim. And you should teach them early. You never know when you'll be in a situation where knowing how to swim can save your life. So don't be afraid of the water. But there are some things to keep in mind.

First of all, drowning is silent. Many people think it's like in the movies with the person flailing around making a lot of noise. It's not and it can happen in seconds. So parents need to have their eyes on the child at all times. I actually had a patient where the child was 8 years old in a backyard pool and a good swimmer. The father was physically there, just a few feet away from the child but his back was turned. This little girl almost drowned. She survived, but it takes just seconds. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security because your child can swim.

For times when you are not there supervising, the kids should not be in the pool. All pools should be fenced in to prevent accidents. And with any water sports, make sure the kids wear life jackets at all times.

Are trampolines really the injury magnets many people think they are, or can they be used safely?

Here's an amazing stat: 93,000 children are injured every year on trampolines. Two of the major organizations for child safety, the American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids, both recommend against owning a backyard trampoline.

But if you are going to, there are some things you must know. Trampolines are only for children over the age of 6. For older kids who may use it, you must install safety netting around it to prevent major injuries that can result from falling off. But you don't even have to fall off the trampoline to hurt yourself, and injuries to arms and legs are the most common. Next, only one person at a time should be using the trampoline. And they should be sure to remain in the center because the edges, where the springs attach can be very dangerous. And as always, children should be supervised at all times.