6 Tips for Outdoor Summer Safety

Outdoor exploration during the summer often leads to treasured family memories. However, those memories can turn sour when they involve heat exhaustion, allergic reactions to bug bites or close calls in the water. Staying safe should be a top priority, especially when children are involved. If your child learns about safety early on, those lessons will help them throughout their life. Here are a few tips for outdoor safety in the summer heat.

Hydrate Frequently

Almost no one drinks enough water, especially when they’re out in the heat. Even if it doesn’t feel that hot outside, make sure you and your child are drinking plenty of water. Drink plain water every 20 minutes. If you’re out for more than an hour, consider bringing an electrolyte mix for your water or an electrolyte replenishing drink like Gatorade. Dehydration is a major cause of heat-related issues such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Wear Sun Protection

Protection from the sun comes in many forms. Before spending a significant amount of time in the sun with your child, gear up with hats and sunglasses. Then, generously apply sunscreen to all visible areas of your body and theirs. Once you’re out in the sun, stick to shady areas when possible, especially between the hours of 10am and 2pm. If you’re out for several hours, reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Not protecting your family from the sun can result in sunburn and, after repeated exposure, lead to skin cancer.

Don’t Let the Bugs Bite

For most people, getting bitten by bugs is just an annoyance. However, some children suffer from allergic reactions, which can cause anything from external swelling to anaphylaxis. Some bugs, like mosquitoes, spread diseases like the West Nile and Zika viruses. Bug spray with DEET provides protection from most bugs. Children over two months of age should use sprays with a 10%-20% concentration, while using up to 30% is safe for adults. Don’t wear scented soaps, perfumes, and hair sprays, as bugs are attracted to their scents. Avoid spending time around standing water, where mosquitoes often congregate.

Stay Vigilant at the Pool

The best pools to go to are ones with lifeguards on duty. However, not every pool has that luxury. Whenever your child wants to go to the pool, make sure you or a trusted buddy goes with them. Sign your child up for swimming lessons so they’ll be able to hold their own in the water. Until you’re confident in their swimming skills, have them use life jackets or arm floaties. No matter how strong of a swimmer they are, accidents happen. Keep a watchful eye, and act quickly if there’s an emergency.

Monitor Campfires

Campfires create the perfect backdrop for great summer memories. However, they can cause problems if they get out of hand. Before gathering around the fire as a family, talk to your child about fire safety. Supervise children the whole time the fire is going to make sure they don’t burn themselves or cause the fire to spread. This is a great opportunity to lead by example. Practice fire safety while the fire is going, and put the fire out completely before walking away. 

Practice Playground Safety

Children love playgrounds, but some children love testing the limits of playground equipment. Show your child how to properly use the equipment if they’re having trouble. Tell them about playground etiquette, like waiting for other children to use the slide and looking out before sliding or jumping down. Leave bikes, backpacks, and other items away from the equipment to avoid creating a tripping hazard. Make sure the equipment is safe before allowing your child to use it. If it’s wet, it can cause your child to slip or fall. If it’s hot to the touch, it can cause contact burns. By staying safe on the playground, your children will learn good habits that will help them out later in life.

Brevard private schools encourage families to stay safe, especially when making memories outdoors over the summer. We challenge students to be creative and critical thinkers who integrate faith, moral leadership, and compassionate service to make a better world. Through a low student-teacher ratio, classroom technology, and a variety of enrichment activities, we strive to inspire excellence in our students. Contact us to learn more!