Keep family safe, healthy
Associated Press
Active supervision of kids in pools is essential — and that means the adult shouldn't be reading, talking on the phone or napping. The designated water-watcher should stay close enough to see and hear the children at all times.
By Patti Martin
Gannett News Service
Hey, summer's past its peak already! Many families have already sent their children back to school, and others are immersed in getting ready for it. But the season is still in full swing, with all the pull outdoor activities exert on keiki. To keep your family safe and healthy this summer, we offer a variety of tips:
Water safety
Drowning is the second leading injury-related killer of kids ages 1 to 14, but these tragedies can be prevented if parents practice four "Water Safety Wisdoms" highlighted by the National SAFE Kids Campaign:
• Supervision: SAFE Kids recommends adults take turns serving as the designated water-watcher, whose sole responsibility is to actively supervise children in or near the water (and not allow themselves to be distracted by common practices such as eating, reading, talking to others, talking on cell phones, or napping). Active supervision means that the adult can always see and hear the child and stays close enough to intervene in an emergency.
• Environment: Improve safety around residential pools and spas with installation and proper use of four-sided isolation fencing, which could prevent an estimated 50 percent to 90 percent of residential pool drownings. Isolation fencing means the fence completely separates the pool area from the house and rest of the property, so a child cannot walk directly out a back door to the pool.
• Gear: Use properly fitting life vests in and around water, especially when boating, riding in personal watercraft and participating in water sports, to prevent an estimated 85 percent of boat-related drownings.
• Education: Enroll children in swimming lessons with a certified instructor by the age of 8. Nearly three-quarters of drowning victims researched did not know how to swim.
Dehydration
Warm temperatures, paired with outside activities, can easily find a person becoming dehydrated. "Defeat the Heat," a joint program of the National SAFE Kids Campaign, the National Athletic Trainers' Association and The Gatorade Company, offers these tips to avoid dehydration:
• Always drink before, during and after an activity to replace the fluids lost through sweat.
• Bring the proper fluids. Research shows sports drinks, which contain electrolytes, hydrate best.
• Consider fluids as part of the essential safety equipment for sports.
Bicycle safety
Statistics don't lie. According to the national SAFE Kids Campaign, an estimated 75 percent of bicycle-related deaths among children could be prevented with a bicycle helmet. SAFE Kids offers these wheel safety tips:
• Make sure kids (and adults) wear properly fitting helmets and other protective gear every time they ride their bikes, scooters, in-line skates or skateboards.
• Teach your children the rules of the road and practice obeying traffic laws with them.
• Make sure bicycles have a light and reflectors on the front, back and sides.
• Ride with traffic, not against it. Ride as far to the right as possible.
• Don't ride when it's dark. If riding at dusk, dawn or in the evening is unavoidable, wear retroreflective material on clothing or bike, and use lights on the bike.
• A proper bike fit and maintenance can help prevent injuries. A child's feet should reach the ground while sitting on the bike seat. Make sure the reflectors are secure, brakes work properly, gears shift smoothly and tires are tightly secured and properly inflated.
Barbecue safety
Few things taste better than food cooked on the grill. Yet every year, thousands of Americans end up in hospital emergency rooms with everything from burns to carbon monoxide poisoning. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association offer these tips for safe gas grilling:
• Barbecue grills are designed for outdoor use only. Never barbecue in a tent, trailer, house, garage or any enclosed area because carbon monoxide may build up.
• Use long-handle barbecue utensils to avoid burns and splatters.
• Wear clothing that does not have hanging shirt tails, frills or apron strings, and use flame retardant mitts when adjusting hot vents.
• Use baking soda to control a grease fire and have a fire extinguisher handy.
• Never leave a grill unattended once it is lit.
Boat safety
Whether you are guiding a sailboat or a dinghy, these safety guidelines from the American Red Cross will ensure the safety of you and your passengers:
• Be weather wise: Sudden wind shifts, lightning flashes and choppy water all can mean a storm is brewing. Bring a portable radio to check weather reports.
• Bring extra gear you may need: A flashlight, extra batteries, matches, a map of where you are, flares, sun tan lotion, first aid kit, extra sunglasses. Put those that need to be protected in a watertight pouch or a container that floats.
• Tell someone where you're going, who is with you, and how long you'll be away.
Hiking and camping
Hiking and camping provide exercise and interest. Just getting out and walking around is a wonderful way to see nature. Because unexpected things happen, however, the best way to help guarantee a good time for all is to plan ahead carefully and follow commonsense safety precautions from the American Red Cross:
• Review the equipment, supplies and skills that you'll need. Consider what emergencies could arise and how you would deal with those situations. What if you got lost, or were unexpectedly confronted by an animal? What if someone became ill or injured? What kind of weather might you encounter?
• Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or hiking adventure. You might need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter or give first aid. Practice your skills in advance.
• If your trip will be strenuous, get into good physical condition before setting out. If you plan to climb or travel to high altitudes, make plans for proper acclimatization to the altitude.
• It's safest to hike or camp with at least one companion. If you'll be entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you'll be going into an area that is unfamiliar to you, take along someone who knows the area or at least speak with those who do before you set out.
• Some areas require you to have reservations or certain permits. If an area is closed, do not go there. Find out in advance about any regulations — there may be rules about campfires or guidelines about wildlife.
• Pack emergency signaling devices, and know ahead of time the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station in case an emergency does occur on your trip.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person. Include such details as the make, year, and license plate of your car, the equipment you're bringing, the weather you've anticipated and when you plan to return.
