Keeping Your Children Safe This Summer

Summer is a fun time for children. You can make sure they are safe by following these tips.

Teach your children how to call for help. Teach them how to call 911 from home, a cell phone, or from a public phone in an emergency. Make sure your children know their last name, address, and phone number.

Make sure your children wear a helmet when bicycling or skateboarding. Head injuries can be serious. If your child falls, a helmet will protect his or her head.

Teach your children about water safety. If your children are swimming, an adult should always be watching. Children can drown very quickly. Always empty the water in small "kiddy" pools after using them. Small children can drown in just a few inches of water.

Teach them to say no to strangers, drugs, and weapons. Children need to know it is OK to say no to a stranger. Teach them to never go anywhere with someone they don't know. Also teach them to stay away from drugs and weapons. Keep guns out of your home. If you choose to have a gun, put a trigger lock on it and keep it locked away. Keep the bullets in a different place.

Use window guards on windows above ground level. Children can fall out of an open window even if there is a screen. Also, make sure there is netting over openings in balconies and porch railings. Children can fall through these openings too.

Make sure the playground is safe. Check the equipment to make sure it is safe and in good condition before letting children play on it. Your children can be hurt by falling from a swing onto cement. Sand is better. Also teach your children how to be safe. For example, tell them they shouldn't walk near a moving swing.