The months of May, June, July, and August are the most dangerous months for kids, with injuries and deaths peaking in July. You can help prevent your kids from getting injured this spring and summer by supervising them and insisting they use appropriate protective gear in all their activities. Remember, choose prevention over a trip to the emergency room.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has great spring and summer safety tips that cover all the bases. Check them out:
- Is Your Child Ready to Stay Home Alone? (tips on what your child should know before they stay home alone)
- Staying Safe Outdoors (tips on safety with fireworks, bugs, playgrounds, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, in-skates, and Heelys, all-terrain vehicles and lawn mowers)
- Swim Safety Tips (Pool safety, boating safety and open water swimming safety)
- Water Safety for Teens (tips for keeping your teen safe in and around the water)
- Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know (safety rules)
- Be familiar with the signs of heat illness —heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
- Be sure to use sunscreen to help prevent sunburns and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
- Biking is a great form of exercise in the summer but follow these tips on bike safety.
- Spring and summer safety videos from the AAP:
Reviewed by Debra Langlois, MD
Updated January 2020