Summer is all about sun and fun, right? While this is true, for summer to truly be fun, you have to play it safe. Avoid summer bummers like injury and illness with the following safety tips that are aimed to help you and your toddler get the most enjoyment out of the beautiful weather.
One of the most common – and most painful summertime ailments is sunburn. Gone are the days when a suntan was required summer attire, especially for kids. These days, sun protection is serious business. Of course, toddlers can be finicky, so enlist their help in choosing a fun sun hat, sun glasses, and some sun protective clothing so that they will wear it. Sunscreen is also a must, but sometimes toddlers to not enjoy the experience of being slathered with it. Again, have them help you choose one at the store – bonus points if you try to steer them towards one from the list put out by the Environmental Working Group. The sunscreens on that list have fewer chemicals in them than regular garden variety sunscreens.
Water play is so much fun, and water safety is an absolute must. Keep your children safe by covering pools when they are not in use and emptying buckets of water after you are finished using them. Supervise your toddler at all times whenever they are near any container or body of water, no matter how small, because drowning can happen in very little water and in a very short amount of time.
Keep picnicking safe by packing your lunches with plenty of ice packs to keep them cold. Also avoid leaving things like potato salad, tuna salad, and anything else with mayonnaise out on the table or counter for a while. You would be surprised how little time it takes those things to get warm on a hot summer day. When you grill, use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Also, keep meats in the fridge until the grill is hot and it’s time to put them on it.
Take a look around the yard and identify any poison ivy or other dangerous plants that are found in your geographic area. Remember where they are and either remove them (learn how to do so safely first) or keep your child away from them. Teach your curious toddler not to eat any plants that they see in the yard.
Every home and yard present different safety issues for young children. Keeping curious, fearless toddlers safe can feel like a full time job sometimes. With common sense as your guide, you and your toddler will be able to enjoy a safe summer filled with lots of fun outdoor activities.
Photo by charmainestewart on morguefile.com.