The Ultimate Memorial Day Safety Guide for Children

The Ultimate Memorial Day Safety Guide for Children

Memorial Day is the time of year when we honor and remember the sacrifices of fallen soldiers who have died fighting for the country we hold so dear.  Kids are unfamiliar with the true meaning of this special holiday because it’s just another day for them to spend quality time with family and friends.  For most kids around the country, this day of the year signifies the unofficial start to summer.

When growing up as a child, do you remember which season of the year you were injured the most?  My best guess would be the summer.  According to “Pediatrics,” the American Academy of Pediatrics journal, Memorial Day is the holiday ranking second on the child injuries list, with Labor Day taking first place.  In this article we will discuss all of the dangers associated with the summer months, and provide you tips on how to avoid them.  Hopefully you can start taking immediate precautions starting this Memorial Day and have an injury free holiday.

Have the “coolest” baby on the block with these 5 simple sun safety tips:

Depending which part of the country you live in, May can be an exceptionally hot month.  Every father and mother knows that a hot baby is a cranky baby.  Not only will you keep your baby cool and safe, but you’ll also relieve yourself from stress by having a quiet and comfortable baby.

1.       Carry around a compact, portable, battery operated fan.
2.       A large hat that is wide brimmed
3.       Apply sunscreen – preferably something non-chemical and safe for babies under 6 months of age
4.       Placing a baby under a sun tent, canopy, or umbrella will keep your baby out of the sun’s harmful rays
5.       Dress your baby in a UV protected sun suit, or a light weight long-sleeved shirt.

Now that we’ve had our fun in the sun, let’s cool off and jump into the pool

According to SafeKids.Org, in 2008, 745 children ages 14 and under died from unintentional drowning.  Eighty-four percent of drowning deaths among children ages 5 and under occur at a home, while 45 percent of fatalities among children ages 5 to 14 occur at a public pool.  This is a staggering amount considering all the information available to us.

Here are some tips and information you can use to have the safest pool party ever:

• Make sure there is a dedicated adult to supervise your children around the pool at all times.  Having a phone nearby is good idea in the event of an emergency.
• Having a fence installed with a self closing latch will prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised.
• Never swim in a pool that has a broken, loose or missing drain cover.
• It’s always good to have someone in the family who knows CPR in the event of an emergency.
• Advise your children early on to never go near or in water without an adult present.

Now if your kids are going to playing in the sun all day, it’s essential to keep them hydrated.  Children can easily become dehydrated while playing or participating in any sort of physical activity.  Dehydration makes a child more vulnerable to a heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion, or a heat stroke.  

Here’s what to look for if you think your child is showing signs of dehydration:

• Dry or sticky mouth
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Thirst

Here are 4 Tips You Can Use to Prevent Your Child from Dehydrating:

1.       Children under 90 pounds should drink 5 ounces of water every 20 minutes during any activity.
2.       Drink 12 ounces of fluid 30 minutes before any physical activity.
3.       Don’t wait for your child to let you know he/she is thirsty; make time for set drink breaks.
4.       After a physical activity, children should drink fluids to make up for fluid loss during the physical activity.

There’s a lot to look forward to in the summer months. The most important: fun with the family.  Make your summer a safe and enjoyable one to remember!

This guest post was written by Kevin Raposo, a blogger for SimpliSafe.  Kevin covers issues related to home security, crime, safety, and consumer issues.  Kevin is a dedicated writer and musician, spreading the word through music and blogging.  SimpliSafe is a leader in the wireless home security field.

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