TGVG Blog

Summer Fun, Summer Safety

Safety & Awareness | July 1, 2022

SAFE KIDS SAFETY TIPS
By Kathi Hegranes, PARTY Program Coordinator, Injury Prevention &
Outreach Coordinator, CPST-I, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah

Summer in Wisconsin is short, but sweet, and we do make the most of the season.

That also means it’s time to refresh your summer safety skills because no one wants to waste a precious day of warm weather with a trip to the ER. But know that summer can be fun AND safe with a little careful planning.

Fireworks Fun

  • Even legal fireworks can cause injury if not used properly. Always have a sober adult in charge and never give fireworks to young children. Even sparklers burn at 2000°– hot enough to melt some metals.
  • Wear safety glasses, don’t hold fireworks and never throw them at someone – even as a joke.
  • Keep kids away from others setting off fireworks. Even legal fireworks can misfire or go in the wrong direction.
  • Have a garden hose or bucket of water nearby and allow used fireworks to stand for at least 20 minutes before disposal.

Grill Skills

  • Grill fires cause more than 8,000 house fires a year. Lack of supervision is the top reason a fire can spread. Don’t let your house be an expensive example for others.
  • Use the long-handled grill tools and don’t underestimate the severity of burns from grilling. Remember – your food may smell great – but don’t lean over the grill. Just in case – keep a first aid kit nearby.
  • Children under age 5 account for roughly 25% of all burns from hot grills. The best way to keep children safe is supervision. There is no substitute for keeping an eye on the kids at all times.

Lawn Ranger

  • Nationally 80,000 to 90,000 people each year go to the ER as a result of lawn mower injuries. Even with the use of built–in safety features on lawn mowers, the number of injuries stays fairly steady from year to year.
  • No joy riding. Keep your kids alive and in one piece. Children should never be passengers on a mower. Children under 6 should stay inside when mowing, under age 12 should not be allowed to use walk behind mowers, under age 16 should not be allowed to use riding mower.
  • Don’t go back. No reverse mowing if avoidable – children and pets are in great danger in this blind spot.
  • You don’t want to catch this fastball – rocks and sticks can be thrown/flung from a power mower at speeds
    of 100–200 mph toward an unsuspecting bystander.

Water Watcher

  • A Water Watcher is a responsible adult who agrees to watch the kids in water without distractions.
    Visit SafeKids.org for more tips and information.
  • Remember drowning doesn’t look like drowning – it’s more likely to be quiet, unnoticeable and the
    person sinks silently.
  • Do not allow diving from the side or shallow end of the pool. In a lake – test the depth of the water before allowing anyone to dive.
  • Teach children over 3 to swim, but remember this doesn’t make them drown–proof.
  • Never leave a child alone in the pool or spa. No length of time is safe.

Have fun, but plan now and stick to it.

Like us on Facebook for current safety tips, recalls and upcoming activities at Safe Kids Fox Valley. Weather and COVID-19 precautions may affect scheduled events. Please check Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

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