Safety Tips for Summer Family Fun

School’s out for summer and families are heading outdoors to enjoy warmer temperatures and longer days from now until Labor Day. Whether it’s time to fire up the barbeque, linger at the pool or cheer from the baseball bleachers, summer is a wonderful opportunity for children, parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents to stack up fun memories while staying injury-free and healthy.

Here are a number of summer safety tips for babies to seniors to be active and remain cool:

Food and Drink

• Drink plenty of water, roughly 2 litres a day per person.
• Keep perishable and mayonnaise-based foods in an insulated cooler with plenty of ice.
• Defrost and marinate foods only in the refrigerator.

Clothing

• Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing with a loose fit.
• Keep on a wide-brimmed hat to reduce direct exposure to the sun.

Sun and Insect Protection

• Apply and re-apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
• Limit time in the sun during the highest UV light hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved repellent to prevent mosquito and other insect bites.
• Check everyone, including pets, for ticks, especially in areas where Lyme disease is common.

Physical Activity

• Leave outdoor activities to the morning or evening.
• Supervise children around all water sources.
• Wear life jackets when boating and participating in other water sports.
• Avoid the use of fireworks, which can lead to severe burn and eye injuries.
• Seek immediate medical attention if anyone shows signs of heat-related illness.

Outdoor recreational activities are a highlight of summer. With a little precaution, everyone in the family can give an upbeat report on “Why I Loved My Summer.”

What summer safety tips do you recommend for families?

An award-winning journalist who has documented stories in nearly 20 countries, Beth Lueders is an author, writer and speaker who frequently reports on diverse topics, including aging and health issues for both U.S. and international corporations.