Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • Build a Sandbox
  • The Play Value Of Sand
  • With Community Helpers the Play Lady Receives the Fred Rodgers Helpers Award
  • Texas Legislating Recess
  • Keeping the Fun in Fundraising
  • See Accessibility Through the Eyes of a Child
  • Outdoor Play for Children with Intellectual Disabilities on Playgrounds

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Play
  3. Health
  4. Summer Safety 101: Home Hazards to Watch Out For

Summer Safety 101: Home Hazards to Watch Out For

Health
August 26, 2020
PGP Contributor
By Sarah Hollenbeck on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
96
Summer Safety 101

Summer Safety 101

We all know that plenty of time outdoors is good for children’s health and wellbeing. Not only do they need an adequate amount of vitamin D per day, but time outdoors (and away from screens) can invoke their imagination and teach valuable lessons about communication and exercise. And this summer, as we avoid major gatherings and restaurants, there is a wealth of opportunity for outdoor play.

Unfortunately, there are some safety concerns every parent should be aware of. As homes undergo natural wear and tear over the years, a once-safe home can quickly turn dangerous if not kept up with. Things like worn-down fences, insects, exposed wiring, and left-out cleaning equipment can harm children more than you’d think, especially for those few minutes you don’t have your eyes on them. Luckily, there are a variety of steps you can take to keep your children safe this summer while letting them have some freedom.

Summer Home Prep

Prepping your home for the summer involves some hard work, but is well worth it. Start by maintaining your yard, trimming any overgrown bushes or tree limbs, and removing toxic plants from your children’s reach. This will allow you to let them run loose in the backyard without any worry. Spraying for bugs and checking the functionality of your gates is important too, to minimize bug bites and keep pets from getting loose.

Summer Safety Checklist For Parents

Next, set some ground rules with your children. No matter if they are a tech-junkie or love to roam the neighborhood with their friends, they need to know what expectations you have for them. If they prefer to stay indoors, make sure to set device limits to encourage them to spend time outside. If your kids are hardly ever home, setting neighborhood boundaries and curfews can keep them safe and ensure they are home on time. You should also consider exploring the neighborhood and nearby parks together (especially if you just moved into a new home) so that you can spot potentially dangerous areas and let them know where not to go.

Grilling and Fire Safety For Families

Fire safety is another great lesson to teach your children when they’re young. No matter if you just plan to have some grill-outs this summer or are known for your backyard bonfires, showing children the proper way to behave around a flame can help keep everyone safe. Generally, kids and pets should be at least three feet away from a fire at all times. The fire should also be clear of any flammable materials or trees, to help prevent a wildfire from starting. Keeping a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher nearby can’t hurt either, in case of an accident. 

 

Avoiding Pool Injuries and Accidents

Lastly, pool safety is another important part of parenthood. No matter if you have a full, in-ground pool or a small inflatable pool, teaching children how to swim early is crucial to prevent accidental drowning. Inflatable pools should be drained when not in use, and in-ground pools need to be covered or gated to prevent kids from gaining access when you aren’t around. Getting CPR certified is a good idea as well, as you’ll be better equipped to help your child (or a neighbors child) in the event of an accident.

Summer is a child’s favorite time of the year, and for good reason. No school and plenty of playtime, what’s not to love? But as a parent, you know better. Taking the time to ensure your home is properly set up for your child is so important to giving them a great summer experience. Not to mention the peace of mind and relaxation you definitely deserve.

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
PGP Contributor
Sarah Hollenbeck
Published 3 years ago
Last updated 10 months ago
96
2
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About Health

Physical Play Opportunities 
Jan 01, 2002
Health

Combating Childhood Obesity

Playground Magazine
7 Sleep Tips for New Parents
Oct 06, 2020
Health

7 Sleep Tips for New Parents

Richard Morse
Tips For Managing Your Child’s Asthma When Playing Outside
May 11, 2020
Health

Tips For Managing Your Child's Asthma When Playing Outside

Jackie Edwards
family play day at the playground
Jan 13, 2014
Health

New Year's Resolutions - the more the merrier

Anne-Marie-Spencer
Surviving Allergy Season
May 12, 2022
Health

Surviving Allergy Season

Cora Gold
Movement and Physical Education Benefits Academic Success
Mar 30, 2015
Health

Movement and Learning: What's the Connection?

PGP
Child protected from the sun
Mar 05, 2019
Health

Sunlight and your Skin in the Schoolyard

Peter Prakke
Swings on a playground
May 29, 2018
Health

Hygiene Practices for the Playground

Kacey Mya
An Interview with Pam Powers of Let's Move! Active Schools
Sep 30, 2014
Health

An Interview with Pam Powers of Let's Move! Active Schools

Playground Magazine
Keep Children Safe on the Internet
Dec 06, 2019
Health

3 Effective Steps to Keep Children Safe on the Internet

Emily Andrews
5 Ways To Encourage Your Kids To Be More Active
Jul 06, 2021
Health

5 Ways To Encourage Your Kids To Be More Active

Martha Wheeler
Sunscreen
Jun 25, 2019
Health

Sunscreen Benefits: 5 Reasons Your Child Should Always Wear It

Kacey Mya

Health Professionals

Let's Play America
Let's Play America
Organization
More
Walk with a Doc
Walk with a Doc
Organization
More
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2023 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions