Summer safety
Common sense is the key for a safe summer
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| Children at the Zearing Child Enrichment Center take outdoor safety seriously by wearing helmets on a springtime scooter ride at the Princeton child care center. With summer months ahead, Princeton Police Tom Root has asked area motorists to be especially cautious of children playing outdoors or riding their bikes along area streets. (BCR photo/Donna Barker) |
PRINCETON — Summer time typically means more time for fun and outdoor activities, but it may also mean more chance of injuries from those summer activities, according to three local community leaders.
Princeton Deputy Fire Chief John Petrakis said the Princeton Ambulance Department definitely gets more calls in the summer to respond to injuries received from a variety of summer activities, whether it’s at playgrounds, swimming pools or just in someone’s yard.
If a child does fall or get injured, the parent/babysitter should try to keep the child as calm as possible while assessing the extent of injury, Petrakis said. It’s more difficult to communicate with a child who is panicking.
In their assessment, parents should look for the obvious injuries, ask the child where he hurts, and note if the child is holding any certain part of the body, like the wrist or ankle. If there is a bleeding, the parent should look for a towel or piece of cloth that can be used as a compress.
Petrakis also recommended parents/babysitters always carry their cell phones with them when taking children outside to play. Also, parents/babysitters should have first aid kits in their cars and know how to use the items in those kits.
“Preparedness is the key,” Petrakis said. “We urge everyone to take a first aid class. It’s better for you, your family, your co-workers and community.”
Petrakis also urged drivers to be especially careful in the summer months because of all the outdoor activities involving children.
“When you see a ball coming out into the street, you can be pretty sure there’s a kid not too far behind,” Petrakis said.
Speaking on behalf of the Princeton Park District, executive director Elaine Russell said the park district takes summer safety very seriously. That safety starts with well-maintained equipment and parks, she said.
“Playground safety begins with the entry into the playground area itself,” Russell said. “Parking lots, paths and the immediate playground areas are routinely checked for potholes, debris and any other maintenance that may be required.”
Also, twice a year the staff checks and records each playground unit from top to bottom, testing swings, slides, screws and bolts, surfacing and all other maintenance requirements.
“Once spring allows for the public to use our parks more frequently, the staff checks each playground area daily,” Russell said. ”The checks include visuals of the equipment, clearing of debris, checking for potholes and general safety issues such as fallen branches and broken glass. Also, periodically the wood chips are rota-tiled to maintain the optimum surface for resiliency, and the area is mowed and trimmed as needed.”
From his perspective, Princeton Police Tom Root said summer safety is more likely to be met if adults and children use some common sense safety precautions.
Drivers need to be especially alert and cautious during the summers because of all the children playing outdoors, Root said.
“Remember slow driving is always better,” Root said. “We ask everyone to be very careful and to drive defensively.”
Bicyclists also need to follow some basic guidelines to protect themselves, the police chief said.
For instance, bicyclists are to travel with the flow of traffic, not against. Bicyclists are not to use sidewalks in business districts. The police department prefers bicyclists also not use sidewalks in the residential areas, Root said.
Also, bicyclists are to follow all traffic rules, including stop signs and yielding for pedestrians. Helmets are recommended. Bicycles should be checked to make sure they are in good operating condition and have reflectors, Root said. People should not ride double on bicycles.
As with bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades are not to be used on sidewalks, the police chief said.
Another concern for summer safety are those people going for walks at night, Root said.
Walkers should wear light-colored clothes, with some reflective material, and walk only in well-lighted areas. They should always carry cell phones with them and ideally walk with another person. For people listening to iPods, Root recommended people turn down the volume, so they are still aware of their surroundings.
With precautions in place, hopefully the summer will be safer for everyone, Root said.
Fun in the sun summer safety tips for children
Babies under 6 months:
• To prevent sunburn, avoid sun exposure and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn.
• When adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands.
• If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.
For young children:
• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside.
• Use sunscreen even on cloudy days.
• The SPF should be at least 15 and protect against UVA and UVB rays.
For older children:
• The first and best line of defense against the sun is covering up.
• Wear a hat with a 3-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible.
• Limit sun exposure during peak intensity hours, which are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen, about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.
Source: American Academy of Pediatricians.
Heat stress in exercising children
• The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
• At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
• Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced. For example, each 20 minutes, a child weighing 90 pounds should drink 5 ounces of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink. For a child or teen weighing 130 pounds, the person should drink 9 ounces of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to help with the evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.
• Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.
Source: American Academy of Pediatricians.
Bicycle safety
• Do not push your child to ride a two-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child’s coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes.
• Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one.
• Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to “grow into.” Over-sized bikes are especially dangerous.
• Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks and on bike paths, not just on streets.
• Children learn best by observing their parents. Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
• When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.
• A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction. If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.
Skateboard, scooter, in-line skating
and Heelys safety
• Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.
• All skateboarders and scooter riders should wear helmets and other protective gear. Wrist guards are particularly important.
• Communities should continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home.
• While in-line skating or wearing Heelys, be sure to wear appropriate protective equipment and only skate on designated paths or rinks, not on the street.
Source: American Academy of Pediatricians.
Playground safety
• The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (such as shredded rubber, sand, wood chips or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches. The protective surface should be installed at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.
• Equipment should be carefully maintained. Open “S” hooks or protruding bolt ends can be hazardous.
• Swing seats should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
• Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
• Never attach — or allow children to attach — ropes, jump ropes, leashes or similar items to play equipment. Children can strangle on these.
• Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children’s legs from getting burned.
• Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use home trampolines.
• Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
Source: American Academy of Pediatricians.
