How to Keep Your Kids Safe This Summer

Protect your children from potential summer hazards.

Common Risk Areas

While summer is a time for fun and relaxation, it is -- without a doubt -- the most dangerous time of year for kids. "Kids are out of school, so they're not in the safe haven of their classroom," says Angela Mickalide, Ph.D, program director of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. "They're out and moving, and they want to go across the street to their friend's house, ride their bikes to the playground, or go to the community pool. They're exposed to more risks because of their mobility."

A National SAFE KIDS Campaign study found that nearly half of all injury-related childhood deaths occur May through August, with July being the deadliest month. This summer, children will be rushed to emergency departments nearly 3 million times for serious injuries, and an estimated 2,550 children will lose their lives due to an unintentional injury.

We talked with Dr. Mickalide about what parents can do to keep kids safe.

rd.com: What are some of the risk areas?

Dr. Mickalide: Drowning is the greatest summertime risk. Two-thirds of all childhood drownings happen May through August. When it comes to bicycling, half of all deaths occur during that same time period. Forty-nine percent of falls from playground equipment and out of windows happen during the summer months. Kids are also out walking more, which means they're more exposed to traffic. About 40% of pedestrian deaths and 40% of motor vehicle deaths occur May through August.

rd.com: What should parents tell kids as they head out to ride their bikes?

Dr. Mickalide: First, that they should wear helmets -- and they need to wear them correctly. The helmet should be low on the head, not rocking back and forth or side to side. It should have a safety standards sticker on it from the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials). Kids under the age of 10 should not be riding on the street. Older kids should ride in areas that are safe and designated for bicyclists, like bike lanes. Finally, kids should learn the rules of the road and obey all traffic rules.

rd.com: What if a child doesn't want to wear a bike helmet or other safety gear?

Dr. Mickalide: Parents can say, "If I catch you not wearing it, then you can't ride your bike." The other approach is to explain to them the importance of wearing a bike helmet -- that most bicycle injuries involve the head and that the helmet is a very effective tool in preventing injuries to the head and the brain.

Parents can also be role models for their kids. We know that parents who buckle up in cars, for example, are more likely to have kids who buckle up. Parents can make it a family partnership by enlisting the tweeners [pre-adolescents] to wear their helmets so that younger siblings will wear theirs.

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