Keeping Your Child Safe This Summer

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, May 10, 2013 (Press-News.org) Summer is traditionally a time for families to create traditions. From backyard barbeques and swimming pools to playground visits and summer camps, summer is a great time to keep kids active while bonding together as a family. With so much extra activity, however, also comes an increased risk of injury. The National Safe Kids Campaign estimates that 40% of all injury-related emergency room visits and 42% of all injury-related deaths happen during the summer months. By taking some simple precautions, you can reduce the risk of injury while still enjoying all of the seasonal fun.

Playground Safety

More than 205,000 children are taken to the emergency room every year due to playground injuries. The first thing you can do to improve your child's safety happens before even leaving the house: make sure shoes are closed-toe, either Velcro or with the laces tied well and tucked into the sides; remove any strings from a hooded sweatshirt or drawstring pants which could get caught; and avoid dressing your child in loose-fitting clothing.

Upon arrival, take a few moments to check the playground equipment before your child uses it, as equipment may deteriorate or become damaged between visits. Check to see that the ground is not covered in cement, grass, asphalt or other hard surface; instead, look for rubber mats, mulch, or wood chips. Next, check the temperature of the equipment (especially metal equipment) with your hand as it might get so hot as to cause serious burns. Lastly, walk around the equipment and look for any loose ropes or floor boards. The best way to avoid an injury from monkey bars is to only allow your child to use them if there is a cushioned surface underneath. While these precautions may seem tedious, they really only take a few minutes--and can greatly reduce your child's risk of injury.

Backyard Safety

Remember to keep children away from barbeque grills until they are completely cooled. Routinely check the areas where your child plays for hazards such as stumps, animal feces, garbage, and discarded lawn or garden equipment. Additionally, installing a sturdy fence around the perimeter of your yard prevents children from wandering off and keeps stray animals out.

Swimming Pool Safety

Regardless of the age or swimming capability of your children, they should never be left in or around a pool unsupervised. Practicing a "walk slowly at all times" rule around the pool area, regardless of how far one is to the edge, can greatly reduce slip-and-fall accidents, drowning and near-drowning accidents. For home swimming pools, you might also look into installing an alarm which sounds when the water becomes agitated for any reason.

As Fred Rogers famously said, "play is really the work of childhood." Risks--good and bad--are inevitable, and it's simply not possible to insulate our families from all harm. By taking these simple steps you can minimize some risk while allowing your children to acquire confidence, learn their limits, and develop their sense of adventure.

Conlin Law Firm is in the business of overcoming. Our goal is to help clients overcome their injuries, to the greatest extent possible. Our offices are conveniently located off Hwy 169. To contact one of our personal injury attorneys please call 952-252-0490 or visit our website at www.conlinlawfirm.com