Summertime is all about fun in the sun, but it’s essential to ensure your children stay safe. Whether they’re swimming at the neighbourhood pool, playing outside with friends, or taking a camping trip with family and friends, there are plenty of things to keep an eye on. Here are five great ways to keep your kids safe this summer.
Create a Buddy System
The buddy system is a simple and effective way to keep your children safe. If you have younger children, they mustn’t go anywhere alone or stay out late at night. The buddy system allows you to ensure they are not left alone while giving them the freedom they need.
Teach Them the Pool Rules
As a parent, you want your children to be safe in and around the water. The best way to do this is to teach them the pool rules. First, teach them how to swim. Second, teach them how to use a pool ladder safely and effectively. Finally, if you want them to have a little extra protection, you can give them a floaty to swim with, giving them that extra bit of support.
Sunscreen
As you’ve undoubtedly heard before, sunscreen is one of the most important ways to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. So even if you’re not planning to be outside all day, applying a thin layer of sunscreen every morning is still a good idea before heading out into the world.
Sunscreen should be applied liberally and evenly to all exposed areas, including ears, noses, and toes, at least 30 minutes before going outside. Then, reapply every two hours during peak sun hours (10 am-4 pm) or when swimming or sweating heavily. Water-resistant sunscreen is excellent for activities like swimming but shouldn’t be used as an excuse not to reapply regularly.
Choose Their Clothing Wisely
When you’re outside with the kids, ensure they wear light-coloured clothing and long sleeves. In addition, help them select hats, sunglasses, sunblock, and shoes that protect their feet from sharp objects such as rocks or glass.
If they participate in physical activity such as bicycle riding or skateboarding, ensure that they have the proper protective gear, such as knee pads, shin pads, or bicycle and skate helmets UK safety regulations and policies require.
If you are swimming at the beach or lake this summer, buy swimsuits that protect sensitive skin from harmful UV rays by covering more of their bodies and providing more excellent protection against burns than shorter swimsuits which can be worn when playing in pools.
Remember – We All Get Dehydrated
It’s not uncommon to get dehydrated during the summer, especially if you’re doing lots of outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and camping. So, if you’re feeling tired or sluggish, drink water to stay hydrated.
In fact, drinking enough water is the best way to prevent dehydration. If your body doesn’t have enough water and you don’t replenish what you lose through sweat and urine, your cells can’t function properly. That can lead to confusion or even passing out due to low blood pressure.
Conclusion
With these tips in mind, you can keep your kids safe this summer and let them have fun. Remember that safety comes first, and with some planning and preventive measures, you can ensure your kids will have the best time possible.
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle