Summer is filled with opportunities for outdoor fun, but it also brings seasonal safety risks that can catch families off guard. From hot cars and water activities to playgrounds, sports, and tick exposure, taking a few simple precautions can help prevent injuries and keep children safe while enjoying everything the season has to offer.
Robert Deutsch, MD, Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, shares some important tips to help families stay safe and healthy all summer long.
Vehicle Safety: A vehicle can heat up much faster than you think. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, making an unattended car a strict no-go.
- Never leave children alone: Do not leave a child unattended for any length of time.
- Shade won't help: Rolling down windows or parking in the shade does not stop dangerous heat buildup.
- Check the back seat: Make it a strict habit to check the entire vehicle before walking away.
- Lock up empty cars: Keep doors locked at home so neighborhood kids cannot climb inside to play.
- Secure your keys: Store car keys and fobs completely out of children's reach.
Water Safety: Drowning is silent and can happen in just inches of water.
- Active supervision: Stay off your phone and never take your eyes off children near water, even if they know how to swim.
- Wear bright colored swimsuits instead of blue and green: Bright, neon, or highly contrasting colors make it easier to spot a child in the water, especially through water distortion and sunlight glare.
- Spot the flags: At the beach, read the warning flags to identify and avoid dangerous rip currents.
- Find a lifeguard: Only swim in designated areas where a lifeguard is actively on duty.
- Skip the alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol while supervising children.
Playground Safety: Most playground injuries are caused by falls or mishaps, leading to nasty scrapes, bruises, and fractures.
- Check the equipment: Metal playground equipment absorbs and transfers heat rapidly, posing a severe risk of contact and friction burns on sunny or warm days. Always perform a “palm test.” If the metal is too hot to comfortably hold your hand against it for 5 seconds, it is unsafe for a child’s delicate skin.
- Check the ground: Only use playgrounds built on mulch, wood chips, or rubber. Avoid concrete or hard-packed dirt.
- Stop the horseplay: Limit aggressive running, pushing, or roughhousing on the equipment.
- Keep swings safe: Teach kids not to push each other higher than what feels comfortable.
Heat Illnesses: When the body cannot cool its own core temperature, heat exhaustion can quickly escalate into a life-threatening medical emergency.
- Know the warning signs: Watch out for heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and intense thirst.
- Spot the emergency: If a child becomes confused or loses consciousness, call 911 immediately for heatstroke.
- Hydrate correctly: Drink plenty of water and electrolyte fluids. Limit sugary sodas and juices.
- Avoid peak hours: Stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, typically early to mid-afternoon.
Sports & Wheeled Activities: Whether your family is biking, skateboarding, or jumping on a trampoline, proper gear dramatically reduces your trip to the emergency room.
- Protect the brain: A properly fitted helmet reduces the risk of head injuries.
- Pad up: Wear elbow and knee pads for skating, skateboarding, and riding scooters.
- Warm up first: Always stretch before playing sports to avoid strains, sprains, and twisted ankles.
- Ride carefully: Avoid aggressive speeds and dangerous maneuvers on bikes or personal watercraft.
- E-Bikes and motorized scooters: New Jersey’s e-bike and motorized scooter laws emphasize strict age, licensing, and insurance requirements. Riders must adhere to specific traffic, helmet, and vehicle registration mandates to stay safe and legal.
- Trampoline rules: Use a safety net and never allow overcrowding.
Tick Bites: Deer ticks are highly active in late spring and early summer. They can transmit Lyme disease (causing chronic fatigue and joint pain) or babesiosis (a flu-like bloodstream infection).
- Cover your skin: Wear moisture-wicking long sleeves, long pants, and tall socks when heading outside.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents: Always follow product instructions. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective.
- Know the terrain: Ticks do not just live in the woods; they are frequently found in everyday backyards.
- Do a tick check: You rarely feel a tick bite. Always inspect your skin as soon as you come indoors.
A safe summer starts with awareness. By practicing smart safety habits and supervising children closely, families can spend less time worrying and more time making memories together all season long.
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Learn about Emergency Medicine at RWJBarnabas Health.