With many students on break from school during summer months, there can be a higher chance of injuries at home. This is especially true if parents and caregivers are distracted with work and other responsibilities. The good news is that most of these injuries can be prevented with appropriate preparation, resources, and basic child safety guidelines.

Home Safety Basics

We’ve all been home more than usual during the last year and a half. Being home alone is part of growing up, and summer is time to remind students of these general home safety tips.
  1. Check in with family members or neighbors when you arrive home.
  2. Tell a family member or neighbor when you are leaving home so they know where you are.
  3. If you are home alone, only open the door for people you know and trust.

Fire Safety

Home fires can start and spread quickly, often leaving families with only two minutes to evacuate once an alarm sounds. A little bit of planning can make a big difference. Here are five steps families can take to be prepared.
  1. Work as a family to draw a fire escape plan that shows two ways out of every room. Check exit paths to make sure they are clear of clutter and furniture.
  2. In your plan, label doors, windows, and smoke alarms. Adults should test smoke alarms every month to make sure they are working. Know what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if you hear an alarm.
  3. Choose a meeting place for your family that is a safe distance away from your home.
  4. Use your fire escape plan to practice a home fire drill with your family. Practice during the day and at night.
  5. Make it a goal for everyone to exit the home in less than 2 minutes.

Cooking Safety

During summer months, your family may grill outdoors more, or kids may cook meals for themselves when they aren’t in school. These five tips can help kids stay safe while cooking at home.
  1. Wear fitted clothing while clothing. Loose clothing and long, open sleeves can get caught on pots and pans or catch fire more easily.
  2. Remember to stay in the kitchen the entire time you are cooking
  3. If you are using the stove, use the back burner, and make sure the pot and pan handle is away from the edge of the stove. Keep cooking utensils, food containers, and packages away from the stove.
  4. Use oven mitts or potholders to car hot dishes, pots, and pans. Move hot foods and liquids away from edges of counters and tables.
  5. Dishes that have been in the microwave can be hot, and the steam from hot foods and liquids can cause painful burns to your skin. Plus, ensure that the containers that you are using in the microwave are microwave safe and free of metals.

Water Safety

Summer for many families means more time in the water – whether that’s in community or backyard swimming pools, water parks, lakes, oceans, or rivers. Swimming in open water can present different hazards than swimming in pools. These can include limited visibility, uneven surfaces, currents, and undertows. These five water safety rules for kids are important survival skills in this situation.
  1. Step or jump into water over your head and return to the surface.
  2. Turn around in the water and orient to safety.
  3. Float or tread water.
  4. Combine breathing with forward movement in the water.
  5. Exit the water – take a break to avoid getting too tired.

Swimming pools, while free of rocks or currents, carry some unique risks as well. Consider a different set of pool safety rules to keep kids safe.

  1. Never use the pool alone.
  2. Learn to swim, which can be a lifesaving skill.
  3. Don’t swim or play near the pool drain
  4. Never climb a fence or gate around a pool – it’s there for a reason.
  5. Take a CPR course when you’re ready!