By: Christine Crosby
“Then followed that beautiful season… Summer….
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Summer is the time to get out and enjoy lots of family fun, but be sure you practice summer safety. After being trapped with indooractivities formonths, there’s a burst of activities everywhere; swimming in the lakes, rivers, oceans and pools, boating, fishing, picnicking and so much more.
When I was growing up inMiami, they had not yet invented sun block so needless to say, I not only browned up; I burned up. Today, children like my grandkids know the rule to put on “tickle cream” (our code word forsun screen) before they go out in the intense sun. We adults must do the same, of course. Then, it’s off to jump in the water to play and cool down.
Speaking of water, it’s also a time to be extra mindful of water safety especially forchildren. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths among children. Children ages one to four years of age have the highest drowning rates.
- There should always be a responsible adult supervising children when they are in the water; not reading a book, on their cell phonesorplaying cards, but actually watching them. Many of these drowning accidents take place in the homes that don’t have safety fences around their poolsoralarms on doors to prevent toddlers from entering the pool area.
- Use the buddy system and don’t swim alone.
Summer brings the opportunity forfamilies and children to spread their wings and explore the great outdoors and create lasting memories. Just being together; hiking along a scenic trailorin your own neighborhood can provide bonding and wonderful learning experiences.
