Summer Safety Tips for Kids in Fargo Moorhead | O'Keeffe O'Brien Lyson Attorneys

Summer Safety Tips for Kids in Fargo Moorhead

Although it seemed as though it would never come, summer is here and in full swing. Kids are out of school for the summer, and we want to make sure you know how to keep them safe this season.

This is the first article in our summer safety series, so keep reading to learn some important tips that will help keep your kids safe throughout the summer.

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Home Sweet Home

If you have decided to allow your children to stay home alone this summer, make sure to follow these guidelines:

  • Post an emergency phone list where children can see it. Include numbers like 9-1-1, your work and cell phone number, the neighbor’s number, and any others you feel they need.
  • Practice an emergency plan. Whether you practice for a fire, injury, tornado warning, or anything else, it’s important for your child to know what to do if/when the time comes. Make sure they know where flashlights are, and that they know how to use them.
  • Remove or safely store in locked areas dangerous or hazardous items like guns, knives, detergents, pesticides, medicines, and more.
  • Limit any cooking your child does, and make sure you have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of the house.

It’s also important to tell your kids to do the following when you are not home:

  • Lock the doors. If you have an electronic security system, make sure your children know how to use it.
  • Never open the door to strangers, delivery people or sales reps. Tell your children to ask the people to leave packages at the door.
  • Never tell someone on the phone that parents aren’t home. Instead, say something like “He or she is busy right now. Can I take a message?”
  • Kids should not mention being home alone on Facebook, Twitter or other any other social media sites.
  • Never leave the house without permission.
  • If your child smells smoke or hears the smoke alarm, make sure they know to get out of the house and ask the neighbor to call the fire department.

Watch Your Head

While millions of Americans ride bikes, less than half wear helmets. Does your child wear one? If not, the consequences could be traumatic. Annually, over 25,000 bicycle-related injuries to children and adolescents are traumatic brain injuries – all due to not wearing a helmet. Your kids should follow these guidelines:

  • Always wear a helmet when you’re on any type of wheels (this means bikes, scooters, skates, rollerblades, skateboards, and more).
  • Make sure your helmet fits properly.
  • Be sure the right type of helmet is being used (ex: a bike helmet should be used for biking).
  • Mom and dad should always wear a helmet, too!

Don’t wait until it’s too late to avoid personal injury. Helmets can be life-saving and protect from serious injuries.

Keep an Eye on the Road

While it’s important for drivers to watch out for kids on the roads, your children should also know and follow some of these important tips:

  • Walk – don’t run – across the street.
  • Only cross the street with an adult or an older, responsible child.
  • When you cross the street, make eye contact with drivers so they are sure to see you.
  • Don’t run out from behind parked cars.
  • Whenever possible, use the sidewalk.
  • Always hold your parent’s hand near any moving or parked vehicles.

These tips are crucial to your child’s safety on the road this summer, but don’t forget that they look up to you – so make sure to set a good example. If you have any questions about personal injury, we have excellent attorneys who are ready and willing to answer them for you. Reach out to us any time.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the next article in our summer safety series!

Image courtesy of swambo/Flickr.