It is almost that time of year when you and your kids can begin to enjoy the warm Tennessee summer! Outdoor fun at local pools, lakes and waterparks, afternoon cookouts…these make great lifelong memories. But these activities also have risks.
You can take every precaution to be as safe as possible, but accidents can still occur. However, that shouldn’t stop a parent from trying. Below are some summer safety tips to help make sure summer is as fun and injury-free as possible.
Water Safety
According to the CDC, drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Here’s how to make sure this statistic doesn’t apply to you:
- Always make sure an adult is watching your children while they are in the water.
- Give your children swimming lessons.
- Little ones should always wear a life vest.
- Make certain your kids understand not to dive in shallow water.
- Adults should avoid mixing alcohol and water sports, especially with children onboard.
Heat Injuries
Dehydration and heat stroke is a silent killer, but deadly none the same. Here’s how to stay cool and safe in the sun:
- Drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration.
- Wear proper clothing suitable for the weather.
- NEVER leave your child in a hot car.
Playground Injuries
Every year the United States treats 200,000 children ages 14 and under for playground-related injuries. Avoid this danger by making sure to:
- Supervise your child on the playground at all times.
- Instruct your child on playground safety.
- Become knowledgeable about the symptoms and causes of head injuries resulting from playground injuries.
Summer Camps and Waterparks
- Before sending your child to a summer camp, make certain it is a reputable place and that they have certified safety experts on staff.
- Check the injury reports of the camp or waterpark. Poorly supervised summer camps can lead to foodborne illnesses, swimming injuries due to lack of supervision, negligence due to inadequate staffing, etc.
- At a waterpark, take notice of how old the equipment is and if there are an adequate number of lifeguards present at all times.
Cookouts
- Make certain all food is cooked properly and thoroughly.
- Always supervise children near a hot grill or stove.
- Make sure children don’t venture too near a fire ring.
There are times that no matter what you do an accident occurs. If the resulting injury is serious and was due in part to negligence by a third party, then you may consider pursuing legal action to compensate your family for loss or damages.
In the event you would like to file a personal injury claim, first talk to the personal injury attorneys at Gilreath & Associates for expert legal advice. Our offices are conveniently located in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis, and we serve Tennessee families in all manner of civil cases – from car crashes to boating accidents to defective products and medical malpractice. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Have a fun and safe summer!
