Summer is one of the best times of the year for many families. Trips, sports, cookouts, and fun activities take the place of school routines, and many families get to spend more quality time together. Unfortunately, child injuries also tend to rise during the summer months, in part due to the many summer activities children participate in during this time of the year. Here are a few ways to keep your children safer this summer while you enjoy the outdoors together.

Prioritize sun protection.

A bad sunburn can ruin an otherwise fun trip. But sunburns aren’t just painful, they can also cause health issues down the road, such as skin cancer. Make sure your entire family is protected from sun by making sure everyone is wearing an SPF 35 or higher sunscreen. Reapply every few hours and every hour if you’re in the water.

Get educated about sports injuries.

Many children play team sports during the summer. Playing sports is good for children’s health and can be a fun social activity. However, many children are injured while playing sports as well, so its good to get educated about the most common types of injuries that your child may get while playing their sport of choice. This can help you take precautions and also get treatment right away if you notice signs of injuries. Some common sports injuries include concussions, sprains, and ACL tears.

Get the right gear.

Many summer injuries could be prevented by using the right safety equipment. Invest in good quality helmets, kneepads, etc. This will lessen your children’s chances of being hurt while participating in their favorite summer activities, such as sports, cycling, skating etc.

Be careful around water. 

Many people don’t know it, but drowning is one of the top causes of death among very young children in the United States, and drowning fatalities and injuries among children spike during the summer months. The main cause of this is children being unattended at pools. It only takes a few minutes for a child to drown, so it is imperative to make sure small children are monitored at all times.

Make Road Trips Safer.

Car accidents are another leading cause of fatalities and injuries among children in the United States. The good news is that many of these injuries and fatalities can be prevented by following safe driving practices. If you take any family road trips this summer, make sure you avoid distracted driving and drowsy driving. Follow the rules of the road and make sure never to drive while under the influence of any substance, even over-the-counter treatments. Lastly, make sure your younger children are secured in proper car seats for their ages and heights. Many injuries and fatalities could be prevented simply through proper car seat use.

Get a good insect spray.

Bug bites are normally just extremely annoying (think mosquito bites.) However, insects such as ticks can actually cause serious illness, so it is important to protect yourself and your little ones from insect bites as you enjoy the great outdoors. Invest in a good insect spray and avoid the major and minor irritations that come with bug bites.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion.

Heat exhaustion can be dangerous, as it can lead to heat strokes. However, heat exhaustion can be hard to spot in children, especially very young ones. Watch out for signs such as dizziness, sudden tiredness, nausea, etc. Prevent heat exhaustion by making sure your children stay well hydrated and take regular breaks from outdoor activities during very hot weather.

These are just a few ways that you can keep your children a little safer this summer. You don’t want to stress too much and forget to have fun, just follow these tips so you can enjoy fun activities with your children while also enjoying peace of mind.