Safe Kids Worldwide

Summer is around the corner. It's an exciting season for families, and often includes outdoor activities, vacations, and time away from school. But it’s also a time known as “summer trauma season” among health professionals because unintentional injuries and deaths increase dramatically among children. Here at Safe Kids, we want to make sure parents and caregivers are aware of potential hazards and provide them with tips that they can use to reduce injury risks. With the right tools, parents and caregivers can feel confident no matter the season.

Did you know that kids are at a higher risk for dehydration and heat illness compared to adults? It's easy for kids to forget to stop and drink water when they're having a great time playing outside on a hot and humid day. Be sure your kids drink water every 15-20 minutes during play!

To many of us, Memorial Day is the official start of summer fun. To many health professionals, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is often referred to as the “100 deadliest days of summer." Trauma Season is when the number of unintentional injuries among children tend to rise. Each year, 41% of fatal unintentional injuries among children occur during Trauma Season. As you look forward to swimming, boating, and barbecue, keep these safety tips in mind: https://www.safekids.org/blog/let-summer-fun-begin

Did you pack sunscreen, towels, your child's favorite toy? There's a lot on your mind when you're packing for a trip. Whether its a summer road trip to the Grand Canyon or a weekend trip to the beach, remember these travel safety tips to make sure your whole family arrives safely:

⚪ Buckling up on every ride is the single most important thing a family can do to stay safe in the car.
⚪ 71% of car seats are not used or installed correctly, so before you hit the road, check your car seat.
⚪ Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute.

Safe Kids recognizes Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage this month and the many families, cultures, and contributions it celebrates.

Having a cookout to celebrate Memorial Day? Before you can relax with family and friends, get prepped and ready to grill safely. Keep your family happy and safe by establishing a 3-foot "kid-free zone" before firing up the grill. Remember to never leave your grill unattended while cooking.

Did you know that more older children and teens drown in open water than in pools? A day at the beach or the lake is fun for kids, but open water also has risks, which are different from those in a swimming pool. According to the United States Coast Guard, 87% of people who drown while boating were not wearing a life jacket. Be aware of situations that are unique to open water, such as limited visibility, depth, uneven surfaces, currents, and undertow.



Learn how kids can stay safe in open water: https://www.safekids.org/blog/keeping-kids-safe-open-water

This year, 5 children have died in hot cars nationwide, with 3 incidents reported in the past two days, a tragic reminder that we can all take steps to help prevent hot car deaths. It only takes a few minutes for a car to heat up and become deadly to a child inside. As summer temperatures rise, more kids are at risk. It's never OK to leave a child alone in a car, not even for a minute, and not even with the window cracked or the car running. To learn more about protecting kids from hot cars: https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/hot-cars

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This Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Month, we’re celebrating the dedicated individuals who work every day to protect our most precious passengers. With 4 out of 5 car seats installed incorrectly, their work is more vital than ever. When used correctly, child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by up to 71%.

CPSTs are true heroes in their communities, educating caregivers, conducting car seat checks, and helping prevent unintentional injuries in and around vehicles. To all the CPSTs: thank you for your commitment, your compassion, and the time you invest in keeping kids safe. 💛

Want to become a technician? Visit https://cert.safekids.org/ to learn more.

The simplest way to protect you child on the water? A life jacket. It's , and wearing a U.S Coast Guard-approved life jacket is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injury or drowning

Before you set sail, make sure your young co-captains are prepared with our Open Water Safety Checklist. With these essential tips, you can take simple steps to help keep your kids safe when swimming in lakes, rivers, oceans, and other open water.

Find our checklist here: https://www.safekids.org/checklist/open-water-safety-checklist