Summer is finally here and, for many, this means that children are out of school for the next few months. While it is important for your children to have a fun and relaxing break, it is equally as important to ensure your children remain safe. Unfortunately, accidents can happen at any time if proper safety precautions are not taken. To help protect your minor children this summer, let us share with you a few safety tips you may wish to consider.

First, it is important to know the types of activities your child is going to engage in this summer. Many typical summer activities take place in the hot sun, so it is crucial to ensure your child is protected from the heat. Wearing sunscreen, a cap, or covering up when necessary are all simple steps you can encourage your child to take to protect his or her skin. The warmer weather can also cause dehydration if your child is not regularly drinking water, so we encourage you to make sure he or she has a water bottle with him or her during all summer activities.

Second, water-related activities tend to be popular during the summer months. Unfortunately, did you know that drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children between the ages of one and four? Your children should always be supervised when in or around bodies of water. Further, it is important to evaluate how strong of a swimmer your child is. If your child is not a particularly strong swimmer, you may want to consider enrolling him or her in swimming lessons and ensuring he or she wears floaties while in the water.

Finally, do not be afraid to ask the staff at any summer camps your child may be attending to share the qualifications and safety licenses that the camp or its staff possesses. Entrusting the care of your child to another should not be taken lightly. Ensuring that the summer camp is complying with safety regulations and is a safe place for your child to spend his or her summer is important.

These are just a few tips to protect your minor children this summer. If this article raises more questions than it answers for you, do not wait to learn more on our website or contact us to schedule a meeting with attorney Alan Hougum.