Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-summertime… At last! The warm weather and free days have arrived—let the fun begin! There are so many things to do during the summer, and most of it is nothing but pure entertainment. However, we have to make sure everything we do is carried out with the utmost safety for our family in mind.
Even the smallest things can make a big difference in how our day, event or outing will go. From everything about picnic foods to the temperature ouside, extra care needs to be given to how we prepare ourselves for the plans we have.
First let’s start with the food. Food is a huge part of our lives and most summer activities revolve around it in some way. When planning a picnic, you should make sure you have food that will not spoil easily, or plan to have lots of coolers with plenty of ice to keep anything perishable fresh. Some of the best sites I found with information on how to do just this are: Tips, Tools & Travel-Safe Foods for Summer Food Safety, KeepKidsSafe.com - Summer Food Safety and Picnic and Cookout Food Safety Tips. They have many pointers, ideas and examples for how to keep your summer eats safe.
Water is a big part of summer fun. Everything from playing in the sprinkler at your house to water parks to going to your local river or lake. There are so many ways to have fun with water, but you really need to make sure everyone along for the fun is aware of the risks and rules for the location involved. The best tips we could find were at these great sites: American Red Cross - Water Safety, KeepKidsHealthy.com - Water Safety and SaferChild.org - Water Sports & Boating Safety.
Summer wouldn’t be summer with out the sun. Unfortunately that also means extreme heat in some parts of the country. High temperatures mean you must be sure to drink extra fluids and protect yourself from becoming overheated. Small children and the elderly are especially at risk, so it is essential to keep a close eye on anyone in your life who might need extra attention during the summer. NEVER leave your child or pet in the car during the summer—even just for a minute. It takes no time for their little bodies to heat up and cause real damage. For some additional tips and ideas on how to keep your family and loved ones safe during the summer heat, check out these sites: DrGreene.com - Summer Is Heating Up, Ottawa Humane Society - Summer Safety for Pets, KidsGrowth.com - Heat Safety in Cars and Summertime Tips For Seniors To Stay Cool And Well. Staying cool during the summer is not just for comfort, it is also important for your health!
With the warmer temperatures comes storm season in certain parts of the country. A thunderstorm can sweep in quickly causing damage and catching many people off-guard while they are outdoors having fun. Be sure to watch the weather reports whenever you plan to be outside, so you will be prepared if a storm is heading your direction. If you’d like to learn more about how to protect yourself during summer storms, please check out these websites: American Red Cross - Severe Thunderstorm Safety and Thunderstorms and Camping Safety. Don’t get caught out in the eye of a storm during your day of fun!
One last link we want to share with you is A Primer on Summer Safety from the FDA. It was the most comprehensive site found. Please bookmark it and any of the others listed in this article, so you will always be able to find them when you plan your activities.
The priority for summer is fun! But let us not forget the importance of safety while we are out and about enjoying the beautiful weather. We hope you all have a fun and safety filled summer season!
Julie is a wife and mom living outside Chicago with her husband and two sons. She looks forward to all the safe fun she can squeeze into her summer days this year!
