Summer Safety

Summer is officially here, and Kay Barlow, MEBA’s Community and Parent Education Director, wants to make sure we enjoy a fun and safe one. Emphasizing that lifesavers come in all shapes and sizes, Barlow offers the following tips for keeping our children safe this summer.

• Sun Safety – make sure your child wears sunscreen whenever he or she is outside. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and one that provides UVA and UVB protection. Apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before heading outdoors and make sure to reapply every two hours. For more sun safety tips from the CDC, click here.
• Bicycle Safety – insist your child wears a helmet when riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard or roller skates.
• Water Safety – have your child participates in swim lessons. Do not depend on lifeguards when you and your child are at swimming facility. It is your responsibility to watch your child at all times.
• Food Safety – when enjoying picnics outside, make sure not leave food out for more than 10 minutes to prevent spoiling. Keep cooking areas clean and avoid cross contamination. Make sure grills and propane tanks are out of reach from your children.

One of the most important ways we can keep our children safe this summer is to spend time with them. Nonproductive downtime can sometimes lead to trouble, especially for teenagers. Make sure to fill that time with quality time spent with you or with a person or activity of which you approve.