When the weather heats up, so do the fun times and activity levels. The summer season is officially in gear and so are school vacations. This means pool parties, barbecues, camping, road trips, beach days and so much more warm weather amusement. For many kids, when that last school bell rings until fall, it’s their favorite time of year. School work is put on hold and the carefree fun of summer is in full swing. Kids will head outdoors to pools, beaches, lakes and skate parks, or go hiking or biking with families and friends. It’s a perfect time to celebrate by reviewing some important tips on summer safety and how to protect children from common injuries that happen this time of year. Remember, summertime means children are outside playing, and as a result, are getting injured more often.
In 2012, some 13,804 children ages 1-17 died nationwide, 6,941 from unintentional injury, homicide or suicide. Many in of these deaths occurred in summer, according to The National Center for the Review and Prevention of Child Deaths (NCRPCD).
The reality is that the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the deadliest of the year for children and youths. Drownings, vehicle and pedestrian accidents, falls while hiking, bike crashes and other warm-weather calamities that result in serious injuries and deaths rise during this time. It’s a dark side of summer that emergency rooms, doctors, first responders, search and rescue teams and parents need to be prepared for.
According to a 2013 report from The Journal of Pediatrics, injuries that parents can prevent, are the leading cause of death in children. More than 30 children die every day in the United States. And those who don’t die from their injuries still account for 9.2 million medical visits by children every year. Whoa. These are staggering statistics.
If you have or know a child that has been a victim of an injury, please contact the skilled personal injury attorneys and staff at Schulze Law. We are equipped to handle the individuality of each and every personal injury case we represent and offer compassionate, clear counseling and assistance. We are there for victims and their families when they need support the most. Accidents and injuries suffered during the summer (and any time of year) can be serious and complex. Our team can help you and your children.
If you are planning any summer activities or excursions, we encourage you to have fun and be safe. By staying alert and aware of common injuries and accidents, you and the children in your life can avoid spending precious summer moments in the hospital or doctors office. Safety comes first and please practices care and caution. Parents need to stay vigilant and prepared because they often have the tools to keep their children safe.
Here are some common summer injury risks for kids:
- Drowning
Summer is synonymous with water activities and sports. Beaches, pools (don’t forget kiddie pools!), rivers, reservoirs, and lakes are all frequent summertime spots and hangouts. Water is always potentially dangerous and kids need constant supervision. A combination of knowing how to swim, using life jackets and being under a watchful eye will help minimize the risk of children drowning. Remember, drowning doesn’t always look like what you’d expect, either. It is often silent and the person may look like he/she is simply bobbing in the water.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2005-2014, there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States — about ten deaths per day. An additional 332 people died each year from drowning in boating-related incidents. About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
Check out our blog on Tips to Avoid Boating Accidents and Injuries here.
Drowning is a very real, present, and terrible danger. Sadly, it is often very preventable. Believe it or not, the minimum depth of water that a child or infant can drown in is only 2 inches.
Please do not let absent-mindedness, negligence or failure to use safety measures and procedures claim another life.
- Car Accidents
Car rides and road tripping are very common in the summer. More people on the roads is equal to more accidents and injuries. Just think of the traffic and backups getting on and off Cape Cod or the parking lot otherwise known as 93!
Motor vehicle crashes are the most deadly incident for teens and children. The all-ages death toll is nearly twice as high in summer, which has prompted a national “100 Deadly Days” campaign. According to AAA, the span between Memorial Day and Labor Day poses the greatest risk to children and teens. In the United States, 2,333 teens ages 16-19 were killed and more than 221,313 were treated for injuries from crashes in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 1,600 children younger than 15 died in vehicle crashes.
Some of the biggest factors involved in vehicle fatalities are not using seat belts; drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs; aggressive driving; motorcycles; pedestrians; and drowsy driving and distracted driving.
Kids themselves can be very distracting. “Are we there yet?”…. But, the driver has the responsibly to stay safe and focused in order to minimize the chance of accident or injury. The biggest precautions are seat belts. They save lives and prevent injuries in crashes. Make sure everyone is properly restrained in the vehicle and in the suitable car seats or booster seats or seat belts. Child safety seats cut fatal injuries by 71 percent for the littlest passengers, under age 1, and by 54 percent for those to age 4. Booster seats protect children ages 4-8, but the National Transportation and Safety Administration says just six percent of children in the age group and 40-80 pounds weight class use one.
Don’t let a fun, family road trip become deadly.
- Bikes, Scooters, Skateboards or Skate Accidents
According to The Safe Kids Organization, nationwide, every hour, about 50 children visit emergency departments for injuries resulting from bikes, scooters, skateboards or skates. They include serious head injuries and lots of fractures. Four in 10 kids, ages 5-14, don’t wear helmets each time participate in these types of activities or sports. About one-third of bicyclists in a crash wore a helmet. The organization says 98 kids died riding bicycles in 2014, but nearly a quarter million needed emergency department care. More than 26,000 were treated for related traumatic brain injuries. Meanwhile, 84,000-plus children were injured skateboarding and another 59,300 were hurt skating.
Helmets and safety gear is an absolute must whilst biking, scooting or skating. Wearing a helmet and protective gear should be an automatic habit and parents should teach kids safety skills in order to potentially save lives. This article from Johns Hopkins Medicine is highly informative and a good read regarding statistics and safety.
- Burns and Heat
Campfires and s’mores. The 4th of July and fireworks. Weekends and barbecues. Beaches and sun tanning. These all go hand in hand with summertime. But flames and heat (of any type) are not always kid friendly. According to a 2013 report from The Journal of Pediatrics, fire-related injuries are responsible for 9.1 percent of unintentional deaths among kids worldwide. Burns from campfires, fireworks, sparklers and barbecues can be dangerous and deadly.
Other heat related risks include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, sunburn and being left in a hot car. The CDC’s review of l,636 child-vehicle deaths over 14 years found 53 percent were “forgotten” by a caregiver, 29 percent were children playing in a vehicle and 17 percent were left there intentionally by an adult. A SafeKids.org survey found nearly one-fourth of parents with a child younger than 3 has forgotten the child in a car.
Tips from The American Red Cross include hydrating during hot-day activities to combat heatstroke and exhaustion. Don’t overeat, which revs metabolism. Dress appropriately in clothing that breathes, use the right degree of sunscreen and reapply it often.
Other precautions include having water around so a fire can be put out immediately. Use glow sticks in exchange for sparklers. Don’t let kids play around barbecues or campfires, where a loss of footing or balance could equal a disaster. Leave something else like a purse or shoe next to your child or infant so you remember not to leave the vehicle without them.
In general, be cautious, aware, thoughtful, observant and safe. Burns can be life changing, if not deadly.
- Insect Bites
Once the weather heats up, the insect population rises along with it. Mosquitoes, ticks and bees are some of the bugs to look out for and protect your children against.
Avoid mosquitoes: The CDC reports there were more than 700 cases of West Nile virus in the U.S. in 2011, resulting in 43 deaths. According to the CDC, symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, and in some cases, skin rash and swollen lymph glands.
Avoid ticks: The CDC describes the symptoms of Lyme disease as fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans, which forms in the shape of a bull’s eye. According to the CDC, Lyme disease can also affect joints, the heart and the nervous system if left untreated.
Avoid bees and hornets: Stinging insects send more than half a million people to the emergency room every year. Young children, the elderly and especially those with allergies are most at risk.
Use protective bug sprays and repeat when necessary. Check for allergic reactions. Be aware of serious insect and bug borne illnesses.
All that said…summer is a blast! Warm, sunny afternoons by the pool, campfires and cookouts with family and friends, a family road trip and boat rides at the beach. Ahhh, the sacred rituals and joys of childhood summer. There are so many ways to savor the season, but it can also become a very dangerous time of year when things are not done safely and correctly or the proper precautions are in place. Scrapes, bruises, cuts, burns, and other injuries can be dangerous and harmful. If your child has been injured in an accident, discuss your situation with the experienced team at Schulze Law. We understand the intricacies of personal injury law, and we have the experience, expertise and resources to help our clients.
Happy Summer! Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy this special time with your kids and loved ones!
CALL NOW: 857-300-5300 Emergency After Hours Number: 800-894-9267 XLAW1 (5291)
Resources:
https://www.safekids.org/
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/
https://www.care.com/
