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Encouraging Heroes. You can be one too.

The kids are looking forward to summer vacation, and parents are worrying about keeping their little ones safe. It’s important to remember that the summer weather does come with some unique threats, but it’s easy to prepare for them ahead of time. Follow these five tips to ensure that your kids stay safe even while they’re out enjoying the great weather.

It’s the Little Things

They say it’s the little things that matter, and that’s certainly true when it comes to pesky bugs. The tiny mosquito can leave a miserable little bite behind, and ticks may carry dangerous diseases. Protect your family by consulting professionals such as Green Mango Pest Control or other companies about spraying the yard for pests. If you’re going out for a hike that will go through tall grass, insist that your kids wear long pants to protect their legs from hitchhiking ticks.

What You Don’t See Can Hurt You

The sun’s rays are invisible, yet they can leave a nasty burn. Get your kids used to wearing sunscreen when they’re young. You can also invest in special swim shirts that will cover that delicate skin on shoulders and backs to provide an extra layer of protection.

Play Ball!

When the kids are out front playing ball, make sure they know the rules for retrieving stray balls from the street. Monitor them occasionally to make sure that they’re following those rules. Encourage them to come get you and have you assist them if a ball does go across the road so that you won’t have to worry about them being hit by a car.

Going for a Swim?

You can drown in a few inches of water, and even experienced swimmers can have accidents in the water. Always monitor the kids while they’re in the pool, and use the buddy system. If you’re going out on the boat or have a child who hasn’t learned basic swimming and water treading yet, then invest in a quality life vest. The vest should have a strap that goes between the legs to prevent the vest from riding up and coming off in the water.

Sporting a Helmet

This is a great time for riding bikes, going out on roller blades and taking out the skateboard. All of these activities require the use of safety gear. Get helmets that fit properly, are snug on the head and come down low over the eyebrows. The use of roller blades and skateboards requires wrist guards to avoid overextending the wrist in a fall. You may also want to consider knee pads for little ones who are just learning how to enjoy these sports.

The summer is a time for fun in the sun and enjoying the great weather, but it’s also a time for accidents and serious injuries if you aren’t careful. There’s no need to put your child in a bubble when you take these simple precautions. Your kids can still enjoy the weather, but they’ll be safe even as they’re playing.

Earnest Parenting: help for parents who want to keep kids safe this summer.