Summer Safety Tips for kids

Posted by Melissa Chapman Jun 28, 2006

Yes it's summer again, and for me, as a stay-at-home Mom, I don't necessarily get a true "summer vacation" but which parents do? However, when mid- June rolls around and the school year ends, I too get caught up in that indescribable euphoria of summertime. In between that break from school and until day camp begins, I throw all schedules, appointments, bath times and I'm ashamed to admit it, even mealtimes, out the window. I guess, I too want and NEED a break from the daily grind of schedules.

However, losing the schedules, for me, has also meant, being a little less vigilant about what my kids are doing. Not that I sit with my 15-month- old and watch over him like a hawk during the school year- but being in my "summertime haze" I may have slipped and forgotten some of the "golden" summer safety tips for kids- which I now have learned that all parents, stay-at-home or not must regard as their sacred summer time "bible." Unfortunately, even when we think we can let our guards down, as parents, we need to be on duty- 24/7 - there are no exceptions- no matter how wonderful the weather gets.

Several days ago, during one of those "lazy, hazy days of summer," after spending time at the swim club, my sister, her almost two-year-old son and my two kids were back at my house playing their usual games. Truthfully, none of us adults were supervising the children and, in hindsight, while that was not our fatal flaw, having a large fan on the floor within reach of any of these kids, was a HUGE MISTAKE. The first summer safety tip that I outline in my latest article clearly states that parents should NEVER leave children unattended in the presence of a fan.

Needless to say, my sweet, curious, almost two and a half year-old nephew, somehow managed to get his fingers caught in the fan as it was moving, and as you might imagine, all hell broke loose! My nephew began to scream, the fan began to make a weird grating sound and the piece inside flew off and of course we all rushed over, unsure of what had happened. My nephew's hand was profusely bleeding. For a split second, until we were able to wrestle him off the floor and to the bathroom sink, we thought the fan may have severely severed his fingers. Upon further examination, although the wounds on his tiny fingers were quite deep, his fingers had not been severed.

After waiting in the emergency room for four hours, and my nephew having to wear a bandage that couldn't be washed for four days, during which time he couldn't go to day care for fear that his wounds would get infected, he is currently doing just fine.

So why do I share this horrible story with you? I guess just to reiterate the importance of our responsibility as parents. We constantly need to be aware of our children's surroundings and vigilant about keeping them safe. Please check out my article, Summer Safety Tips for Kids. And if you have any more tips that you would like to share please e-mail me at stayathomeparents@suite101.com or why not start a discussion. We all need to help each other out!