Summer Safety

During the summer, many families prepare to get out & enjoy the newly warming weather. Use these resources to ensure a SAFE & ACTIVE summer season!

Bicycle Helmets play a significant role in protecting cyclists from head and brain injuries — and the law requires them to be worn while biking in Seattle.

As cyclists of all ages take to our sunny streets, it’s important to suit up properly with a fitted bicycle helmet!

Learn more about Bicycle Helmet Safety including FREE fittings and giveaways for the entire family >>

Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death in youth — in Washington state, an average of 17 children and teens drown each year. It is important to stress that no single intervention is fully protective. Rather, multiple layers of protection are recommended. 

Learn more about Drowning Prevention & Water Safety >>

 

Being TOO HOT for TOO LONG can become problematic at any age — too much heat is not safe for anyone!

It is even riskier if you are older and/or have health problems. Older adults may be more likely to have heat-related health problems. Being hot for too long can cause hyperthermia which is a heat-related illness.

Share this infographic to help spread the word about staying safe in hot weather. It is important to get relief from the heat quickly. If not, you might begin to feel confused or faint. Your heart can also become stressed and stop beating.

Keep heat-related illnesses from becoming a danger:

  • Get out of the sun and into a cool place — air-conditioning is best.
  • Drink fluids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine — water, fruit or vegetable juices are healthier choices!
  • Shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water
  • Lie down and rest in a cool place
  • Visit your doctor or go to an emergency room if you are in distress and cannot cool down

Learn more about Heat Safety, conditions heat can cause, and what to do in case of a medical emergency >>

Open windows are nice during warm weather — but they also pose risks for young children. Window screens are designed to keep bugs out, but are NOT strong enough to keep children in.

According to Dr. Brian Johnston, Chief of Pediatrics at Harborview Medical Center, “We typically see about 40 to 50 children per year injured by window falls.’’

To avoid injury by window falls:

  • Window stops and window guards should be placed on windows above the first floor
  • Locks and guards should be easily removed by an adult in case of a fire
  • Window stops and window guards can be found at your local hardware store and online (costs range from $5 to $100)
  • Placing climbable furniture away from windows and keeping play areas away from windows and doors

Learn more about Window Guards and safety measures to prevent Window Falls >>

While it may be tempting to handle Fireworks, researchers and doctors say the injuries can be life-altering.

Harborview Medical Center found that injuries from mortars and shells tend to be more severe than injuries from other fireworks and can result in amputations and permanent blindness.

More than 3,000 children under the age of 15 are sent to the emergency room each year due to firework injuries. Among teens, injuries from homemade fireworks or modified fireworks (such as “sparkler bombs”) are extremely common.

To avoid injury by fireworks:

  • Attend public firework displays — leave lighting fireworks to the professionals & watch safely at a distance
  • Keep ALL fireworks away from children — make sure children stay are a safe distance away from a lit firework
  • Instead of sparklers, give children glowsticks — sparklers can heat up to more than 1,200 degrees & are dangerous for young children to handle
  • If you use fireworks, use ONLY (legal) consumer-grade fireworks and sparklers
  • Use outdoors
  • Wear protective eyewear
  • Keep a bucket of water handy to extinguish fireworks
  • Keep your pets at home

Learn more about Firework Safety >>

Campfires are a leading cause of youth camping injuries and a primary catalyst for our nation’s devastating forest fires.

Learn more about Campfire Safety and First Aid tips from injury prevention experts >>

Keep passengers safe every ride — regardless of whether you are heading out on a road trip or just running out for a quick errand. Make sure all passengers are in the right restraint system.

Kids under height 4’9″ (which is usually ages 8-12) should be in a car seat or booster seat.

Older children, teens and adults should all buckle up — this is the law in Washington state and in turn helps to set a safe example for kids.

Learn more about Car Seats & Booster Seats >>

 

Visit our Digital Resource Center to learn more about Summer Safety — plus, more injury and violence prevention topics year-round!