Summer Safety Tips & Bicycle Safety

May 2003 — For most of us, May marks the beginning of warm weather and outdoor fun. Each year the American Academy of Pediatrics issues summer safety tips that can help ensure your family has a safe and happy summer. Keep these handy over the next few months as you begin your summer outings and activities.

Fun in the Sun

For Older Children:

Cover up. It's the first and best defense against the sun. Wear a hat, sunglasses and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
Stay in the shade whenever possible. Avoid sun exposure during the peak intensity hours — between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Use a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough — about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

For Young Children:

Keep babies under 6 months of age out of direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, umbrella or the stroller canopy.
Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs and use brimmed hats. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside. Use sunscreen even on cloudy days.

Pool Safety

Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
Surround your pool on all four sides with a sturdy five-foot fence.
Make sure pool gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.
Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook — a long pole with a hook on the end — and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
Practice "touch supervision" by keeping infants and toddlers within arm's length of an adult.

Bug Safety

Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
Remove a visible stinger by gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
Use DEET in concentrations of 30 percent or less.

Lawn Mover Safety

Use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is let go.
Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers.
Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing.
Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects before mowing begins.
Use hearing and eye protection when mowing.
Turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher; unclogging the discharge chute; or crossing gravel paths, roads or other areas.
Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.

Bicycle Safety

How can I tell if a helmet will keep my child safe?
You should only buy a helmet that meets the bicycle helmet safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Any helmet meeting these standards is labeled. Check the inside.

Do all helmets meet these standards?
All helmets manufactured or imported for use after March 1999 must comply with a mandatory safety standard issued by the CPSC. Older helmets certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or Snell Memorial Foundation may continue to be used.

Can other kinds of helmets be used for bicycling?
Each type of helmet is designed for protection in specific conditions and may not offer enough protection in bike accidents or falls. Bike helmets are very protective in head-first falls at fairly high speeds, and are light and well ventilated for comfort and acceptability. A multisport helmet, certified to meet the CPSC standard for bicycle helmets, also is acceptable.

Where can I get a helmet?
Helmets meeting CPSC safety standards are available at bicycle shops and at some discount, department, and toy stores in adult, toddler, and children's sizes and styles. Do not resell, donate, or buy a used bike helmet because it may be too old to provide protection or may have been in a crash.

What are the various merits of the 2 types of helmets, hard shell and soft shell?
The essential part of the helmet for impact protection is a thick layer of firm polystyrene, plastic foam, that crushes on impact, absorbing the force of the blow. All helmets require a chin strap to keep them in place in a crash.

Hard-shell helmets also have a hard outer shell of plastic or fiberglass that provides a shield against penetration by sharp objects and holds the polystyrene together if it cracks in a fall or crash. These -helmets are more sturdy, but tend to be heavier and warmer than the soft-shell models.

Soft-shell helmets have no hard outer shell but are made of an extra-thick layer of polystyrene -covered with a cloth cover or surface coating. The cloth cover is an essential part of many soft-shell helmets. If the helmet comes with a cover, the cover must always be worn to hold the helmet together if the polystyrene cracks on impact. Both types meet CPSC standards; the main difference is style and comfort.

Although there is no consensus on the relative safety of the 2 types, models of both types have passed the CPSC test. The soft-shell helmets are lighter than the hard-shell versions but may be less durable.

How should a helmet fit?
A helmet should be worn squarely on top of the head, covering the top of the forehead. If it is tipped back, it will not protect the forehead. The helmet fits well if it doesn't move around on the head or slide down over the wearer's eyes when pushed or pulled. The chin strap should be adjusted to fit snugly.

Are there helmets for infants?
Yes. Many infant-sized helmets are of the soft-shell variety. They are light, an important consideration for small children whose necks may not be strong enough to comfortably hold a hard-shell helmet. Babies younger than 1 year have relatively weak neck structure. Neither helmets nor bike traveling is recommended for them.

How long will a child's helmet fit?
An infant's or child's helmet should fit for several years. Most models have removable fitting pads that can be replaced with thinner ones as the child's head grows.

Can a helmet be reused after an accident?
In general, a helmet that has been through a serious fall or accident should be retired with gratitude. It has served its purpose and may not provide adequate protection in another crash. If you are uncertain whether the helmet is still usable, throw it away.

Dear Parent,

Your child is old enough to start learning how to prevent injuries. Be a good example—wear your helmet!

It takes time to form a safety habit. Teach and continually remind your child about these safety messages. Make safety a big part of your lives.

Establish the helmet habit early.
Have your children wear helmets as soon as they start to ride tricycles and if they are a passenger on the back of an adult's bike. If they learn to wear helmets whenever they ride tricycles and bikes, it becomes a habit for a lifetime. It's never too late, however, to get your children into helmets. Allow your child to participate in choosing their helmet. They'll be able to let you know if it is comfortable. And if they like the design, they are more likely to wear it.

Wear a helmet yourself.
Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride your bike, put on your helmet. Plan bicycle outings during which all family members wear their helmets to further reinforce the message. The most important factor influencing children to wear helmets is riding with an adult who wears a helmet.

Talk to your children about why you want them to protect their heads.
There are many things you can tell your children to convince them of the importance of helmet use.

Bikes are vehicles, not toys.
You love and value them and their intelligence, and need to protect them.
They can permanently hurt their brains or even die of head injuries

Most professional athletes use helmets when participating in sports. Bicycle racers are now required to use them when racing in the United States and in the Olympics.

Reward your kids for wearing helmets.
Praise them; give them special treats or privileges when they wear their helmets without having to be told to.

Don't let children ride their bikes unless they wear their helmets.
Be consistent. If you allow your children to ride occasionally without their helmets, they won't believe that helmet use really is important. Tell your children they have to find another way to get where they are going if they don't want to use their helmets.

Encourage your children's friends to wear helmets.
Peer pressure can be used in a positive way if several families in the neighborhood start making helmet use a regular habit at the same time