The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is sharing important safety reminders for families as summer activities ramp up.
DPH leads Safe Kids South Carolina. The non-profit works to reduce preventable injuries to children and teens. Safety recommendations include:
In the home
Families are encouraged to install smoke alarms on every level of the home and inside bedrooms. Installing carbon monoxide detectors is also recommended. Both should be tested regularly.
Store medicines, cleaning products and other hazardous items securely—out of the reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion, save the poison help number (800-222-1222) in your phone and post it visibly at home.
Statistics show about seven children go to the emergency room daily in the U.S. because of furniture or televisions tipping over. Securing those items can prevent injuries.
On the road
According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, performing regular vehicle checks is important to maintain safety and comfort during summer months.
Plan your route ahead, always buckle up and make sure car seats are properly installed and well-fitted. To prevent vehicular heatstroke, check your backseat before getting out of the car.
More than 30% of motor vehicle crash deaths involving teens occur during the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Encourage teen drivers to reduce distractions, buckle up and follow road safety laws.
It is also critical for people riding electric bikes and scooters to wear a properly fitted helmet and obey traffic laws and rules.
For pedestrians and bicyclists
Children should look left, right and left again before crossing the street and use sidewalks or paths when available. If there are no sidewalks, it is safest to walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
Children should always wear a helmet while biking, skateboarding, riding a scooter or roller skating.
For more information and resources on how to protect children this summer, visit safekids.org or DPH's injury prevention webpage.
