Safety Tips
Kids are going to fall, crash, slip and tumble. It’s all part of being a kid, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. But there are little things we can all do to ensure that kids avoid the more serious injuries that can lead to disabilities and even death. And we’re here to make it easy for you.
Think of us as your go-to source for safety information and safety tips. On this site, you will find tips from top safety experts on everything you need to keep kids of any age safe from preventable injuries.
BICYCLE/HELMET SAFETY
- Always wear an approved bicycle safety helmet.
- Stop and check for traffic before you enter a street.
- Avoid riding after dark or if weather is bad.
- Obey traffic signs, signals and pavement markings.
- Drive on the right side of the street.
- Be extra careful turning left.
- Slow down when you approach intersections.
- Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way.
- Avoid broken pavement, litter, loose gravel, and mud. Any of these may cause you to lose control of your bike.
BOATING SAFETY
- Always wear a coast guard-approved life jacket when boating.
- Never mix alcohol with boating.
- Check weather conditions before leaving the shore.
- Never carry more passengers on your craft than specified.
- Know your waterways. Travel in suitable areas for your boat.
- Designate 1/3 of your fuel for your destination, 1/3 for your return, and 1/3 for reserve.
- Assure that at least 2 people are aware of your intended course and time schedule.
- Make sure that your boat is properly maintained. Have your boat routinely inspected for safety.
Camping Safety
- Keep first aid supplies and emergency telephone numbers accessible at all times.
- Know where the nearest telephone or ranger station is located, and carry a cell phone if possible.
- Dress children in several layers of clothing. The inner layer should be a breathable, synthetic material that pulls moisture from the skin.
- Remember, a child’s body temperature changes faster than an adult’s.
- Check the weather forecast before you leave.
- Pack essentials, such as flashlights, extra food, water and rain gear in case of bad weather.
- Make sure sleeping bags are clean, warm and dry.
- Inform others where you are camping and when you’ll return. Teach kids how to be safe and responsible in the outdoors.
Car Entrapment
- Never leave your child in an unattended car, even with the windows down.
- Always lock your car door and trunks even when at home.
- Be aware of child-resistant locks.
- Make sure that all the children leave the vehicle when you reach your destination.
Child Seat Safety
- Carefully read car seat instructions and the vehicle service manual section on child restraints.
- Children 12 years of age and younger should ride in the back seat.
- Secure the child properly in the correct restraint.
- Get a tight fit. The seat shouldn’t move more than 1 inch from side to side forward or backward.
- Child should ride in a rear-facing seat until they exceed the height & weight limits of the car seat.
- Children 1 year old and 20-40 pounds should be in a front-facing car seat, if they can no longer ride rear-facing.
- Children 40-80 (4-8 years old) should be in booster seats.
- Children over 80 pounds can fit correctly in a lap/shoulder belt.
- Have your car seat inspected by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Crib Safety
- Make sure that there are no slats missing, cracked, loose or splintered.
- The crib should not have any sharp or jagged edges.
- Screws and bolts are tightly holding the crib together.
- Mattress is covered with a well fitting crib sheet.
- Crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
- Crib corner posts should flush with end panels.
- Lowered crib sides should be at least 26 inches from the mattress support in its lowest position.
Fire and Burns
- Keep matches, lighters, and other heat sources out of children’s reach.
- Remove anything too close to the fireplace.
- Avoid plugging in several appliance cords into the same electrical socket or extension cord.
- Teach your child to crawl under the smoke while covering their mouths and noses.
- Teach children to stop drop and roll.
- Plan and practice escape routes out of each room of the house.
- Teach children to never go back into a burning building.
- Store flammable liquids such as gasoline outside your home.
- Turn pot handle toward the middle of the stove. Use the back burners when possible.
- Keep hot liquids away from children.
- Keep children a safe distance from stoves and heaters.
- Install smoke detectors in your house and check them twice a month.
Fireworks Safety
- Do not allow young children to play with fireworks under any circumstances.
- Older children should only be permitted to use fireworks under close adult supervision.
- Keep unused fireworks away from firing area.
- Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
- Sparklers are not harmless; they reach a temperature of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
- Do not try to relight or handle a malfunctioning firework.
- Douse firework debris with water before deposing in a garbage can.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of emergencies.
- Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves or grass, and flammable liquids.
Home Safety
- Store dangerous items out of reach of children.
- Lock medicine cabinets.
- Keep beds and cribs away from windows and drapery.
- Remove matches, lighters, and breakable knickknacks away from children’s reach.
- Cover all unused electrical outlets.
- Keep first aid supplies on hand.
Hot Weather Safety
- Keep sun exposure and physical activity to a minimum during periods of extreme heat.
- Spend as many hours as possible in a cool place.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid alcohol.
- Eat regularly, avoiding large meals and overeating.
- If you feel unusually weak, dizzy, or confused. Get Help. Call 911.
Lawnmower Safety
- Know how to operate your equipment.
- Dress properly for the job.
- Handle gas carefully.
- Clear the area before you start.
- Keep children and pets away from the work area.
- Operate carefully and follow safety procedures.
- Keep hands and feet away from moving parts.
- Wear hearing and eye protection.
- Mow across hills to avoid falls.
- Keep the mower flat on the ground. Never lift the mower.
- Shut off the engine when adjusting mower height.
- If you hit something, stop the mower and shut it off. Check for damage before starting the mower again.
Pedestrian Safety
- Do not allow children under 10 to cross the street alone.
- Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
- Understand and obey traffic signals.
- Walk facing traffic when on the sidewalk.
- Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
- Cross at corners of streets using appropriate traffic signals.
Playground Safety
- Check to make sure that playground equipment is age-appropriate.
- Avoid hard playground surfacing.
- Actively supervise children using playground equipment.
- Make sure that the equipment does not have splintering wood or metal.
- The area should be checked for broken glass and other garbage.
- Do not allow children to jump from the equipment.
Sports and Recreation
- Get a general health exam and orthopedic exam before competing.
- Check playing fields and courts for hazards before each game and practice.
- Make sure children always wear appropriate safety gear.
- Ensure warm ups and stretching will be administered before and after each game and practice.
- Make sure your child drinks plenty of water.
- Make sure your child is actively supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
- An extremely high body temperature
- Red, hot, dry skin
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
Toy Safety
- Use recommended age labeling as a guide and look for warnings and other safety messages on toy packaging.
- Avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed or inhaled.
- Check for well-sewn seams on stuffed animals and cloth dolls.
- Purchase a toy storage chest that has a removable lid.
- Make sure that points on toys have blunted edges.
- Electric toys are only to be used by children over the age of 8.
Water Safety
- Assure children’s safety by having them wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Never drink alcohol in or-around water.
- Actively supervise children in or around water.
- Enclose your pool or spa with a four sided fence at least four feet high.
- Empty and turn over wading pools.
- Learn CPR and keep rescue equipment, telephone, and emergency numbers by the pool.
- Use door alarms, pool alarms and automatic pool covers for extra protection.
- Teach your child to swim.
- Teach your child to never run, push, or jump on others in or around water.