It’s summer! Kids are out of school, and many will be at the pool, riding their bikes, or going on trips with their families. While summer can be a time for families to reconnect, this season poses additional challenges to keep kids safe.
The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) Summer Child Safety web page (www.in.gov/dcs/summerchildsafety) offers many resources to share with families and friends.
“As an agency, we want to remind parents and caregivers of the heightened need to actively supervise children in the summer months,” said DCS Director Mary Beth Bonaventura. “Tragedy can happen in a moment. Take the time for additional precautions around the home, especially around water. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water, so make sure to keep a close, constant eye on them.”
Water Safety
Staying safe around water is more than staying near the lifeguard at the pool. Every year many children drown in residential swimming pools, bath tubs, retention ponds, buckets of water and other containers of water. Anywhere there is water there is a risk of drowning.
To drive home the importance of water safety, there are two videos, Be Right Back Bathtub Safety and In the Pool Summer Safety available. Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water. This means to be able to see and hear your child at all times. Do not leave a young child unattended or out of sight, not even for a moment.
Danger of Leaving Children in Hot Cars
Every summer, heartbreaking and preventable deaths happen when children are left alone in hot cars. Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.
“Look before You Lock” – Get in the habit of always opening the back door to check the back seat before leaving your vehicle. Make sure no child has been left behind. More information is on the Summer Child Safety page, including the video One Decision.
Additional Summer Safety Information
Links to other topics and fact sheets range from fireworks safety, information on the Zika virus and family travel, Top Tips for Summer Sports Safety, and many others.
