The 5 Most Common Ways Kids Get Injured in Summer

Because kiddos have more time for play during the summer, pediatric hospitals refer to these months as “trauma season.”

Knowing what to look for and how to keep your loved ones safe while they enjoy the sweet, sweet days of summer is key!

So, what causes the most common summertime injuries:

  • Trampolines (about 100,000 injuries every year)

  • Playgrounds (79% of playground injuries involve falls)

  • ATV’s (cause over 30,000 ER visits each year)

  • Activities on wheels (every hour, nearly 50 kids will go to ER with related injury)

  • Window Falls (causes 4,000 children ages <10 to seek treatment)


In my online course, Mastering Medical Emergencies at Home, I cover some of the most medical emergencies and what you can do to help prevent them, or help avoid a trip to the ER.

1. TRAMPOLINES

  • Use safety nets and pads.

  • It’s best to allow one jumper at a time, but if you allow more, don’t let small kids jump with bigger kids; small kids are especially susceptible to trampoline injuries.

  • Place your trampoline at ground level, on a soft surface, like grass, and create a safe zone of at least 8 feet around the trampoline, keeping it clear at all times.


2. PLAYGROUNDS

  • Adult supervision is key

  • Only play at parks with a soft surfaces such as wood chips, playground chips, or grass

  • Slide feet-first, don’t climb outside guardrails, don’t stand on swing

  • Never push or roughhouse while on jungle gyms, slides, seesaws, swings, and other equipment

  • Falls cause the most injuries; so monitor kids climbing closely


3. ATV USE

  • Strongly discourage ATV use by anyone under the age of 16

  • Always wear motorcycle-style helmets approved by the department of transportation

  • Do not allow children to drive an adult model ATV which can reach up to 80 mph

  • Do not carry passengers

  • Stay off public roads


4. ACTIVITIES ON WHEELS

  • Wear a helmet: helmets reduce the risk of a head injury by 85% -- even if it’s just a short ride, wear a helmet! -- Plus, be a good example as a parent, and wear a helmet yourself!

  • Don’t ride at night when cars can’t see you

  • Teach children how to be defensive riders: staying on sidewalks, staying on sides of streets, and always keeping in mind that cars might not see them


5. WINDOW FALLS

  • Summer months, when windows are left open, see the most injuries

  • Do not rely on screens to prevent a window fall; install window locks on all windows

  • Avoid placement of furniture near windows to prevent children from climbing, and place their play spaces away from windows

  • Where possible, place grass or wood chips below high windows


Keep enjoying the summer sun and soaking up all those precious moments with your little ones! What a gift it is to be a caregiver, a hero, a friend, a teacher, a coach, an encourager, a supporter, a cheerleader for our little ones… each and every day.

And can I just add, I continue to be so overwhelmed by the love and support you give to your little kiddos. You should be SO proud of yourselves! Blessed beyond measure, that is what we are. Keep parenting with that Mama Intuition --- filled with joy and devotion for your kiddos.

summer safetyRyan Trippinjury, emergency, medical emergencyComment