Summer’s a great time to relax and have fun. Whether they
are young children or teens, keep kids safe and healthy this
summer, at home, play, while traveling, and wherever else they may
be.
Swimming is one of the most popular recreational activities in
the United States and the most popular recreational activity for
children and teens (ages 7–17). Although swimming offers
numerous
health benefits, pools and other recreational water venues are
also places where germs can be spread.
Learn how to protect yourself and your kids from these germs
and help prevent recreational
water illnesses (RWIs).
Drownings are the leading cause of injury death for young
children ages 1 to 4, and three children die every day as a result
of drowning. Learn ways to prevent drowning, including:
- Always have supervision when in or around water
- Teach kids to swim
- Learn CPR
- Install a four-sided fence around home pools
Making boating safety a priority can ensure that it stays fun.
Of the people who died in a boating incident in 2009, more than 7
out of 10 (73%) drowned. More than 90 percent of the people who
drowned were not wearing a life jacket. Properly fitted life
jackets can prevent drownings and should be worn at all times by
everyone on any boat.
People who are at highest risk for heat-related illness are the
elderly, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic
diseases. But even young and healthy people can get sick from
the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities
during hot weather.
Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if
the windows are cracked open. Dress infants and children in loose,
lightweight, light-colored clothing. Learn more about heat-related
illnesses. Take steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries,
and deaths during hot weather.
Just
a few serious sunburns can increase your child's risk of skin
cancer later in life. Kids don't have to be at the pool, beach, or
on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from
the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they're
outdoors.
There are things you can do to help lower the risks for
concussion and other forms of traumatic brain injury. Concussions
can occur in any sport or recreation activity. Most people with a
concussion recover quickly and fully. But for some people, symptoms
can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be
slower among older adults, young children, and teens. Learn
concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion
occurs.
Each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more
than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related
injuries. Falls on
the playground are a common cause of injury. Check to make sure
that the surfaces under playground equipment are safe, soft, and
well- maintained (such as wood chips or sand, not dirt or
grass).
Stay smart around the house. Get smart tips on fire prevention, microwave
use, and living with pets. At a very young age, children develop
the habits and behaviors that will influence their lifelong health.
Get healthy
home tips for each room in the house.
Kids can use electronic media to embarrass, harass or threaten
their peers through email, a chat room, instant messaging, a
website (through blogs), or text messaging. Increasing
numbers of teens and pre-teens are becoming victims of this new
form of violence-electronic aggression. Keep close tabs on your
child’s electronic activities.
In the past 12 months, one in 10 teens report being hit or
physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend at least
once. During the preteen and teen years, young people are learning
skills they need to form positive relationships with others. This
is an ideal time to promote healthy relationships and prevent
patterns of dating violence that can last into adulthood.
More Information
CDC works 24/7 saving lives and protecting
people from health threats to have a more secure nation. A US
federal agency, CDC helps make the healthy choice the easy choice
by putting science and prevention into action. CDC works to help
people live longer, healthier and more productive lives.