BIKING –––
SWIMMING –––
FIREWORKS SAFETY –––
Global Road Safety May8th - May 14th
Have a safe and happy summer and we look forward to seeing you soon !
BIKING –––
A properly fitted helmet is the most effective way to prevent a head injury . There are so many great reasons to ride your bike : It offers fun , freedom and exercise , and it ’ s good for the environment . We want kids and families to ride their bikes as much as possible . Here are a few tips so that you ’ ll be safe while you do so .
TOP TIPS
• Wear a properly-fitted helmet . It is the best way to prevent head injuries and death .
• Ride on the sidewalk when you can . If not , ride in the same direction as traffic as far on the right-hand side as possible .
• Use hand signals and follow the rules of the road . Be predictable by making sure you ride in a straight line and don ’ t swerve between cars .
• Wear bright colors and use lights , especially when riding at night and in the morning . Reflectors on your clothes and bike will help you be seen .
• Ride with your children . Stick together until you are comfortable that your kids are ready to ride on their own .
SWIMMING –––
Be safe when swimming - know the tips ! We know water is everywhere . Whether it ' s a trip to the beach or a dip in the community or backyard pool , you can ensure that swimming is as safe as it is fun by following a few basic safety tips . Children 1 – 4 years old are more likely to drown in a pool . Children 5 years and older are more likely to drown in natural water , such as ponds , lakes and rivers .
TOP TIPS
• Watch kids when they are in or around water , without being distracted . Keep young children within arm ’ s reach of an adult . Make sure older children swim with a partner every time .
• Teach children how to swim . Every child is different , so enroll children in swim lessons when they are
THE HARD FACTS
Properly-fitted helmets can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45 % – yet less than half of children 14 and under usually wear a bike helmet .
THE HARD FACTS
Among preventable injuries , drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 – 4 years old . ready . Consider their age , development and how often they are around water .
• Make sure kids learn how to swim and develop these five water survival skills : --step / jump into water over their heads and return to the surface ; --float or tread water for one minute ; --turn around in a full circle and find an exit ; --swim 25 yards to exit the water ; and exit the water . If in a pool , be able to exit without using the ladder
• Teach children that swimming in open water is not the same as swimming in a pool . They need to be aware of uneven surfaces , river currents , ocean undertow and changing weather .
FIREWORKS SAFETY –––
We know fireworks are fun and young kids look adorable holding those sparklers . Unfortunately , fireworks can cause serious injuries to children , including devastating burns and other injuries . The best way to keep your children safe is to not use any fireworks at home . Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals . If you plan to use fireworks , make sure to follow these tips to keep your kids as safe as possible .
TOP TIPS
• The best way to protect your family is to not use any fireworks at home . Instead , attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals .
• If you plan to use fireworks , make sure they are legal in your area .
• Closely supervise children around fireworks at all times .
THE HARD FACTS
More than 3,000 children under the age of 15 are sent to the emergency room each year in the United States because of fireworks .
Sparklers , which are typically viewed by parents as relatively harmless fireworks for children , account for one-third of the injuries to children under five . Little arms are too short to hold sparklers , which can heat up to 1,200 degrees . How about this ? Let your young children use glow sticks instead . They can be just as fun but they don ’ t burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass .
• Always have a bucket of water and / or a fire extinguisher nearby . Know how to operate the fire extinguisher properly .
Global Road Safety May8th - May 14th
Have a safe and happy summer and we look forward to seeing you soon !
For more information about Safe Kids Union County please contact : Kim Karpovich at Kim . Karpovich @ CarolinasHealthCare Visit our Facebook . org • page Windi at Henderson : safekids at / windihenderson communitiesofunioncounty
@ hembybridgevfd . com
Missy Lemmonds at Missy . Lemmonds www @ CarolinasHealthCare . safekids . org . org