Summer continues to sizzle with outdoor parties. From pool parties to backyard barbecues, kids can be very prone to injury or illness resulting from carelessness during an outdoor party in the summer months.
Here are some helpful, common sense reminders for the next time you receive a summer party invitation with young children:
- Playground equipment. A favorite destination on the birthday party invitation, pre-schoolers should not climb higher than 4 feet. Many playgrounds have separate equipment designed for shorter climbers.
- Heat. Watch children closely. Dehydration happens fast, so keep water and Popsicles handy to keep fluids in. Never leave a young one in the car; all it takes is 10 minutes to do serious harm.
- Food. Bacteria grow faster in the heat of summer, so don’t let food sit out more than an hour. Keep fruits, salads, and cheeses fresh on ice, and make sure food is thoroughly cooked.
- Bicycles. In a word, helmets! American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends kids avoid riding in the street until age 10. Go over traffic rules such as looking both ways and hand signals.
- Sunscreen. Shade, hats and long-sleeves just aren’t always practical for kids, so look for broad spectrum sunscreens with a minimum of SPF 15 to provide the protection. Parenting.com recently recommended new mineral-based, chemical free sunscreens that are safe for babies.
- Skateboards, roller skates and scooters. Again, helmets. Kids using hands-free equipment like skateboards and roller skates should also wear wrist supports and knee pads.
- Swimming pools. Constant adult supervision is the rule here. Don’t be fooled by plastic kiddie pool or above-ground pools. In-ground pools not properly fenced in or with a diving board also raise a flag.
- Bugs. Mosquitoes, bees and ticks are some of summer’s more notorious party crashers. Keep bug spray handy and always check scalps, socks and skin for ticks in woodsy areas.
You can find more information online from the experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics on other summertime activities, including boating.
If you’re planning to host an outdoor party this summer, it’s always helpful to include some safety reminders right in your party invitations. Parents will find a list of safety items helpful to have, such as sunscreen, bug spray, helmets or life jackets, and that way you won’t be stuck not having enough to go around. If you are looking for fresh, fun party invitations, visit looklovesend.com. Our growing collection of party invitations include birthday, anniversary, graduation and many other special occasions. Join our email list and receive 20% off your first order.
