Outdoor Safety Tips for Child Safety Month

National Child Safety and Protection Month, also known as Child Safety Protection Month, is a crucial time to raise awareness about the various risks children face both at home and in the community. This month provides an excellent opportunity to promote safety by creating a safety plan, organizing community clean-up events, and utilizing resources to teach children about essential safety measures.

November is National Child Safety and Protection Month. It is an opportunity for parents and caretakers to evaluate the safety of the children in their care and search for ways to reduce the risk of injury. This includes injuries that may occur outdoors, such as in a yard or playground. While parents cannot be expected to watch every minute of outdoor play, they can take a few simple precautions to make the outdoors safer for their children.

Importance of Outdoor Safety

Outdoor safety is a critical aspect of child safety and protection. As children spend more time playing outdoors, they are exposed to various risks and hazards that can lead to injuries and accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children aged 1-14 years in the United States. Therefore, it is essential to promote outdoor safety and educate parents, caregivers, and children on how to prevent accidents and injuries.

Outdoor safety is not only important for preventing physical harm but also for promoting mental and emotional well-being. Spending time outdoors can have numerous benefits for children, including improved concentration, academic scores, and self-esteem. Moreover, outdoor play can help children develop essential life skills, such as teamwork, negotiation, conflict resolution, and multitasking. By prioritizing outdoor safety, we can ensure that children enjoy the benefits of playing outdoors while minimizing the risks.

Create a Safe Outdoor Play Space

Take the time to inspect where your children will be playing. Maintaining both indoor and outdoor space is crucial for child safety and overall cleanliness. Many child injuries can be prevented with precautionary measures, such as identifying and addressing potential premises hazards. Encourage your children to play in designated safe areas, such as a fenced yard that has already been inspected. Take the following steps to cultivate a safe, secure and hazard-free outdoor play area:

• Clean up any trash, debris, broken glass or other potentially dangerous items.
• Place any waste (including animal feces) in a heavy-duty trash bag or locked trash receptacle.
• Pick up sharp sticks that could poke or stab playing children.
• Eliminate trip and fall risks, such as exposed tree roots or clutter in the yard.
• Check deck, patio, and walkway surfaces for foot injury risks, such as splintered wood or nails.
• Fill in or securely cover any openings, such as wells and ditches.
• Secure any electrical equipment or appliances, including grills, away from outdoor play areas.
• Look for and carefully remove poisonous plants, such as poison ivy and poison oak.
• Have any insect infestations, such as wasp nests or beehives, addressed by professionals.
• Trim high grass and underbrush to avoid creating a habitat for animals and venomous snakes.

If an enclosed outdoor area or playground is not available for your children to play, teach them stranger safety tips. This includes not talking to strangers or anyone who pulls up to the area in a vehicle. Tell them to never go anywhere with someone they don’t know and to stay more than an arm’s reach away from strangers. They should call for help immediately if someone makes them uncomfortable.

Pay Attention to “Attractive Nuisances”

An attractive nuisance is a legal term referring to a dangerous condition that exists on someone’s property that is particularly attractive to children and poses a risk to them. Examples include swimming pools, ponds, trampolines, bounce houses, and treehouses. If your property has a hazardous condition that draws children in, you are legally responsible for taking steps to prevent child trespassers from entering the premises. This may include putting up a fence, covering a swimming pool, or installing security systems.

Inspect Playground Equipment

Before you allow your children to play on a playground in your yard or neighborhood, inspect for any potential injury risks. It is also important to use safety straps to secure children in strollers and other equipment to prevent injuries. Playgrounds can fall into a state of disrepair if they are not properly maintained. Playground equipment may come apart, collapse or break. There may be exposed nails or screws that could cause lacerations. In addition, some playground structures have been recalled due to product defects. You should not allow your children to play on a playground that exhibits any potential injury risks.

Outdoor Safety Essentials

To ensure outdoor safety, it is crucial to take certain precautions and follow essential safety tips. Here are some outdoor safety essentials to keep in mind:

• Supervise children at all times when they are playing outdoors. Constant supervision can prevent many accidents and ensure immediate assistance if needed.
• Ensure children wear proper safety gear, such as helmets and life jackets, when engaging in high-risk activities. This can significantly reduce the risk of serious injuries.
• Teach children about road safety and pedestrian rules. Educate them on looking both ways before crossing the street and using crosswalks.
• Be aware of potential hazards, such as swimming pools and trampolines. These can be attractive nuisances that require extra safety measures.
• Establish a safe play area for children, free from obstacles and hazards. A designated play space can help keep children within a safe environment.
• Enforce safety rules and regulations, such as wearing sunscreen and protective clothing. Consistent enforcement helps children understand the importance of these rules.
• Provide children with safety equipment, such as first aid kits and emergency contact information. Being prepared for emergencies can make a significant difference in response times.

By following these outdoor safety essentials, you can create a safer environment for your children to enjoy their outdoor activities.

Prepare Your Child for Outdoor Activities

Depending on the outdoor activity that your child will be engaging in, he or she may need special safety gear or equipment. When traveling to these activities, it is crucial to use a child safety seat and ensure proper child safety seat installation. This not only protects your child but also sets a good example for community safety. If your child likes to ride on a bicycle, roller skates, or skateboard, equip him or her with a properly fitting helmet and pads. Your child should also wear appropriate footwear for the desired activity, such as closed-toed shoes for running or riding a bike.

Protect your child from the sun during outdoor activities with sunscreen, a hat, long clothes, and proper hydration. If biting insects are a problem, use a child-safe bug repellent. Teach your child emergency preparedness tips in common outdoor accident scenarios, such as how to call for help using a cell phone or walkie-talkie. Take your child to swimming lessons before allowing him or her to do any water activities so he or she knows what to do in a water emergency.

Teach Children Traffic Safety Tips

Traffic safety is critical for children who are playing outdoors. Correctly using a child’s car seat is essential to prevent injuries during vehicle travel. Pedestrian collisions involving children result in thousands of serious injuries and deaths each year. Teach your children never to play near a street or railroad tracks. If a toy or ball rolls into a street or driveway, tell your child to go to an adult for assistance.

If a child has to cross a road to get to a playground or outdoor play area, accompany him or her. Teach your child to look both ways before crossing and only to cross at a crosswalk. Children should be especially careful around parked cars, as oncoming vehicles may not be able to see them. Children should never dart out from between parked cars into a roadway.

Beware of Dangerous Dogs

Stray dogs and dogs running at large present potential injury risks to unsuspecting children. It is crucial to be aware of small children playing outside to ensure their safety. Teach your child a few basic stray dog safety tips, such as never to pet or approach a strange dog or animal. Children should treat all animals with care and caution. If a dog appears as if it is about to attack, the child should not shout or run but stand completely still and wait for it to leave. If the dog attacks, the child should go into a fetal position on the ground with his or her arms protecting the face and neck.

Community Awareness and Education

Raising awareness and promoting education on outdoor safety is crucial for preventing accidents and injuries. Here are some ways to promote community awareness and education:

• Share safety tips and resources with parents, caregivers, and children. Distributing information can help everyone stay informed about best practices.
• Organize community events, such as safety fairs and workshops, to educate people on outdoor safety. These events can provide hands-on learning experiences.
• Collaborate with local schools and childcare centers to promote outdoor safety education. Schools can play a pivotal role in teaching children about safety.
• Provide training and resources for child passenger safety technicians and other safety professionals. Proper training ensures that safety measures are correctly implemented.
• Encourage community members to take an active role in promoting outdoor safety and protecting children. Collective efforts can lead to a safer community for all.

By promoting community awareness and education, we can work together to create a safer and healthier environment for children to play and thrive. Remember, safety starts at home, and it’s essential to take collective action to promote safety and protection in our communities.

Was Your Child Injured Outdoors? Contact Us to Discuss Your Family’s Legal Rights

Playing outdoors is beneficial to children in many ways. By taking a few precautions, you can decrease your child’s risk of suffering an injury while playing outside. Despite your best efforts to keep your child safe during outdoor play, however, he or she may still sustain an injury. Oftentimes, child injuries are due to someone else’s negligence, such as an irresponsible property owner or the manufacturer of a defective product. In these scenarios, the injured child’s family may be eligible for financial compensation from the at-fault party.

If your child gets injured in any type of accident or incident in Nebraska, contact a child injury lawyer in Omaha at Knowles Law Firm for legal advice by calling (402) 431-9000 or filling out a contact form. We offer free case consultations and personalized legal services to accident victims and their families. This Child Safety Month, we hope your family stays safe from any injury risks. If the worst happens, however, we are here to help you pursue justice and fair financial compensation.