Summer Safety Tips

With more hours of daylight and kids home from school comes more child-related accidents. In fact, trips to the emergency room double in the summer months. As parents it's a time to be especially vigilant. And, while you want them to have fun, you also want your kids to stay safe. Read on to find out some tips for keeping your kids safe and healthy this summer:

Ease the Burn - Nothing can ruin summer fun faster than a nasty sunburn. Even if it's overcast outside be sure to apply sunscreen to your kids at least 30 minutes before they go outside and then re-apply every two hours. To really protect your kids though, think about what clothes they're wearing. Look for swimwear that has a UPF factor (this is a rating that measure's a fabric's ability to block UV rays) I love the Lands End line of swimwear as it has a UPF rating of 50 - and it's adorable as well! You can check it out at www.landsend.com

Ban the Bite - Mosquitoes are the uninvited guests that always seem to crash your barbecues or picnics. Not only are they a nuisance but now they can potentially carry West Nile Virus. It's not enough to spray your kids with insect repellant, you need to protect the entire area. OFF! Power Pad Lamps and Lanterns are equivalent to 15 citronella candles and cover and area of 225 square feet. And, because they're completely self-enclosed you don't have to worry about having them tip over like you would a citronella candle. You can purchase them at most mass merchandise and hardware stores or check out www.offprotects.com

Think of Yourself - Not only do kids' routines go out the window in the summer but so do moms. We're so busy taking care of our kids we often end up neglecting our own health, even on the most basic levels. For example, gingivitis affects 1 out of 2 Americans. Crest's Pro-Health toothpaste is the only toothpaste with stannous fluoride, known to kill bacteria. Also, consider switching to a power toothbrush like the Oral-B Vitality Precision which is twice as effective at reducing plaque. For more information visit their websites at www.crestprohealth.com and www.oralb.com

Size Up the Seat - Between shuttling from camps to the beach and vacations, we're spending a lot more time in the car with the kids during the summer. It's so important to make sure that your car seats are installed properly. According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, close to 85% of car seats are not used properly. It's understandable, and that's why the LATCH system is helpful in making it easier to use car seats. You also need to think about side-impact safety. 1 out of 4 car accidents has a side impact component. More and more car seat manufacturers are adopting side-impact standards. In fact all of the Evenflo infant car seats are now side-impact tested and the rest of the line will be by summer. Also, make sure you have the right car seat and positioning. Babies should be rear facing until 1 year and 20 pounds. Learn more about car seat safety at Evenflo's website, www.safetymadeeasier.com