As summer approaches, parents and caregivers are reminded to take extra precautions to ensure their children’s safety. Consumer Reports highlights simple precautions around pools, bikes, CPR, and open windows that can help caregivers protect children during the busy summer season.

Water Safety

Dr. Darria Long, a board-certified emergency physician and mother of three, emphasizes the importance of prevention. She recommends using multiple layers of protection whenever children are near a pool, lake, or other body of water. This includes assigning one adult to actively watch children in the water at all times, avoiding distractions such as phones and other screens, and ensuring that children who are not strong swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

Additionally, Consumer Reports recommends that pools be surrounded by a fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate to help prevent unsupervised access.

Other Summer Hazards

Summer also means more bikes, scooters, and tricycles. Experts stress that any child riding something with wheels should wear a properly fitted helmet. Because children grow quickly, parents should check helmet fit regularly.

Another summer hazard that often goes overlooked is open windows. Child safety experts warn that standard window screens are designed to keep bugs out—not children in. Families with young children should consider installing window guards or window stops to help prevent falls.

Consumer Reports also encourages parents, grandparents, babysitters, and other caregivers to refresh their CPR and choking-response skills. Being prepared for an emergency can make a critical difference when every second counts.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.