Chill. We’ve got a guide to summer safety from the people who are interacting with your kids all summer long. The usual suspects? Sure. But what about museum safety managers, rock climbing instructors, aquatics experts, and travel pros? We’ve got them too. Sit back, grab a lemonade and soak up these tips from some experts you probably never considered.
Ron Forbes, safety manager, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
When the sun comes out, so do barely-there kid’s shoes like flip-flops
and Crocs. While airy and stylish, loose-fitting shoes can pose a
serious danger on escalators. Escalators intrigue young kids, and they
also are partial to catching these types of sandals in the teeth of the
revolving steps as children get on and off, potentially causing harm to
bare feet. Regardless of footwear, adults should closely supervise
children riding on escalators and remind kids that escalators are not
carnival rides but rather moving mechanical devices that could cause
injury if used improperly.
Julie Menor, elementary teacher, Prune Hill Elementary
While a smart move on the environmental front, electric and hybrid cars
can be silent killers if children playing near streets or on bikes are
caught off-guard and are not able to react or get out of the way in
time. Children can be focused on their fun and not hear an electric or
hybrid car approaching or rounding a nearby corner. Don’t always count
on driver awareness to prevent accidents; educate children on this issue
by reminding them often and pointing out these types of cars on the
road. Whether playing inside or out, it’s always a smart idea to teach
children to be very aware of their surroundings at all times.
Sheryl Juber, aquatics manager, Portland Parks & Recreation
There’s no faster way to put a small child in danger than to leave him
unattended near a swimming pool. Since every second counts, always look
for a missing child in the pool first. Precious time is often wasted
looking for missing children anywhere but in the pool. Don’t add fuel to
the proverbial fire by leaving toys and floats in the pool that can
attract young children and cause them to fall in the water as they reach
out for them.
Perhaps just as important as preventing disaster is being prepared in
case disaster strikes. Always be prepared for an emergency by having
rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Be you and your child’s own
first line of defense by ensuring that every person in your household
who is capable learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) — stat! — and
make it a priority to give your child swim lessons.
Officer Mills, Portland-area police officer
One of the scariest moments in a parent’s life can be the moment they
realize that their child is nowhere in sight. Remain calm, because in
most cases, children haven’t strayed far. First, check inside your home.
Believe it or not, children are often at home in another room or hiding
in a discrete location without your knowledge. In living communities
like apartment complexes, children may momentarily step inside a
neighboring friend’s apartment without telling you. Get to know the
neighbors in your complex or community, and set ground rules with your
kids that specify which apartments they can enter and which they cannot.
Remain in one place while kids are out playing — don’t step out to the
grocery store or even go check the mail if it’s not located within sight
of your home — conversely, one of the scariest moments in a child’s
life can be the moment he realizes his parent is missing.
Kelly Simpson, environmental education, Portland Parks & Recreation
As strange as it sounds, avoid indoor air. The air you breathe inside
your home can have two to five times more pollutants than the air
outdoors. Furniture, paint, pressed wood products, cleaning agents, and
air conditioning can all be sources of nasty air that can cause a range
of sickness and health problems, including long-lasting illnesses like
asthma. The short of it: don’t spend your summer cooped up inside! Head
to a local park, where tall trees provide cool shade and cleaner air.
Betty Alvey, travel agent, Azumano Travel
Ways to dampen your summer vacation? Rain, lost luggage, coming down
with a cold, perhaps, but how often can you blame a volcano eruption for
coming in between you and the sandy beaches of Europe? Guard against
the unknown, and the seriously unexpected, by purchasing travel
insurance, especially when you are traveling far from home. Travel
insurance is often considered nonessential, but in the event of a
natural or weather disaster, it will cover you and your family’s
emergency evacuation back home. Travel insurance, priced from $60 to
$150 per adult over the age of 17 (under 17 is covered at no additional
cost), will also cover annoyances like lost or stolen personal items,
medication or medical treatment, and a change of travel plans if an
immediate family member back home become ill. For the price of a
one-hour massage at your resort, you can remain relaxed, with peace of
mind.
Julie Arnold, camping expert, U.S. Outdoor Store
From waterfalls and beaches to lakes and mountains, the Northwest truly
has it all for outdoor adventure seekers. But don’t let Mother Nature’s
beauty fool you: she can be moody and unforgiving. Help kids take charge
of their own outdoor safety by teaching them the importance of safety
as the part of higher risk activities. Always take the “ten essentials”
on every hike, even if just going out for a few hours, especially if
it’s your first trip to that location. These include navigation, sun
protection and lip balm, extra clothing, a flashlight or headlamp with a
strobe feature, first-aid supplies, waterproof matches or a lighter,
repair kit or multi-tool, extra food and water, and emergency shelter
such as a light-weight, packable tarp and twine. Quick tip:
Tape extra batteries to the strap on your headlamp or flashlight, so
you don’t have to fumble around in the dark to find your spare.
Ellen Waters, community center supervisor, Portland Parks & Recreation
The number-one way to rain on a kid’s summertime parade? A broken bone
wrapped in a sweaty cast! Contrary to your parental instinct, don’t
slide down a playground slide with young children on your lap. But, if
you must, be sure their little legs and feet are elevated above yours so
they won’t catch on the slide. Sliding with adults is all fun and games
until your tot’s foot catches on the slide, which combines with adult
weight behind him to keep him moving, and he ends up spending the summer
watching cartoons from the couch.
Ken Ristau, general manager, Portland Rock Gym
Let’s be real, Northwest summers can often let in some rain and chilly
temperatures from time to time. When enjoying the great outdoors this
summer, staying warm and dry is a must for optimal health and safety no
matter your age. Though avoiding getting wet is your goal, the
unexpected can occur and it’s best to be prepared . . . and dry.
Synthetic materials stay warmer than natural fibers when wet, so always
opt for a lightweight rain parka rather than a cotton sweatshirt. If
heading out to rough it with nature for an overnight wilderness trip,
sandwich your sleeping bag between stuff sacks, with a plastic liner
between each layer. The stuff sacks will prevent the plastic from
tearing and will keep your sleeping bag from getting soggy in even the
wettest conditions. Instead of a fancy ground cloth for your tent, which
can trap water between the tarp and tent, use a plastic liner inside
your tent. Any water that seeps through the floor will be stopped by the
liner.
Ali Ryan, ParkScan coordinator, Portland Parks & Recreation
The ParkScan program isn’t a social media site set up for your teenage
daughter to check out the cuties on the boys summer baseball team, it’s
an online reporting system introduced by our local parks to allow park
users to report problems instantly. Portland’s 250+ parks are a great
summer play destination, but it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep them
clean and safe. From swinging to skating, playing safe depends on
having a place that is safe to play in. Keep an eye out for anything
that needs to be cleaned up or repaired, and then simply report it to
www.parkscanpdx.org.
When she’s not writing articles, Erin Griffin can be found spending time with her husband, Ryan, playing soccer, baking, and planning for the arrival of their first child.
Online Resources
- Oregon Safe Kids Coalition
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/safekids/index.shtml - Teen Safe Driving Contact
www.glencoe.com/sites/oregon/teacher/drivereducation/assets/p_teen.html - Portland ParkScan Reporting Program
www.parkscanpdx.org - Your Safe Child; download a 20-page activity booklet to teach kids about safety and abduction
http://www.yoursafechild.com/ - Oregon State Police – Kids Experimenting with Fire Toolkit
http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/HFSC_Teen.shtml
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