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It’s summer — and a great time for families to spend fun days in the sun! Just remember to use extra caution with kids around water and cars to prevent tragedy — especially as we transition to summer and our schedules change.
Holly Menino sits down with Jessica Strong, Community Health Manager at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, in this week’s Baby Your Baby Podcast. They discuss three of the most dangerous ways kids can be injured during the summer and give tips on how to avoid a tragedy.
Water Safety
In Utah, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under age 14.
Teach your children to swim and always supervise them around water.
Use extra caution and care to supervise children near lakes, rivers and streams.
Water at any depth can be hazardous.
Prevent Heatstroke: Never Leave A Child Alone in a Vehicle
About 40 children across the country die each year after being left in a hot vehicle. Of these fatalities, 87 percent are children ages 3 years and younger.
Never leave your child alone in a vehicle – even for a few minutes. A child’s body temperature can increase 3-5 times faster than an adult’s.
Keep a visual reminder that a child is with you.
- Place a stuffed animal or diaper bag in the seat next to you
- Place something you will need when you arrive at your destination in the back seat, like a cell phone or purse
- Order your free Baby Safety Snap at PrimaryChildrens.org/safetysnap.
If you see a child left alone in a car, contact the police or call 911.
Spot the Tot
During warm weather months, Utah children are at increased risk for being accidentally run over by a vehicle in a driveway or parking lot, most often by a parent or caregiver.
Prevent injury by doing these three things:
- Walk completely around the car before getting in to drive
- Eliminate distractions (put phone away, turn off music)
- Roll down windows and listen before backing up
Additional Information & Resources:
-Visit primarychildren’s.org/safety for more tips on how to keep kids safe this summer.
-Primary Children’s “Hold On To Dear Life” Water Safety PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vuSAzkBkwk&list=PL84577120D5FE83BE&index=20
-Child Backovers: National Data can be found here https://www.kidsandcars.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/backover-19-map.pdf
-Kids and Cars safety information: https://www.kidsandcars.org/
The Baby Your Baby program provides many resources for all pregnant women and new moms in Utah. There is also expert advice from the Utah Department of Health and Intermountain Healthcare that air each week on KUTV 2News.