Parents know well the challenges of keeping young people active and engaged during the summertime.

“Summer should be all about fun in the sun,” writes Rob Gabriele with SafeHome.org. But during the summer of 2023, “nearly 200,000 children suffered injuries that sent them to local emergency rooms (ER). These injuries were caused by products we love to enjoy in the summertime, like pools, bikes, fishing tools, and playground equipment.”

No one wants kids to get hurt. It follows that personal property with a higher chance of causing injuries also can be pricey to insure.

Consider swimming pools. Property owners with a pool can expect higher insurance premiums because pools present a higher liability risk, the Zebra reports. Pools also can become damaged easily. It follows that insurance carriers require swimming pools to have a lockable fence and other safety provisions.

It’s important for home and property owners to note that they can be liable for any injury that occurs on their property.

Kids’ summertime safety

SafeHome.org analyzed data from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to reveal what summer activities can be riskiest for kids and the products commonly linked to those injuries.

The slideshow above illustrates the types of property commonly linked to injuries and fatalities, according to SafeHome.org.

Here are the organization’s top tips for keeping kids safe this summer:

  • Keep young children under age six off of trampolines.
  • Use specially designed toddler swings with leg openings, which are more secure than regular swings.
  • Install sturdy ladders with handrails for safe entry and exit from above-ground swimming pools.
  • Remove or secure ladders when the pool is not in use to prevent unsupervised access.
  • Keep toddlers away from pools and other water without close supervision.
  • Provide swimming lessons and enforce strict water safety rules.
  • Teach children proper diving techniques.
  • Only allow diving in deep water. 
  • If you have teens who help maintain the pool, teach them how to safely handle chlorine or other chemicals.
  • Keep pool chemicals locked away and out of childrens' reach. 
  • Closely supervise children in or around portable pools.
  • Encourage using helmets and other protective gear while riding bicycles.
  • Teach children about traffic safety while riding their bikes.
  • Supervise playtime on trampolines and playground equipment.
  • Discuss safe fishing practices, such as how to carefully handle knives and fishing hooks and boating and water safety.
  • Remind children to pay attention to their surroundings while flying kites and to stop and stand in place if they want to admire their kites in the sky.
  • When teens use lawn mowers, provide thorough instruction on proper usage, emphasizing the importance of safety gear like goggles or gloves, and supervising them until they demonstrate competence.
  • Hot tub lids should be closed and secured when not in use to prevent kids from getting in without supervision.
  • To reduce slips, install non-slip mats surrounding the spa, remind kids to pay attention, and be cautious when climbing in or out.

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