The ABCs of Summer Safety

July 2, 2025|Jennifer Hockenbury

Summer is a season full of opportunities for family fun and lasting memories. This blog post is dedicated to helping your family stay safe while having fun in the sun!

1. Fireworks Tips, with the 4^th of July Just Around The Corner

Never let kids handle fireworks.
Light just one at a time, then back off.
Keep water/a hose on standby.
Douse duds. Don’t relight them.
Sparklers burn >1,000°F, which is unsafe for little hands and eyes.

2. Grill/Bonfire Caution

Create a three-foot “no kids zone” around grills and fire pits.
Keep fire extinguishing tools nearby.
Extinguish fully. Even hot coals can burn after 24-48 hours.

3. Water Safety Matters

Appoint a “water watcher” and rotate every 15-30 minutes.
No distractions, no phones, and no chatting while supervising.
"Floaties" are not a replacement for life jackets and are not designed to prevent drowning. They can give parents and children a false sense of security.
Wear life jackets on boats, around all freshwater/lakes, and during water sports.
Never allow a jet ski to trail behind a boat that is pulling a tube.

4. Sun & Hydration

Apply “Broad-Spectrum” SPF 30+ (reapply every two hours and after swimming).
- Avoid oxybenzone if possible; choose zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead, as the FDA recognizes these ingredients as safe and effective.
- 20% zinc oxide ingredient in sunscreen provides ideal protection.
Infants should wear hats and long sleeves and stay in the shade as much as possible.
For infants younger than six months, apply a small amount of sunscreen on small areas of the body that are uncovered, such as the face. For those older than six months, apply to all areas of the body. Sun shirts and hats should not replace sunscreen for children old enough to use it.
Drink plenty of water and watch for heat-related symptoms: skin redness, vomiting, dizziness, acting funny or disoriented. Seek medical attention if these occur.

5. The Buzz About Bug Spray

Infants older than two months can use products with 10-30% DEET. Duration of effect varies (e.g., 10% protects for two hours whereas 30% protects for five hours).
Kids older than two months can also use DEET alternatives:
- Picardin 5-10% concentration is a safe bug repellent that is less greasy.
- Ingredient IR3535 at 20% is also a safe bug repellent.
Wash off repellents when returning indoors.
Avoid products with combination sunscreen/insect repellent — insect repellent should be applied once daily while sunscreen should be reapplied.
Apply sunscreen first, then bug spray on top
Adults should spray onto their hands then apply to the child’s face so the product doesn’t get in their eyes.
If needing to soothe a bug bite, you can try:
- 1% hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl cream, calamine lotion
- Oral Zyrtec/cetirizine
- Bug bite patches that are chemical free
- Ice packs to the bite if the child can tolerate

Links for child-friendly products on Amazon:

References:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023, May 30). Summer safety tips: Staying safe outdoors. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Summer-Safety-Tips-Staying-Safe-Outdoors.aspx

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023, July 18). What’s the best way to protect kids’ skin from sunburn? HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/whats-the-best-way-to-protect-kids-skin-from-sunburn.asp

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avoid bug bites. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites

Sophie J. Balk; Sun Protection. Pediatr Rev April 2023; 44 (4): 236–239.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Find the repellent that is right for you. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you#search%20tool