Keep Summer Safe: Simple Steps to Prevent Injuries During "Trauma Season"
Summer brings sunshine and endless opportunities for fun, but it’s also a time when safety risks increase dramatically for children. Among pediatric health professionals, May through August is often called “trauma season” due to the sharp rise in unintentional injuries and deaths during these warmer months.
May is recognized nationally as Safe Kids Month, an initiative led by Safe Kids Worldwide to raise awareness about common summertime dangers and equip families with strategies to help prevent injuries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. In the summer, emergency departments see a significant increase in visits related to drowning, bicycle crashes, heatstroke, falls, burns, and vehicle-related accidents. Many of these injuries are preventable.
Top Summer Safety Risks for Children
1. Drowning
Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 4. It can happen quickly and silently, even in shallow water.
Safety tips:
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Always supervise children near water, even if they know how to swim.
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Use life jackets when boating or near open water.
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Enroll children in age-appropriate swim lessons.
(Learn more)
2. Vehicular Heatstroke
On average, 39 children die each year from heatstroke after being left in a hot car, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Safety tips:
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Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, not even for a minute.
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Keep car doors locked and keys out of reach to prevent children from climbing inside.
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Place a reminder item (like a purse or phone) in the back seat.
3. Bicycle and Pedestrian Injuries
Biking is a popular summer activity, but each year, nearly 26,000 children are treated in emergency departments for bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries.
Safety tips:
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Always wear a properly fitted helmet.
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Teach children to ride with traffic and follow all road signs and signals.
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Supervise young children and choose safe riding paths, such as sidewalks or trails.
(Bicycle safety tips)
4. Playground and Sports Injuries
Falls are the most common cause of playground injuries. Summer sports can also lead to sprains, fractures, and concussions.
Safety tips:
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Inspect playground equipment before use.
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Encourage hydration and stretching before sports.
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Make sure children wear appropriate protective gear.
(Playground safety info)
5. Sunburn and Heat Illness
Children are more vulnerable to heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Safety tips:
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Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every two hours.
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Offer water frequently during outdoor play.
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Schedule outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.
(Sun safety for kids)
Keeping kids safe during the summer takes community awareness, caregiver vigilance, and education. At Panda Pediatrics, we are committed to working with families year-round to support their children’s health and that includes preventing injuries before they happen.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to talk to their child’s pediatrician about injury prevention and to visit Safe Kids Worldwide or the CDC’s Child Injury Prevention Center for more tips.
This summer, let’s make safety part of the fun.
The Best Care from Day One
We exist to provide quality and compassionate health care to all children & adolescents in Lawrence and surrounding areas – focusing on integrated, patient-centered care.
As part of the Heartland Community Health Center Family, Panda Pediatrics accepts all patients regardless of income or insurance status.
We’re there when you need us, we have a physician on call 24-hours-a-day and a nurse triage line for all of your questions.
Call (785) 842-4477 to schedule an appointment