Probably you’re rushing about right now trying to coordinate your kids’ red, white, and blue outfits, making sure your potato salad is on point, and that you have enough sparklers for tonight’s big birthday celebration.
But, before you go exhaust yourself and your children in the heat and stay out way past bed time watching the fireworks show, let me talk to you a little bit about safety.
Snore.
I know, you’re safe. You keep your kids safe. Caution in your middle name.
Only there is an awesome giveaway at the end of this post (real talk, so awesome) we all know that in the face of all the flag waving sunshine and wine coolers and fireworks a human can stand with nothing in your belly but chocolate chip cookies and watermelon, you may kinda forget your middle name.
And think instead that it’s FUN, or BARF depending.
Either way, as you head out I want you take some safety tips with you (and enter my car seat giveaway while you’re at it).
Summer Safety Tips for Families
1. Don’t sleep on the sunscreen. Of course you put it on when you left the house this morning at 10am, but did you put it on again at noon? How about at 2? And then again at 4? It’s cloudy? So what, you still need it. Sunscreen should be reapplied approximately every two hours to keep you protected; even more often if you’re swimming or sweating a bunch.
2. Stay hydrated. And no, the fizzy vodka infused drink your bestie just passed you doesn’t count. You need water, girlfriend, especially if you’re drinking alcohol. And, so do your kids, especially if they’re running nutty around the neighbor’s yard while you’re enjoying your mommy juice. Make sure you offer them (and yourself) plenty of water throughout the day.
3. Don’t let your kids light the fireworks.
4. Keep a bucket of water nearby while you light the fireworks. You can’t stomp out every fire with your Toms. Be safe and keep a bucket or a hose within running-in-a-panic distance.
5. Talk to your kids about getting lost. Like, what will they do if they can’t find you in the crowd at the park after the fireworks show ends? You know what you will do, run screaming that someone needs to find your baby keep your wits about you and enlist help, but you need to discuss with them the SOP in the event of a separation. We used to write our cell numbers on our little people’s arms. We also would identify a major landmark nearby (stage, huge rock, concession stand) and tell our kids that if they can’t find us (or a police officer nearby) stand by the big hot dog stand and we will come there for them.
6. Don’t poison your guests. Food poisoning is no joke. Like you will wish yourself dead if you get it. Improper food handling can easily happen in the summer heat. Wash your mitts before you prep food, be sure to keep it refrigerated if it is perishable, and don’t leave it sitting out for hours (not more than 2 and not more than 1 if it’s super hot day). Also, check out this helpful site for some safe grilling tips.
7. Bathe in bug spray. Okay, you don’t have to bathe in it, but you might wanna spray some on to keep the creepy crawlies away. Not down with the Deet? We like this California Baby Bug Repellant Spray
8. Travel safely. Buckle up an make sure your child is in a car seat as the law requires. In my state, children have to be in a car seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9, so we are happily still carting Dude 3 around town in one.
9. Make sure your car seat is right. Having the kid in the car seat isn’t the end of it. You need to make sure you select one that’s appropriate for your child and that you install it properly in your ride. Safety 1st, leaders in car seat safety innovation, have a few tips for parents:
- When shopping for a new seat, take your child and you car to the store to check fit.
- Go to a certified car seat technician to ensure your seat is installed properly.
- Read. The. Manual.
- Make sure your child remains rear facing until age 2.
- Ensure baby’s head is 2 inches below top of seat, that harness straps are in the slots BELOW your child’s shoulders, and that the chest clip of the 5-point harness is at your baby’s armpits.
10. Enter my Safety 1st car seat giveaway!
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