Are you ready to hop in your Ford and head out for adventures in the summer sun? Before you do, there are a few quick safety tips to keep in mind for your adventures around town and on the road. Planet Ford in Spring, Texas is here to help ensure that you and your family stay safe this summer with some great tips.
Staying Cool at the Pool
Enjoying your pool or heading out to the river? Before you go, here are some water safety tips courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Always supervise children when in or around water. A responsible adult should constantly watch young children.
- Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Your CPR skills could save someone’s life. Click here to find your local American Red Cross CPR course.
- Install a fence around home pools.
Recreational boating and river trips can be a fun way to spend time outdoors with friends and family. Make boating safety a priority and be sure to wear a properly fitted life jacket each time you and your loved ones are on the water.
High Heat Index
Did you know that infants and children up to 4 years of age are at the greatest risk for heat-related illnesses? However, nobody is immune. The CDC recommends taking these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses:
- Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
- Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully, for morning and evening hours.
- Stay cool with cool showers or baths.
- Seek medical care immediately if you or your child have symptoms of heat-related illness.
To learn more about summer safety regarding your pets, read more at our blog.
Seek SPF in Summer Sun
Putting the top down is fun, but you need to watch out for the sun! The CDC states that just a few serious sunburns can put you and/or your child at an increased risk for skin cancer later in life. That’s why it’s vital to apply, and reapply, sunscreen to protect you and your child’s skin from the harmful UV rays when enjoying the outdoors. The CDC recommends:
- Cover up. Clothing that covers your and your child’s skin helps protect against UV rays.
- Use sunscreen with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) protection, a.k.a. a broad spectrum sunscreen, each time you and your child go outside.
Fireworks Fun
We all love to enjoy fireworks, but some things are better left to the professionals. However, we realize that many of you may enjoy your own fireworks this summer, so we’re here to give you a few tips on fireworks safety with the National Safety Council. (To read the full list of fireworks safety tips, click here.)
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
- Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.
If you have a furry family member, be sure to read our blog on Summer Pet Safety!
We love our loyal Planet Ford in Spring (serving The Woodlands, Cypress, greater Houston, Aldine, Conroe, Tomball) customers which is why we want to provide you with these tips to keep you and your family safe. Interested in staying safe with a new Ford vehicle? Visit us online or in store and our team will be sure to help you with your needs!