Summertime is in full swing, which means fun family vacations and outdoor activities are on the agenda for many. Although playing outside in the sun and traveling to exciting destinations are wonderful parts of summer break, the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services wants you and your family members to stay safe.

According to The National Safety Council (NSC), a whopping 136,053 people died from unintentional-injury-related deaths in 2014. Many of these deaths happened in the most common of places- at home, on the road, during a vacation, etc.

This month is National Safety Month and we invite you to join Florida Network in practicing safety both in and out of the home! The NSC provides a large collection of resources with tools and tips on how to stay safe. Below are some of our favorite tips and practices to help you stay #SafeForLife!

Safety at Home

In order to ensure your little one is safe and sound from possible injury or danger, take the time to childproof your home. In order to create a safe home, parents or guardians must learn the high-risk zones:

  • Water: in the bathroom, kitchen, swimming pools or hot tubs
  • Heat or flame: in the kitchen, in the fireplace or at a barbeque grill
  • Toxic substance: under the kitchen sink, in the medicine cabinet, in the garage or garden shed, in a purse or other place where medications are stored
  • Potential for a fall: on stairs, slippery floors, from high windows or from tipping furniture

These areas are where potential injuries lurk. However, it is easy to make your home safe by simply being prepared. Watch children at all times and learn first-aid. Set your home up for success by keeping choking hazards out of reach, installing outlet covers and edge bumpers, locking cabinets and windows and so forth. Visit the NSC website for more childproofing tips.

Safety at the Playground

Playgrounds aren’t all fun and games. Nearly 80 percent of playground injuries are caused by falls, according to NSC. To keep your child safe, there are a number of playground hazards you should watch out for, including:

  • Improper protective surfaces
  • Overcrowding
  • Sharp edges or equipment
  • Platforms with no guardrail
  • Lack of playground maintenance

Surveying your local playground for these potential hazards will help you and your kids have a fun and safe time playing outside. Visit the NSC website for more tips on playground safety.

Safety on the Road

Did you know? According to the NSC, a child between the ages of eight and 14 is injured every eight minutes in a car crash? During the summer, many families take road trips and vacations. Next time you and your child are in the car, make sure all safety precautions are being met.

An important safety measure for children is car seats. All 50 states require child seats with specific criteria. Review your state’s car seat safety laws and read up on car safety for children today.

As always, Florida Network would like to remind you not to drive while distracted. In order to stay #SafeForLife, we challenge you to follow the “5 to Drive” rules:

  • No cell phones while driving
  • No extra passengers
  • No speeding
  • No alcohol
  • No driving or riding without a seat belt.

Practicing safety is an important part of every day life, but its doesn’t have to be hard! Thanks to the NSC, we have plenty of tips, tricks and tools to help us stay safe all year round. Visit their website for more information on National Safety Month.

Florida Network of Youth and Family Services will be celebrating safety and learning how to be #SafeForLife this month. Will you?