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| | SAFE SUMMER FUN FOR KIDS Childproofing outdoor areas to protect children Summer activities are a favorite among young children, from playing on swings to swimming in cool water. But spending more time outside near garages, pools, lakes, and playground equipment can increase a child's risk of injury.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 2.5 million children are injured around their homes every year. To help parents and caregivers protect kids from potential dangers and reduce accidents this summer, First 5 Tulare County offers the following tips on childproofing outdoor areas.
By the Water
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that drowning is the second leading cause of death for children. Be water wise around pools, lakes, ponds, and the ocean! - Don't rely on flotation devices like life vests or floating baby seats to keep kids safe, as these can shift position, lose air, or slip out from under a child.
- Install a fence or wall that's at least four feet high around pools with a self-latching gate that kids can't reach. Keep the pool gate closed at all times.
On the Playground
Before letting your child climb on play equipment in your backyard or a public playground, scan the area for potential safety hazards. - Check the equipment for rusted parts and loose splinters that can pinch a child's skin.
- Look under swings, slides, and play structures. Ideally, there should be wood chips, sand or rubber mats to help break a child's fall.
- Touch the equipment to make sure it's not too hot to play on.
Around the Garage
Garages are often used to store lawn chemicals, gardening tools, and other items that are dangerous for young children. - Keep pesticides, fertilizer, lighter fluid, and sharp objects like nails and screws in locked cabinets or high above the reach of curious little hands.
- When mowing the lawn, keep kids inside the house or at a safe distance so that they don't get hurt by flying objects such as sticks or rocks. Never let children push a lawn mower with you.
Remember to always supervise children when they are playing outdoors. Summer provides great opportunities for kids to explore and stay active, but keep safety in mind first!
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| | Why we do what we do:
The children of Tulare County will thrive in supportive environments and enter school healthy and ready to learn, so that they may become productive members of our community. | |
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| | What we are here for:
First 5 Tulare County will enhance the early development of Tulare County’s children by providing direct services, funding partner organizations, and participating in an integrated system of care serving children prenatal through age five and their families without regard to income. | |
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| | Our Strategic Plan, developed by the community, for the community, serves as a roadmap for achieving successful outcomes for children and families in Tulare County. It assures us that our efforts will help us accomplish our mission and the primary results we value.
Through an annual evaluation of our efforts, First 5 Tulare determines how well a Proposition 10 funded program is performing and if the services are improving the lives of children and their families. All funded programs participate in the evaluation of both process and outcome measures. Those results are reported to First 5 California and our community annually and to the Commission more frequently. | |
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| | | Programs, activities, and services provided or funded by First 5 Tulare County will move our community toward the following results: | | | | | I. | Children will be mentally and physically healthy | | II. | Children will be ready for school | | III. | Families will have the knowledge and ability to promote their children's development | | IV. | Services will be culturally appropriate, integrated, and collaborative |
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Order your free English or Spanish Kit for New Parents -- click here!
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| | The Kit for New Parents is an outreach program that offers comprehensive resources to parents of newborns throughout Tulare County. Initiated by First 5 California, the Kit provides practical advice from prominent child development experts on a wide range of topics and includes a series of DVDs, parenting brochures, a baby book and a resource guide to connect parents with local resources. | |
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