The summer holidays are nearly upon us, and the last thing we want to think about is taking a trip to the ER. The reality is that accidents happen, and if you’re a parent, you probably know all too well that they tend to happen when you least expect them. Scrapes and grazes are part and parcel of growing up, but there are some ways you can reduce the risk of your children being involved in accidents. Here are some top tips to help you avoid the ER this summer.

Preventing common garden accidents

When the sun is shining, and it’s lovely and warm, nothing beats getting out into the garden and spending some quality time with your children. Although the garden can be a wonderful place, it can also be dangerous, especially when you’ve got little ones. 

If you’re keen to make your garden more child-friendly, try and remove slip and trip hazards, keep pathways clear, and ensure that any pools and ponds are cordoned off. If your children are splashing around in the pool make sure they are supervised at all times. If you’ve got steps in the garden, fit a rail for younger children to hold onto. Falls can result in fractures, strains, and sprains, and you don’t want to spend those hazy summer days at an urgent care clinic. If you’ve been gardening, make sure you pick up your tools and tidy away hoses, spades and any chemical products you’ve used. Keep an eye out for problems that may cause injuries, such as cracked paving, uneven decking or broken fence panels. 

Sun safety

If it’s hot outside, make sure your children have sun lotion on. Sunburn can be incredibly uncomfortable for adults, let alone children, and it can cause long-lasting damage to the skin. Children should use high factor creams and lotion should be reapplied on a regular basis. It’s best to stick to shady spots during the hottest part of the day when the sun’s UV rays at are their strongest. If your children are hot and bothered, take them inside for a bit and let them cool down. Ensure that they drink plenty of water. 

Plants and animals

If you have children, it’s wise to think carefully about what you plant in your garden and to try and encourage your children to look rather than touch when it comes to plants and animals. Make sure to use high-quality weed killers to remove any plants that you're kids might trip on. If you're having trouble finding a safe weed killer, you can use Honest Product Reviews as a guide to understand the best products. Bites and stings can be very painful for children, and negative experiences can also cause them to become anxious when they’re around garden critters in the future. Sometimes, it’s impossible to prevent stings, so it’s a good idea to have remedies in your first aid kit. If your child has an allergy to wasp or bee stings, for example, try and use deterrents, and make sure you have medication to hand. 

Every parent wants their child to be able to play safely in the garden when the summer sunshine arrives. It’s often impossible to avoid accidents, but there are certain steps you can take to try and make your garden a safer place. Hopefully, this guide will enable you to enjoy many fun-packed, accident-free days in the fresh air.