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    UL Summer Safety Tips (& Giveaway -4 Winners! Ends 8/9)

    By 54 Comments

    (This is a re-post from last month to include a giveaway!)

    Now that my boys are getting bigger and more active, I am realizing just how important safety is outside. I mean I babyproofed the inside of our house, but I never gave too much thought to outside.

    Well UL (Underwriters Laboratories) who is the leading product safety testing organization has come out with some useful tips to help kids stay safe in the pool and their own backyard. Right now we don’t have a pool, but my parents have one and we may get one in the future, so I was shocked to read that 4,200 people go to the emergency room every year due to pool or spa-related injuries. About a month ago we installed a playset in our backyard and already my kids are like monkeys and daredevils on it. So hearing that more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger go to the emergency room for play set-related injuries didn’t surprise me, but it did alert me.

    POOL SAFETY TIPS


    For a Pool Safety Video for kids featuring Timon and Pumba from Lion King, visit HERE!

    POOL SAFETY AT HOME

    • If you have a pool at home, install a fence. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child’s reach.
    • Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove chairs or ladders from the pool area to prevent children from climbing over the fence that surrounds the pool.
    • Keep grates and drain covers in good repair and secured in place. Alert your family and guests to stay away from these devices, as the suction from drain outlets can be strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, which can potentially cause a person to drown.
    • Make sure you know infant and child CPR if you own a pool.

    BE SAFETY SMART WHILE SWIMMING

    • Supervision is a must. Follow the 10/20 rule when you’re at the pool. The 10/20 rule states the supervising adult needs to position themselves to be able to scan the pool every 10 seconds, and reach the water within 20 seconds.
      • Always have rescue devices, such as UL-LISTED life preservers, nearby.
      • Flotation devices, toys and inflatable swimming aids are not safety devices. They are toys and can easily puncture and deflate.
      • Always drain wading pools after children are done playing. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water.
      • Have a telephone nearby and appropriate emergency numbers posted.
      • Remove all toys when you leave the pool. Toys may attract children to the unattended pool.

    PLAYSET TIPS


    BEFORE INSTALLING A BACKYARD PLAY SET…

    • Make sure your backyard is large enough for playground equipment. The site must also provide good visibility and security. Before setting up equipment, look out for obstacles, such as the garage, tree branches, utility poles and wires.
    • Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions when setting up play set equipment. Be sure your child’s weight and age fall within the manufacturer’s recommended limits for the equipment.
    • Install protective surfacing, such as rubber tiles or mulch under the play set, at least six feed in all directions, to prevent serious injuries should a child fall.

    BEFORE HEADING OUT TO PLAY…

    • Carefully inspect backyard playground equipment. Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed and bolts are not protruding.
    • Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs. These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
    • Always supervise children on play set equipment to make sure they are playing safely.
    • Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play set equipment. If used improperly, they can be potential strangulation hazards.
    • Watch for potential trip hazards, such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings. Make sure you’re children are aware of them as well.
    • Do a sandbox check. Before letting your child dig in, rake through the sand to check for debris or sharp objects. Also, inspect for any animal contamination or insect problems.

    BUY IT: You can buy the Disney’s Wild About Safety with Timon and Pumbaa: Safety Smart in the Water from Amazon for $9.99.

    GIVEAWAY: (4) winners will receive Disney’s Wild About Safety with Timon and Pumbaa: Safety Smart in the Water

    WIN IT:  Leave a Summer Safety Tip!

    Extra Entries (Only valid after you answer Main Entry above and Please leave a comment for each):
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    DVD #GIVEAWAY:“Disney’s Wild About Safety w/ Timon & Pumbaa: Safety Smart in Water” -4 Winners @mamasmoney (Ends 8/9) http://bit.ly/d3W0d5
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    Please leave me a comment for EACH entry and your email address if it is not in your profile for each entry that you complete above so I can accurately pick a winner. This contest ends August 9, 2010. Thanks everyone and good luck! Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you. This contest is only open to US residents and once per household please.

    Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Underwriters Laboratories. Mom Central sent me a gift card and DVD to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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    Comments

    1. playground mulch says

      Right..that’s the real thing that we need to understand first..We should check first if it is safety..and make sure that we use the proper needed of our perfect playground for our kids ..

      Reply

    28. Sandy says

      If you have a driveway invest in an expandable safety fence (like the orange plastic fences that you often see). You just open it when the small kids go outside. It will stop them from chasing a ball or anything into the street … kids don’t always think, even if they know what’s right.

      Reply

    36. Dana says

      Mosquitos are the most active at dawn and dusk so if you’re outside during that time wear a bug repellant.

      Reply

    37. trishden says

      Hello, Well we live in bear country, so we never go out alone and have an air horn close by. Thanks for a great giveaway!

      Reply

    40. Eileen says

      ALWAYS wear a helmet on bikes…but ALSO on scooters, Skateboards, Rollerblades, ect. I see SO many tweens and teens going without thinking they are ONCOOL. So scary!

      thanks much!

      Reply

    46. Jennifer Ruhl says

      children should never be left alone near the water, 20 seconds is enough time for a child to drown and all parents should be equipped with child cpr.

      Reply

    52. SANDY says

      always wear flip flops outside or clogs- never know the heat of the ground as well as might be near a cord plugged in for yardword

      Reply

    54. sarah says

      It’s important to know the level of chlorine in a pool as well, but especially a water park. Children can get sick, or even die from getting bacteria based illnesses from water that is not properly chlorinated.

      Reply

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