POLLY'S GUIDE TO A SAFE SUMMER

1. Young children should always be supervised when you are near any body of water, whether it's a river, lake, pond, pool, spa, or bath. An adult or lifeguard should be on the premises or in the water with the child.
2. Be sure all pool and spa drains are properly secured. Keep your children away from the drains.
3. Teach your children not to run around the pool. When not using the pool, be sure to remove all toys and secure the pool. Teach your children to swim.
4. Life jackets should be worn at all times when on a boat.
5. When bicycling, make sure your child has protective gear, including a helmet, pads, gloves, and proper shoes. Rollerblade in skating arenas, rollerblading parks, or in areas away from cars and pedestrians.
6. Avoid heatstroke by drinking lots of fluids. Use spray bottle water to cool off. Wear a sun visor, sunblock, and dark glasses to avoid too much exposure.
7. Always pack a first aid kit when going on trips or camping.
8. When hiking, always go with a group and stay on the trail. When building a campfire, don't get too close to the fire. Don't feed or play with the wild animals. Beware of ticks, and serve healthy foods.
9. Make sure that children do not play in or near the street.
10. Don't let your kids play with fireworks.
11. Children traveling alone on airplanes should be assigned aisle seats. This enables flight attendants to keep an eye on them and ensures that they arrive at their destination safely.