Adults and children alike appreciate summer for its parades, picnics, fireworks, and abundance of exciting outdoor activities. From s’mores by the campfire to trips to the beach to endless hours in the treehouse, summer holds some of our fondest memories.
But summer is also a season of increased injuries. That’s because kids are out, about, excited, and sometimes unsupervised. It’s easy for children to take risks or make mistakes because they don’t have the experience and awareness of an adult. Plus, summer activities and events often include new and unique hazards. That’s why summer safety measures are essential to help your family make the most of this special season.
Summer Safety Statistics
In 2022, over 1 million children were taken to the ER between the months of June and August due to injuries related to “summertime products.” In the analysis, summertime products included playground apparatus, trampolines, bicycles, and swimming pools.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS):
- Children visiting the ER increased by 14% from 2021 to 2022
- Injuries from diving boards rose 72% from 2021 to 2022
- Swimming pool slide injuries rose 49% from 2021 to 2022
- Children’s injuries from treehouses, camping equipment, and lighter fluid increased notably from 2021 to 2022
Summer is full of unique activities and events that help bring families together for sun and fun. But an injury can sideline a kiddo for the entire summer season. With a little preventative planning and a careful eye on safety, you can help make this summer your best one yet.
Lake & Boat Safety
For many families, it wouldn’t be summer without a trip (or ten) to the lake. These excursions can include activities like boating, water skiing, swimming, jet ski riding, and more. Unfortunately, many of these activities come with an increased level of risk. To further complicate things, boating, and drinking alcohol go hand-in-hand for some folks, making them a high risk to other boaters and lake goers.
Sadly, several popular lakes in the Dallas area have a hazardous history:
- According to state records, 15 people have died at Cedar Creek Lake in boating accidents
- Joe Pool Lake recorded 14 drownings between 2000 and 2015
- Between 1995 and 2000, Lewisville Lake had 7 boating-related deaths, 37 accidents, 24 injuries, and 21 other water fatalities.
To keep your family safe in and around the lake, always observe the following:
- Do not mix alcohol and boating
- Make sure everyone wears a life jacket – 83% of drowning victims were not wearing a life vest
- Arrange for anyone driving the boat to complete a boating safety course
- Give the cell phone a rest – think of driving a boat like you would driving a car
- Check the weather forecast before going boating
- Remember, drowning is usually quick and silent; look for a head tilted backward gasping for air, or someone trying to grab for the side of a boat or a floating object
- Don’t let anyone go out on the water alone
- Assign a “spotter” at all times: someone who looks out for other boats, people, and watercraft
Our Personal Injury Lawyers Are Ready to Help
GreeningLaw, P.C. is ready to fight for justice for your loved one if they were injured due to someone else’s negligence. As one of the most recognized personal injury law firms in Texas, we have experience and expertise in holding negligent and reckless parties accountable. We treat each case with the same dedication we would extend to our own family, ensuring our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Contact us 24/7 to schedule a free consultation. In that consultation, we will ask about details surrounding your case, discuss possible compensation you may receive, and suggest the best course of action. And, because our attorneys work on a contingency basis, you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
Stay safe this summer!