Helping Your Child Prevent Common Summertime Injuries

For children, summer is full of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and play with friends. Unfortunately, children are often unaware of their own vulnerability and many end up in the emergency room each summer. While there are precautions parents can take to prevent summertime injuries, the emergency room staff of Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center is ready to help in case of accidents.

Playground Injuries

Playgrounds are excellent opportunities for children to be physically active and meet new friends. However, a visit to the playground can also sometimes precede a trip to the emergency room. Children may use the equipment improperly, fall off the equipment, or even fall while running around in the area. One of the most effective ways to protect your child at a playground is to actively supervise him or her. If you sit on a bench nearby, make sure you can see your child at all times. If the playground is divided into areas for younger children and older children, ensure that your youngster is in the appropriate area.

Pool Injuries

When going to the pool or the beach, parental supervision is absolutely critical . It’s best not to rely on a lifeguard to keep your child safe, since the lifeguard will likely need to monitor many other people as well. Enrolling your child in age-appropriate swimming lessons is an effective way to reduce the risk of drowning. Additionally, teach your child never to run by the side of the pool. If you have a pool at home, enclose it with a security fence and locked gate.

It’s always a good idea to know the location of the nearest emergency room, just in case your child does sustain an injury despite taking these precautions. Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center of Thousand Oaks features an emergency room just for kids, with private rooms and PALS certified pediatric ER nurses who provide compassionate care . If your child is experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911; otherwise, you can contact our hospital at (805) 497-2727.