Enjoying nature and the great outdoors with the whole family is an exciting and fun time. It’s a time for bonding, learning and an opportunity to create memories that can have a lasting impression. However like a lot of things in life it comes with a few elements of risk. Nonetheless taking simple precautions and making smart, wise decisions can greatly reduce the chance for risk. Following these easy and simple tips for the back yard or your favorite park can help make spending time with your family in the out-of-doors more fun, relaxing and much safer.

1.      Always have cool clothing on hand, and dress appropriately for the conditions.

2.      Try to keep children out of the sun during the hottest time of the day. Good times to play outside in summer are from 9-11 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.

3.      When at home and even at the park, check all outside toys and play structures for loose or missing parts. Also check for unwanted debris. In your backyard you should perform regular cleanings of toys & play structures with eco-friendly cleaner, a scrubby sponge, & a spray hose.

4.      Check trees with low large limbs for splits which could fall if pulled on. When  picnicking check the trees as well for branches and limbs that could be of risk to you or others. If you think a tree should be looked at, locate a park ranger.  

5.      Fill water bottles ¾ full the night before and freeze. Make a name label to put on your water bottles. Place the bottles in a box or on a tray outside and drink lots of water throughout the day to keep yourself well hydrated. Also encourage your children to drink 2-4 bottles of water each day.

6.      If having trouble getting your children to drink water, add some lemon or orange slices or make kool-aid or juice ice cubes to add to drinking water. Also try serving fruit smoothies, milkshakes or POPSICLES!

7.      If your not allergic, you should coat yourself and your children well with Sunscreen. Let it soak in at least 20 minutes before entering water to allow your skin to fully absorb the lotion.  

8.      For fun and to help keep your body form over heating, fire up the sprinkler, swim in a pond, lake, river or swimming pool (Always make sure children are always under constant supervision.)

9.      Keep a small first aid kit outdoors on your deck or in a place of easy access. When traveling to a park it’s not a bad idea to have one on your person either.

10.  If you have multiple children, encourage bathroom use before going outdoors to prevent children from being unsupervised. If using a bathroom in a public location like a park, be sure to bring all children into the bathroom with you. This should be done so that constant supervision can be attained.

11.  Create a separate list of outdoor rules for the yard and or park i.e. No one leaves the yard, no climbing on the fence, do not go by water without an adult, don’t talk to strangers, always tell an adult where your going. etc.

12.  If not allergic you should apply bug repellent to keep bugs of and transferable dieses out of you and your children’s system.

13.  If you have your home backyard is sprayed for pests, check to make sure that it is safe for children and pets and confirm what precautions you need to take when the children go outdoors after being sprayed.

14.  If you fertilize your plants or lawn, allow time for the fertilizer to dissolve.

15.  Encourage indoor toys to stay in and outdoor toys to stay out.

16.  Offer fun yet messy activities such as sidewalk chalk, finger-painting and play dough.

17.  Provide safe outdoor activities such as a child friendly play structure, sand box; ride on toys and balls. In your yard you can set up sporting stations with a mini basketball hoop or cones for mini soccer games.

18.  When going on a hike, be sure to bring appropriate gear, maps, compass, first aid, snacks, water. Also be sure to wear appropriate gear, like hiking boots with good ankle support.

19.  Keep a cellular or cordless phone outdoors so you can contact someone in the event of an emergency.

20.  Verse yourself on the local wildlife including plants and animals. Having some knowledge of the wildlife around you can help prevent you from getting into “scratchy situations”. For example, being able to identify poison Ivy is a plus!

21.  When driving in a park always follow the posted speed limit sign. Typically if there is no posted speed limit sign 10mph is usually acceptable.

22.  Always follow and read signage posted in parks and outdoors. They have valuable information that can help protect you against risks. Even if they seem silly, they are posted for a reason.

23.  Water safety is crucial! If you or your children do not know how to swim, be carful around water. When swimming stay within marked off area if any. Don’t jump off of rocks, swings or ropes in areas that are unfamiliar to you. Horse play in water can lead to serious if not fatal injuries.

24.  Always tell someone where you are going, even if you’re an adult!

25.  Enjoy wildlife from a distance. It’s better for you and them.

26.  If camping, don’t keep food in your tent. Make sure to seal it in containers, and then in your car.

27.  If outdoors during bad weather, DO NOT SEEK SHELTER in a Pavilion or under a tree. Your vehicle is your best bet!   

28.  Last but not least, Park Rangers are a great resource for safety knowledge. If talking with a ranger be polite and respectful. If they ask you to do something, just remember they are doing there job.  

Thanks for taking the time to read these simple safety tips. By following these rules, we won’t guarantee you won’t run into risk but it will help to decrease the likelihood you run into risks.

Be safe and have fun this summer: