The Scary Side of Summer

Eight Hidden Dangers to Watch Out for When School Is Out of Session

Ahh, summer. Here come those lazy days of free time, mall trips, hanging out with friends, summer camp shenanigans, and blissful beach trips. As school winds down and the thermometer begins its sweltering climb, most parents are in the throes of making summer plans for their children. With Tyler heading to soccer camp and Megan signed up for summer camp at the YMCA, you may feel good about the upcoming season. But don't let summer's carefree reputation fool you, says parenting and education expert Dr. Maryln Appelbaum—the season is filled with hidden dangers.

The changing of the guard. During the school year you get to know the teachers and leaders who take care of your children very, very well. In the summer, you may not have that luxury. Kids often transition from one activity to the next in a matter of days, and the people to whom you are entrusting your children's safety change right along with them. Plus, many summer activities are overseen by young people who may not necessarily have the maturity or experience to keep kids safe.

"Do not just assume that because someone is employed by a summer program that you should trust them, no questions asked. Before each new transition, do your research. Ask around—even if it means calling the program and asking for references and qualifications of their employees. There are fewer systems of checks and balances for these programs, and if parents don't hold them accountable, who will?"

Overnight stays. With school out of session and early mornings a distant memory, kids are eager to pack their sleeping bags and stay up all night at a friend's house. Or perhaps they are ready to head off to sleep-away summer camps for days, and even weeks, at a time.

"Don't hesitate to ask as many questions as it takes until you feel satisfied about your child's safety. Ask for background checks or references for camp counselors; call other parents you know and trust to inquire about the parents in charge of this weekend's sleepover—anything to get the information you need. And as uncomfortable as it may be for you, sit your children down and talk to them about the difference between a 'good touch' and a 'bad touch' and that it is okay to tell an adult 'no.' You just can't afford to risk it."

Swimming. Summer and swimming are as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly. Almost any day camp or summer camp your kids participate in will involve some type of water-based activity. That's why, if your child is a land lover and hasn't quite taken to the water yet, now is the time to change it.

"If you have a child who isn't a strong swimmer, or one who is uncomfortable around the water, enroll him in swimming lessons today," warns Appelbaum. "You cannot be totally dependent on the camp counselors and lifeguards to keep your child safe in the water. There will be a lot of children in the water for them to watch over—and unlike you, they won't be focused solely on your child—so it's your responsibility to make sure he or she is a strong and confident swimmer."

Sunburn. You may not realize how much sun exposure your kids are getting during their days at summer camps. Just because Timmy is going to science camp doesn't mean he won't be outside at some point during the day.

"Make lathering on a layer of sunscreen part of your child's morning routine," suggests Appelbaum. "Talk about the importance of keeping skin safe, and encourage children to reapply throughout the day, particularly if they are going to be playing sports or swimming. It is also well within your rights to make a special requests of any counselors or supervisors to ensure your child stays coated in SPF throughout the day."

Injuries. Enrolling kids in outdoor activities and sports camps ups the injury ante considerably and you should be prepared for what hurts may come through your door each evening. Pay close attention to even the smallest injuries. Cuts and scrapes can become infected, and even minor sprains that go untreated can become inflamed and more serious. By taking care to treat the injuries (even the minor ones) from their onset, you decrease the risk of long-lasting effects and increase the fun your kids can have for the rest of the summer.

"If you notice limping or any other symptom, question your child closely. Ask coaches and counselors to keep you in the know. And keep your medicine cabinet stocked with bandages and antibacterial ointment, ice packs and aspirin—and make your kids take a break when they need time to heal."

Dehydration. Kids don't understand the importance of staying hydrated, or the very real dangers of summer heat. It's up to you to make sure that they are ready to wet their whistle in the mid-afternoon sun.
"Water isn't the beverage of choice for most children, so you have to make it more appealing," explains Appelbaum. "At the beginning of the summer, take your children out shopping to pick out their own special water bottle. Make sure that you send them out with it each day, no matter if they are headed to soccer camp or next door to play. Children are very susceptible to dehydration in the hot summer months, so making a point to keep them drinking throughout the day should be a big priority."

Free time. Some of the biggest joys of summer revolve around what kids don't have to do: no homework, no band practice, no SCHOOL. But the resulting vacuum of unoccupied time forces kids to find other ways to fill it, which means more work for parents on the watchdog front. If your kids are eager to grab the remote, or the laptop, XBOX, or cell phone, it means that you will have to be at the top of your guardian game. Along with the glories of technology come the dangers of your children being exposed to things you can't control: websites and online predators, mature television shows, and violent video games. Appelbaum says that preventive action is a must.

"Make a list of potential techno-dangers and create a plan of action," she suggests. "Install software on your computer that limits the Internet sites your children are allowed to access. Use parental monitors on your televisions to limit their exposure to inappropriate shows and movies. And if you've allowed your kids to have a cell phone, particularly one with texting capabilities, set up some strict ground rules and monitor their usage each day. Check their texting log every morning and evening. It's a reality of modern life that kids can get into serious trouble even when they're right in the next room."

Peer pressure. Summer comes with less structure and more freedom, especially for older kids, and along with that freedom comes more opportunity to get into trouble. Perhaps your child is with a whole different set of friends (whose parents you may not know), and chances are good that even the most reputable summer camp or day camp program has one or two "rebels" in its midst who want to break the rules. And no matter how careful you've been to teach your child the difference between right and wrong, you can never underestimate the power of peer pressure.

Of course, all the precautions in the world can't replace that small inner voice of parental instinct, says Appelbaum.

"If something doesn't feel quite right, it probably isn't," she notes. "Trust your parental radar. You can keep it honed by staying in close contact with all the caregivers in your children's life, getting to know their friends, carefully watching their behavior, and always, always, always keeping the lines of communication open. There's no better safety net for your children than you—and you can and will make this the best, safest summer your family has ever had."