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For immediate release: June 13, 2007

Contacts:
Mary Borges, Safe Kids Washington Coordinator 360-236-2861
Allison Cook, Communications Office 360-236-4022

Outdoor injury prevention starts in your own backyard
Safe Kids Washington offers backyard safety tips for summer

OLYMPIA ¾ Five major child injury hazards — motor vehicles, drowning, burns, falls and poison — can be found in your backyard.

As the weather turns warm and families spend more time outdoors, remember safety on every outing. Riding lawn mowers, inflatable pools, home playground equipment and even natural vegetation and sunlight require a few simple precautions.

"All of the safety guidelines you apply to sports, playgrounds and swimming apply to those activities in your own backyard," said Mary Borges, child injury prevention specialist for the state Department of Health. "An inflatable pool needs to be surrounded by a fence, just like any other pool. A home playground needs to be anchored on an appropriate surface just like equipment on a public playground."

Kiddie pools should be emptied when not in use. These pools are just as dangerous to small children as full-size pools — a child can drown in only a few inches of water.

Safe Kids Washington recommends these guidelines for activities in the backyard:

  • Treat a riding mower like any other motor vehicle. Keep ignition keys out of reach and look around before backing up. Never carry children as passengers on a lawnmower; children should stay inside when a mower or other power equipment is being used.
  • Remove potential poisons from your yard, including poisonous plants, pesticides and pool chemicals. Teach kids not to touch or eat any part of a plant unless you know it is safe.
  • Keep children away from the barbeque grill while preheating, cooking and while the grill is cooling.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully on insect repellent. Apply it to your child’s clothing and exposed skin. (Contact your pediatrician if you have questions about the instructions.)
  • Teach children not to disturb or feed any wild animals — no matter how harmless the animals may seem.
  • Apply sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher to your child’s exposed skin. Apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside and reapply frequently. It is possible to get a sunburn in cloudy weather.
  • Make sure your child drinks plenty of water. A child who seems tired or achy should rest in the shade or go inside for a while. Get immediate medical attention if your child’s skin is hot to the touch (with or without perspiration), if they have a seizure or become disoriented in hot weather.
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    Check out other safety tips and get updated information on several health topics by visiting the Department of Health home page (www.doh.wa.gov).

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