Keep kids safe this summer

ATLANTA — Open the doors and let your kids jump, pedal and splash into summer.

But don't forget safety gear — helmets, elbow pads and water bottles.

And above everything else, doctors say, keep an eye on your kids.

"A lot of outdoor activities we associate with summer can be dangerous," said Dr. Brad Weselman, a pediatrician at Decatur Snapfinger Woods Pediatrics. "Swimming is a big part of summer, but it's also a leading cause of accidental death of kids. Supervision is key."

Weselman said parents tend to let their guard down when kids are close to home. They let their children do things like allow them to skip the helmet while biking around their subdivision. Parents, he said, need to insist on the same level of precautions whether their kids are skateboarding in the city or neighborhood streets.

With many kids resisting putting on safety gear, doctors suggest parents talk to their children about their importance.

"I joke with the kids, 'What's more uncool, to have giant bleeding scrapes on your knees or a kneepad so you don't get hurt?'" he said.

And while wearing a helmet when biking can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, parents need to also make sure it's worn right to work right.

Here are some tips for a safe and healthy summer:

— Make sure your child is wearing his helmet properly: It should be worn flat atop the head, not tilted back at an angle. Make sure it fits snugly and that the buckle stays fastened so that it doesn't obstruct the child's field of vision.

— Watch your children at the pool: For children under 5, drownings are a leading cause of accidental death. Closely supervise your young children in the pool. Don't talk on the phone or peruse a magazine.

— Drink plenty of liquids: Have your children drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion. Make sure they have water accessible at all times. (If your child has muscle cramps, that's a sign they need more water.) And doctors urge parents not to substitute water with sports drinks, which contain sugar and salt. Plain water, doctors say, is a better choice.

— Wear sunscreen: Make sure your child is wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.