Happy Birthday, America!!!!  I hear the fireworks popping, so I know that summer is really here, with lots of time outside for everyone.  I hope the following tips help parents (and other caregivers of young children) keep their little ones safe while having fun at parks, playgrounds or just close to home in the backyard.

• Make sure everyone stays hydrated…children (and adults) are often too busy playing (or working) to realize that they are thirsty…and experts say that we are waiting too long if we are already feeling thirsty.  Take frequent water breaks and make drinking more fun by freezing ice cubes of apple, grape or orange juice and putting  them in your child’s cup of water.
• Protect tender skin from sunburn…remember to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhats when outdoors.
• Closely supervise your child when at a pool…even kiddy pools pose a potential drowning hazard.
• When camping or on a picnic, make sure foods are kept at safe temperatures to inhibit spoilage.