Outdoor Safety: Keeping Kids Safe on Every Adventure

Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, even in shallow water. The most important rule is constant, close supervision: with young or weak swimmers, stay within arm’s reach and keep your phone away. At gatherings, appoint a ‘water watcher’ who does nothing else for a set time, then hands off.

Swim lessons are valuable but don’t make any child drown-proof. Use properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets on boats and in open water. Empty kiddie pools and buckets after use.

Before you enter a busy park, fair or trail, agree on a meeting spot and take a quick photo of your child so you have current clothing on your phone. Bright shirts make kids easy to spot.

Teach your child what to do if they get separated: stop, stay where they are and look for a mom with kids or a staff member in uniform to ask for help. Have young children memorize your phone number or write it on their arm or a wristband.

• On trails, give each child a whistle and teach them three blasts means ‘I need help.’
• Teach the ‘hug a tree’ rule: if lost in the woods, stay put.
• Count heads every time you change locations.

Taking an infant and child CPR and first-aid class is one of the best things a dad can do before summer. For more on planning outings, see parks and outdoor exploration, health and well-being basics and water play.

• Adhesive bandages in several sizes and gauze pads
• Antiseptic wipes and tweezers for splinters or ticks
• Instant cold pack
• Any personal medications, like an allergy auto-injector or inhaler
• Your pediatrician’s number and a list of allergies