Summer Safety for Kids: A Pediatrician’s Guide to Outdoor Adventures

When I think about summer, there’s a magic about longer days, warm sunshine, messy hands, and kids running wild. Whether your family enjoys hiking, splashing in the pool, camping, or simply relaxing at the local park, summer offers valuable time to get outside and connect with nature and each other.

But with outdoor play comes a need for extra attention to safety. As a pediatrician, I’ve seen how quickly fun can take a turn without the right safety steps. The goal isn’t to bubble-wrap our kids, cause added anxiety, or take the spontaneity out of summer but to help families feel confident and prepared. With a little planning and preparation, your outdoor adventures can be both joyful and safe.

Here’s what every parent, caregiver, or outdoor enthusiast should know before heading into the summer season with kids in tow.

a child wearing an orange life vest holds a thumbs up, smiling while floating in water

Water Safety: Awareness, Supervision, and Strong Habits

Water play is one of the highlights of summer and also one of the most important areas where safety matters. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 4. Even older children and good swimmers can get hurt in water, especially in open water like lakes or rivers.

• Supervise. Supervise. Supervise. Have one adult watch the kids. Adults should avoid distractions like phones or long conversations while children are swimming. For young children, this means staying within arm’s reach any time they are in or around water. 
• Life Jackets. Near open water or on a boat, a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket is a must for kids. Water wings, floaties, and pool noodles are not safety devices and should never replace life jackets and active supervision.
• Fenced Pools. Home pools have their own risks. Make sure that yours has a full fence with a self-latching gate to prevent unsupervised access. 
• Swim Lessons. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting swim instruction around age 1. These lessons teach important life skills, build confidence, and reduce the risk of drowning.
  
  While parent and infant swim classes (for infants younger than 1 year old) can be fun and a good way to expose little ones to water activities, there is currently no evidence that these swim lessons for this age reduce drowning risk. Starting at 1 year old is fine.

A mother in front of a child at the beach

Sun Safety: Protecting Skin from UV Damage

Because children have more skin surface area than adults, their skin is more sensitive than adults and are at greater risk for sunburns and skin damage.

• Sunscreen: Sunscreen is recommended for all children starting at 6 months of age. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher 15 minutes before sun exposure and don’t forget to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
  
  Wondering if there’s a difference between baby sunscreen and regular sunscreen? In general, you can use them interchangeably, though according to the American Academy of Dermatology, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide based sunscreens (often thought of as mineral based sunscreens) can be less irritating to the skin.
  
  For babies under 6 months, include physical barriers such as shade, protective clothing, wide-brim hats, and minimizing direct sun exposure. Sunscreen can be used but sparingly and only when shade or protective clothing isn’t available.
  
  
• Proper clothing. Sunglasses, wide brim hats and lightweight, long-sleeved UPF labeled clothing can offer additional sun protection without overheating. Then get out your camera because babies and kids with sunglasses are just the cutest. 

Encouraging children to take play breaks in the shade, especially during peak UV hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m can minimize the risk of sun damage but also to protect from the heat as I’ll get to below.

Sun safety isn’t just for bright sunny days. Even on cloudy days, UV rays can reach the skin. Make sun protection a part of your family’s outdoor routine, just like bike helmets and packing all the snacks.

Heat Safety: Recognizing Signs Before They Become Emergencies

Young children are more prone to overheating than adults. Their bodies produce more heat during activity, and they sweat less, meaning that they don’t cool down as efficiently.

• Plan activities for cooler times of the day. If you’re planning a hike, nature walk, or playdate, try to schedule it in the morning or early evening when temperatures are lower.
• Have frequent water breaks. Give kids water throughout the whole day even if they say they are not thirsty. 
• Take breaks in the shade. Use physical cooling mechanisms like cool towels or even breaks indoors if it is that hot.

Do not leave kids in cars

One of the most dangerous and preventable heat-related risks is leaving a child in a car. In just a few minutes, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly even with the windows cracked. Sadly, year after year, children die from heatstroke after being left in cars, often unintentionally. Always check the back seat before locking your car. Never leave them behind.

Recognize the signs

Because kids are not always able to tell you what they are feeling, recognizing signs of heat symptoms can be helpful to prevent heat exhaustion.

• Milder symptoms: heat rashes, feeling hot to touch, sweating, looking flushed. 
• More severe symptoms: excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, weakness, and confusion. 

If you suspect a child is overheating, move them quickly to a cool place, and offer cold water or an electrolyte beverage. Most children improve with these steps, but if symptoms don’t improve quickly or they’re showing any of the severe symptoms it’s time to cool down fast and seek medical attention. Getting into a stream or pool of water with them is the quickest way if you can do it safely. Otherwise, soaking their shirt and hair with water and fanning them is the best way to cool them fast.

close up of an adult's hand spraying bug spray on a child's legs propped up on an orange soccer ball

Bug Safety: Minimizing Bites and Stings

Nothing screams summer like outdoor play and the bites and stings that come with it. While most insects are harmless, some can be irritating or cause allergic reactions.

• Insect repellent. The AAP recommends products containing DEET, picaridin, or other insect repellents with active ingredients registered with the EPA. Use kid-specific versions, which aren’t as concentrated and are safer for kid’s skin. Apply repellent only to exposed skin and clothing and avoid hands, eyes, and mouths. Wash it off when the kids come inside for the day.
• EpiPens. If someone has a known insect allergy, like a bee sting allergy, having an EpiPen nearby is essential. If your child has a prescription for one, make sure caregivers know how to use it. Teach your child (when age-appropriate) to recognize early symptoms like swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing.

If your little ones do end up with itchy bites, an over-the-counter topical anti-itch and anti-inflammatories like hydrocortisone cream and diphenhydramine cream can be helpful to lessen the itchiness.

Prepare Smart, Play Freely

Spending time outdoors is one of the best things you can do for your child’s physical and emotional health. It builds confidence, encourages movement, reduces stress, and fosters curiosity. With a few simple safety steps (and your GOES app in your pocket) you can allow your child to explore with freedom while keeping major risks in check. 

Summer is short so fill it with moments that matter. Keep the sunscreen in your bag, the water bottle full, and your plans flexible. Oh and don’t forget all the snacks. Nature will take care of the rest.