If you're a parent, summer probably has a slightly different meaning to you. Depending on the age of your children, it can mean trips to the park, lazy days by the pool, popsicles, sunblock, and if you're lucky, sleeping past 7:00 a.m. Of course, if you have older children, it probably means your kids are going to be riding their bikes, playing video games, and taking off to go "hang out with friends," sometimes into the evening hours.
Summer is a great time for families, but too many parents fail to realize that it's also one of the most dangerous times for child-related accidents and injuries. Why? Simply because children are out of school and they're often less supervised than usual, especially as they approach fifth grade and beyond. After all, just because the kids are out of school, that doesn't mean you can take time off work!
Summer is 'Trauma' Season for ERs
Just ask any emergency room doctor and he or she will readily admit that summer is "busy season for the ER." According to an article in the Courier-Journal, "some medical professionals have dubbed the 'summer trauma season,' which extends from Memorial Day through Labor Day," and we couldn't agree more.
Erika Janes, a registered nurse with the Office of Child Advocacy at Kosair Children's Hospital told the Courier-Journal, "When school lets out there is an immediate change in supervision and with that change comes alarming rates of injuries."
All kids are susceptible to a bicycle crash, a tumble, a fall, a drowning accident, or even a pedestrian accident. In order for parents to reduce the risk of injury, they need to take into account their child's age and the appropriate level of supervision required, whether their child is in the front yard by traffic, swimming in the family pool, walking to the park with friends, or riding their bicycle around town.
If your child was injured in an accident, don't hesitate to contact our firm for a personal consultation with a Columbia, SC personal injuryattorney!