While it may only be April, summer temperatures have already arrived in South Florida! This time of year can be slightly challenging when planning activities; you have to consider protecting yourself and your children from the hot sun, staying safe while cooling off around water, and what to do indoors when those inevitable afternoon storms roll in. So, how to strike the balance between soaking up the longer days, having fun, and keeping everyone in the family happy? I don’t think the perfect answer exists, but below are some tips that can help as we move into the warmest months of the year:

Outdoor Safety Tips

When it’s bright outside, and the sun doesn’t set until 8pm, of course it’s great to spend time as a family outdoors! Whether you go for an afternoon walk, a weekend trip to the playground, or break out the bicycles and roller-skates, there are some things to consider when spending an extended amount of time in the sun.

• Always apply sunscreen and bring lots of water when spending time outdoors. The sun is hottest from 10am to 4pm, so apply and reapply sunscreen diligently- even on cloudy days. Remind your children to stay hydrated and bring plenty of extra water to refill water bottles.
• When riding bikes, always have your child wear their helmet, and stick to the sidewalks and low-traffic areas as much as possible.
• Always supervise children when at the playground and check the equipment (especially those made from metal) to make sure it’s not too hot and won’t cause any burns. 
• Use insect repellent to protect your child from outdoor pests.

Water Safety Tips

My family and I love to spend time at the pool, beach, and waterparks during the summer. For children who don’t know how to swim, or are new swimmers, it is important to ensure they are always supervised by an experienced, undistracted adult and wear protective float devices, such as life vests. Here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• When swimming at your home or visiting somebody else’s home, make sure all pools and hot tubs have a fence around them with a self-closing, locked gate. If there is no fence, make sure pools and hot tubs are securely covered when not in use.
• Look into scheduling swim lessons for children starting when they’re at least 1 year old. For Palm Beach County residents, the Drowning Prevention Coalition offers free or reduced swim programs for eligible families. Check out the requirements here: https://discover.pbcgov.org/drowningprevention/Pages/default.aspx. You can also check with your local recreation center for free or reduced rate lessons.
• Teach your children to walk around or near the pool.
• If there is bad weather and lightning in the area, have everyone exit the water immediately.
• When visiting beaches and lakes, try to find an area with lifeguards on duty. Make sure to follow any safety signs, such as not swimming where there could be dangerous wildlife, or being aware of rip currents, large waves, and other hazards.

Indoor Play Ideas

Every Florida summer, like clockwork, comes an afternoon downpour. Even if they don’t last long, it’s best to avoid the weather by playing inside. Movies, tablets, and online games can entertain kids during these times, but if you want to try something that doesn’t involve a screen, here are some indoor play ideas:

• Read together as a family or take shelter in a library.
• Break out toys that haven’t been played with in a while, or toys that require concentration and creativity such as puzzles, Legos, and arts and crafts.
• Have an indoor dance party with music, bubbles, glowsticks, and whatever else you can find- anything to burn off energy!
• When you can’t visit the pool or beach, fill up the bathtub! Under your supervision, have kids play with their water toys in the bath. Turn off the lights and break out glow-in-the-dark toys to create a fun, relaxing atmosphere.

For more safety tips you can follow all year long, visit https://www.safekids.org/, and keep an eye on our socials, blog, and Family Resources webpage for more summer safety information!