Summer safety checklist: how to avoid the most common ER injuries

Summer changes everyone’s routine. School lets out, calendars fill up, and families spend more time outside. 

There are road trips with the windows down, afternoons at the pool, and bike rides around the neighborhood. Families head to the lake, hit the trails, gather for backyard barbecues, and celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks and sparklers.

It’s the season many people wait for all year. But the same things that make summer feel more open and relaxed can also make it easier to miss basic safety steps.

Longer days, looser schedules, crowded roads, busy pools, and more time around vehicles, water, fire, and outdoor equipment can all raise the chance of injury.

Dr. McKenzie sees the other side of those moments in the emergency room. A crash, a fall, a water emergency, a firework injury, or a child hurt near a vehicle can happen in seconds.

“During the summer, we see more of everything, but often more severe injuries,” says Barry A. McKenzie, MD, a board-certified general surgeon with Intermountain Health and St. Vincent Regional Hospital.

He says a few small habits can help protect the fun. Wearing seatbelts, checking helmets, and actively supervising kids around water all go a long way. For activities that need your full attention – like driving, boating, riding e-bikes, or lighting fireworks – alcohol should never be part of the plan.

Those habits often start with what kids see adults do. When parents buckle up, put on helmets, wear life jackets, slow down, and treat risky activities with care, children learn those steps are part of the routine.

That example starts in the car, because it’s one of the places families make safety choices every day.

Always wear your seatbelt, even if it’s just a “quick trip”

Seatbelts matter on road trips, but they matter just as much on short drives through town.

“Putting your seatbelt on reduces your chance of death by at least 50%,” Dr. McKenzie says. “Really big crashes happen and fatalities absolutely happen within city limits.”

Even quick trips to the ice cream shop or errands around town call for a seatbelt. Serious crashes don’t only happen on highways.

Spot the tot: check for children before you drive or mow

Summer often means more people, more vehicles, and more activity around the house. That's why it's important to remember the phrase "spot the tot."

Young children are hard to see around large vehicles and lawn equipment. They may chase a ball, grab a bike, or run behind a vehicle without warning. Before moving a car, truck, SUV, trailer, ATV, or riding lawnmower, take a moment to "spot the tot" by checking carefully to make sure no young children are nearby.

Other adults can help, too. Keep children inside or with another adult when someone is backing up, pulling forward, or mowing. During family gatherings, remind drivers to slow down and keep driveways clear of toys whenever possible.

What to check before kids ride bikes or e-bikes

Bikes, scooters, skateboards, motorcycles, and e-bikes can add another risk to summer fun. Helmets can significantly reduce the chance of serious injury, but they need to match the activity and fit correctly. Kids grow quickly, so last year’s helmet may sit too high or feel too tight now.

“It’s really important at the beginning of every season to make sure that the helmets are fitting correctly, that the pads are where they’re supposed to be, that they didn’t have a crash you didn’t know about, and it’s not cracked,” Dr. McKenzie says.

Bikes need a seasonal check, too. Make sure the brakes work, tires are filled, and the bike still fits the rider. E-bikes and electric scooters need an even closer look because they can move faster than many families expect – up to 28 miles per hour. That higher speed can lead to more serious injuries when a crash happens.

Before kids or teens ride, talk through the rules: wear the right helmet, follow traffic laws, watch for pedestrians, avoid earbuds, and slow down around driveways, sidewalks, and intersections. 

How to keep kids safe around pools and open water

Pools, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and beaches all make summer better. They also need active supervision, especially when kids are involved.

Dr. McKenzie recommends knowing each child’s swimming ability, securing private pools, and assigning one responsible adult to watch the water. At parties, that person should stay focused and avoid drinking while on watch. Drowning can happen quickly, and it doesn’t always look like splashing or yelling. 

“We see it every summer,” Dr. McKenzie says. “A parent may turn away or a friend who’s watching kids may turn away for a brief moment, and then they can’t find the kid. And now we’re minutes into a drowning.”

Open water adds more risks. River flow, wind, depth, weather, and currents can change quickly. Wear a life jacket, even if you’re a strong swimmer. Never jump or dive into water unless you know how deep it is. Shallow or unknown water can cause life-changing injuries, including spinal cord injuries and paralysis.

How to stay safe around fireworks and wildlife this summer

Follow local firework laws, keep children at a safe distance, have water nearby, and never relight a firework that doesn’t go off. Keep alcohol away from firework use, boating, driving, and riding.

“When the Fourth of July rolls around, be careful,” Dr. McKenzie says. “Pay attention to what you’re doing with fireworks. We see significant injuries every time.”

If your summer plans include hiking or camping, give wildlife plenty of space. Store food safely, make noise when hiking in bear country, and follow posted signs in parks and public spaces. If you’re bitten by a rattlesnake, get to the nearest emergency room as quickly as possible.

Plan ahead for a fun and safe summer

These are all small habits, but Dr. McKenzie says they add up. They can help families spend more time enjoying summer and less time facing an unexpected trip to the emergency room.

Summer should be full of stories you want to remember. A few safety choices can help make sure everyone comes home with the right kind of memories.

At Intermountain Health, we’re here to help you protect the people you love – from injury prevention resources to emergency care when you need it. Learn more about summer safety at IntermountainHealth.org.