- Teens are more likely to be exposed to drugs and alcohol during summer months. Health experts say the best way to prevent destructive behaviors is to provide a structured environment, be clear about your rules, and have an “I’ll come and get you any time you need help” policy with your teenager.
- Bullying doesn’t end with the school year. “No school” means “more free time” – and a spike in social media use. Keep an eye on their social media accounts: more than half of adolescents are cyber-bullied at some time. Bullying can lead to depression, withdrawal, and low self-esteem.
- There are more car accidents involving teen drivers between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other time of the year. Kids are driving for fun, instead of to work or school, which means they’re on the road more. Also, the more teenagers in a car, the higher the risk of a fatal accident.
- A job can help keep your teenager out of trouble, but comes with other risks. Young people with very little workplace experience get injured on the job for many reasons:
- Unsafe equipment
- Inadequate safety training
- Lack of supervision
- Stressful conditions
Restaurants, construction sites, and outdoor work are among the most dangerous.
If you send your kid to work, he or she needs to understand that they have a right to a safe work place, and the safety rules their employer sets are serious. OSHA is a great resource for young worker safety and labor laws.
For young babysitters, Safe Sitter offers training in injury prevention, basic first aid, and fun, safe activities. Find a Safe Sitter class.
In this series, I am summarizing the best summer safety information I can find. Follow me on Twitter for daily updates. Have a happy and safe summer!
