When it comes to summer, children and the outdoors go hand in hand.
And most parents want their children to go outside and get exercise, instead of spending hours inside playing video games.
But before you send your children out to play -- whether on the swings or in a swimming pool -- make sure your backyard is safe.
It's not enough that the backyard fence is closed or that you think your yard is safe. Danger can lurk in the very places your children love to play.
Consider that 2.7 million children end up in the emergency room every summer from accidents in or around their home, according to Underwriters Laboratories. UL is a safety organization that offers information to parents for creating safer home environments.
Each year, more children ages 1 through 14 die in pool drownings than in car accidents. More than 4,000 children are injured or die due to drowning or near-drowning accidents in the United States , according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Unattended grills, broken children's play equipment and unchecked sandboxes can all cause preventable accidents.
John Drengenberg, director of consumer safety for Underwriters Laboratories, said parents try to keep their children safe, but are not safety experts.
"We can't blame parents, but we can talk about the type of hazards that might be in their back yard" and educate them, he said.
Pool safety
Swimming is one of most popular ways for children to enjoy their summer. Unfortunately, swimming pools are one of the leading danger zones for children.
An El Paso city ordinance states that a pools must have a fence around it that is at least 4 feet tall with a self-latching lock.
"Nothing beats adult supervision," Drengenberg said. He added that older children, such as teenagers, are not suitable replacements for an adult.
"The other thing is to follow the 10/20 rule. You should scan the pool every 10 seconds and be able to get to the pool within 20 seconds if there is an emergency," he said.
Drengenberg said when a child is missing for a few minutes, the first place to look is not in bedrooms, closets or neighbors' yards.
"The first place to look is the pool, because the sooner you find the child and get help, the better the chance of the child not sustaining brain injuries or death," he said.
Even small wading pools can be as deadly as a larger pool.
"Everybody knows a child can drown in one inch of water. When you're done with the pool, empty it and turn it upside down so it doesn't collect rain water," Drengenberg said.
Bob Ferguson, vice president of Water Systems at NSF International, said ill-fitting drain covers have also been known to cause dangerous accidents such as entrapping limbs or hair.
NSF International is a not-for-profit public health and safety organization.
"In the last couple of years, there have been some real changes in the type of equipment used in pools because people have gotten their hair caught in a drain. And people have nearly drowned," he said.
Ferguson said people need to make sure the drain and suction fittings on their pool are certified. And don't allow anyone to play in the pool if a drain cover is missing or broken until it is replaced.
Along with adult supervision, parents can use a variety of technology -- such as security cameras and wristband alarms -- to aid them in watching their children.
The Safety Turtle, for example, allows a parent to put a cute wristband on a child to use with a separate wireless base. If the child were to fall into the pool, the alarm would go off immediately.
Bridget Palmer, a product manager for First Alert, said outside security cameras are weather-resistant and can be used to view everything going on outside.
"You could mount it underneath an awning and have it pointed to a pool," she said.
The cameras, made by First Alert, also feature LED night vision technology.
Some other tips for pool safety:
* Keep toys out of the pool. A child may be tempted to try to get a toy and fall in.
* Keep tricycles or wheeled toys away from the pool, as children playing with these could fall in the water.
* Make sure the fence around the pool has a self-closing and self-latching mechanism to prevent unauthorized entry.
* Never stack any furniture near the pool that can be used as a steppingstone.
* Make sure that an emergency shut-off switch for the pump is installed nearby and that it is easily accessible. Everyone should know where these switches are located and how to use them.
Playgrounds
We all know the weather -- mainly the sun -- in El Paso is bad for our bodies. And it can also put extra wear and tear on items left outdoors.
If you haven't checked your son's playground equipment since you built it, you may be putting your child at risk for an injury.
Ferguson said parents need to maintain their children's play equipment by checking for loose screws.
"Go over the bolts and make sure they have covers so they won't cut their fingers. And the hooks that hold up the swings should be closed nice and tight so there's no chance of the chain slipping and the child hurting themselves," he said.
Also, make sure the playground equipment is away from trees, because children may be inclined to swing from their swing set and climb onto them. A 6-to-12-inch layer of mulch, such as chopped rubber tires or wood chips, also can provide a safe and softer cushion than a lawn.
Sandboxes, another fun place for children, can also appeal to cats and other critters. Make it a routine to check the sand for any sharp objects or other unwanted items before children play.
Spiders, scorpions
Plastic buckets, pieces of wood and boxes could all become toys in the hands of an imaginative child. But they can also be secret hideouts for scorpions and spiders.
It's a good idea to teach children how to safely pick up these items or others that have been lying around for a while.
Before handling any of these, children should always be sure to look at the exposed side of the object and then flip it over with something else to check the underside, according to Associated Content.
Flipping it over a couple of times is even better.
Teach them to get an adult when they see a spider or scorpion instead of trying to kill it. A spider and or scorpion can still bite or sting a person even if it's been smashed.
Mosquitoes, which can carry the West Nile virus, also can be a summer problem, mainly from dusk to dawn.
It's a good idea to use repellent with DEET and wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Also, change water in birdbaths, pet water bowls and wading pools regularly to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
"The summer is a wonderful time for kids and parents to play together and spend time together," Ferguson said.
Parents just have to take the lead in being careful so their children can enjoy their summer, he added.
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