The consumer advocacy group World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) has released a summer safety hazards list to warn parents of potential summer dangers to children. According to WATCH, almost half of injuries to children and deaths occur during summer.

WATCH has warned parents to be cautious of non-motorized scooters, which can put children at risk for traumatic brain injuries. Non-motorized scooters injure more than 50,000 children under 15 in the U.S. annually. To reduce the risk of injury or death, WATCH recommends parents never let children use scooters near traffic or without safety gear.

In addition to scooters, WATCH is warning parents about the dangers of flotation devices, which can put children between the ages of 1 to 4 at higher risk for drowning. WATCH claims flotation devices can lead to a “false sense of security” for parents, who might see the devices as a replacement for supervision.

Flotation devices are not the only water-related risk children face during the summer months. Baby pools, buckets and fountains can also put children at higher risk for drowning. According to WATCH, between the years 2006 to 2010, 434 children died in small bodies of water. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water, so baby pools and other water-related products should never be left unattended.

Trampolines and bounce houses also caught the attention of WATCH. Both devices can cause traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

How Can Parents Prevent Injuries To Children This Summer?

Defective products are not the only risk to children, and lack of supervision with safe products can be just as dangerous. WATCH recommends parents research the risks associated with summer activities and asks that parents always supervise their children.

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