Keep your child safe this Summer
June 15, 2023
Summer is here with a blast and children are outdoors more and more, especially now the weather has improved. To help your kids have a safe and fun summer, we’ve put together our top tips on summer safety.
Stay safe in the sun
Apply plenty of sunblock when your children are playing outside. The HSE advise using at least factor 50 to give them the best cover. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight can harm your child’s skin and increase the chances of cancer.
The sun’s rays can also damage children’s eyes or cause heatstroke if their heads go uncovered. Make sure they wear sunglasses as well as a wide-brimmed hat.
Read our advice on choosing safe sunglasses.
Summer toys
Toys sold in the EU must comply with strict safety regulations. When buying toys for your little ones, there are certain things you need to watch out for, most importantly, a CE mark. A CE mark is a manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets EU safety standards. It should appear on the toy itself, in the manual or on the packaging.
When buying toys you should also check they are appropriate for the child’s age. Keep them away from younger children if they are unsuitable as they could be a potential choking or other hazard to them.
Water safety
If you’re heading to the beach or even to a paddling pool in the garden, always supervise children and take precautions. You can learn more about water safety on gov.ie.
Never use inflatable toys in open water. Strong winds can sweep inflatables out to sea faster than you can swim after them. A child could quickly get out of their depth or fall off into deep water. These toys should never be brought to a beach, river or lake.
Report unsafe product
If you come across any toy or product you believe is unsafe, or has a fake CE mark, don’t buy it. You should contact us immediately with details of the item. You can keep an eye on our social media channels for the latest product recalls.
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