Summer safety rules for kids and adults

July 14, 9:14 AMParenting Humor ExaminerAnnette van de Kamp

During the summer, while your family is out and about, it’s important to have some safety rules. It never ceases to amaze me how many different ways kids can get hurt. Oh, I know; we’re rubbing lotion, drinking plenty of water, and reporting our whereabouts. But my children, as well as some kind neighbors, have taught me there are some additional things to consider:

• If your child is old enough to mow, don’t yell instructions at him while he is mowing. He can’t hear you, you will confuse him, and he will ride over his own foot.

• If you see something odd floating in the pool, don’t touch it.

• It is dangerous to stay outside during a tornado. If the flying debris doesn’t get you, your mother will.

• If you climb a tree five times, and you get stuck and have to be rescued five times, it is a really good idea not to climb it a sixth time. (Isabella, that means you.)

• A cherry willow that is only five foot tall does not have branches strong enough to swing from.

• You can’t drink from the hummingbird feeder, no matter how thirsty you are.

And, finally, I don’t care how cute those worms are, and how much time it took to dig them up. They do not make good pets, and your mother will never, ever let you keep them in a jar next to your bed.

Just so we’re clear.

For more info, see Medicine.net's top ten of (slightly more serious) summer dangers