05/22/2026
Memorial Day weekend is here, but before the pool parties, road trips and backyard BBQs begin, here are 5 important safety reminders for families this weekend, courtesy of Kristen Beckworth, manager for the Center for Childhood Injury Prevention:
🌊 Always watch children around water - Keep kids within arm’s reach at pools, lakes, kiddie pools, bathtubs or anywhere water collects. Drowning can happen quickly and during “non-swim times."
🏊🏻♀️ Assign a dedicated “Water Watcher” - During parties or family gatherings, make sure one adult is focused only on supervising children in or near the water. No phones, texting or distractions.
🧴 Use layers of protection - Install pool fences, locked gates and alarms. Enroll children in swim lessons early. Multiple safety measures help prevent accidents before they happen.
🚗 Protect kids from hot cars - As summer heat ramps up, temperatures inside a car can become fatal within minutes, even on cloudy days or with the windows cracked. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, and always check the backseat before walking away.
🚨 Stay alert and act fast in emergencies - Summer fun means more kids around pools, parks and cars. If you see a child alone in a hot car or in danger near water, call 911 immediately. Seconds matter.
Share these safety reminders with your friends and family ☀️