Safe Summer Fun for Kids
Childproofing outdoor areas to protect children  

Summer activities are a favorite among young children, from playing on swings to swimming in cool water. But spending more time outside near garages, pools, lakes, and playground equipment can increase a child’s risk of injury.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 2.5 million children are injured around their homes every year. To help parents and caregivers protect kids from potential dangers and reduce accidents this summer, First 5 Amador offers the following tips on childproofing outdoor areas.

By the Water
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that drowning is the second leading cause of death for children. Be water wise around pools, lakes, ponds, and the ocean!

• Don’t rely on flotation devices like life vests or floating baby seats to keep kids safe, as these can shift position, lose air, or slip out from under a child.
• Install a fence or wall that’s at least four feet high around pools with a self-latching gate that kids can’t reach. Keep the pool gate closed at all times.

On the Playground
Before letting your child climb on play equipment in your backyard or a public playground, scan the area for potential safety hazards.

• Check the equipment for rusted parts and loose splinters that can pinch a child’s skin.
• Look under swings, slides, and play structures. Ideally, there should be wood chips, sand or rubber mats to help break a child’s fall.
• Touch the equipment to make sure it’s not too hot to play on.

Around the Garage
Garages are often used to store lawn chemicals, gardening tools, and other items that are dangerous for young children.

• Keep pesticides, fertilizer, lighter fluid, and sharp objects like nails and screws in locked cabinets or high above the reach of curious little hands.
• When mowing the lawn, keep kids inside the house or at a safe distance so that they don’t get hurt by flying objects such as sticks or rocks. Never let children push a lawn mower with you.  
• Remember to always supervise children when they are playing outdoors. Summer provides great opportunities for kids to explore and stay active, but keep safety in mind first!

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First 5 Amador:

Our Mission
The mission of First 5 Amador is to promote, support, and enhance the optimal development of Amador County's children from zero to five years of age. Our Commission believes that broad community involvement is critical to the success of this mission. With Proposition 10 funds we support projects that make sense locally based on identified needs and opportunities for children and families in Amador County.

Promoting Equitable Access & Outcomes
In 2002, First 5 Amador adopted the Principles on Equity developed by the Advisory Committee on Diversity to First 5 California.  The Principles on Equity served as the foundation for developing these nine Guiding Principles:  Access; Inclusive principles of equity and diversity for children with special needs; Collaboration; Outreach and Engagement; Utilization of Family Resource Centers; School Readiness; Promoting Father Involvement; Community Building; and Prevention and Wellness Approach.
 
Our Strategic Plan
The goals and focus areas adopted in the 2005-2009 Strategic Plan are as follows:

Child Care:  Increase, improve and enhance the availability, affordability, and quality of child care in Amador County for families with children 0-5.

• Increase the percentage of informal caregivers that participate in educational opportunities.
• Support and/or expand the existing child care system.
• Support for development and improvement of facilities and equipment  exists.
  

Family Safety:  Work towards eliminating Family Violence and its impact on Amador County families with children 0-5. 

• Increase the awareness of Amador County residents about what constitutes family violence, and how to access resources.
• Increase the number of persons who receive services and information about family violence.
• Improvements in the Family Violence/Domestic Violence system functioning in Amador County are supported.
  

Health:  Enhance the health opportunities to families with children 0-5.

• Increase awareness of the availability of (health) services to families, and how to access those services.
• Increase the utilization of health opportunities (e.g., parent and infant kits, school readiness information, etc.).
• Increase the percentage of eligible families who enroll, participate in, and are retained in health programs (i.e. Healthy Families, Medi-Cal, etc.).
• Increase the number of local health service programs.
  

School Readiness:  Children will enter school with skills for success in life.

• Increase the nutrition education and physical activity of children 0-5.
• Increase peer support of, and self-identification by, parents and/or primary caregivers in their role as their child’s first, most important teacher.
• Increase the number of parents, primary caregivers, and informal/formal caregivers participating in hands-on child development activities in informal settings.
• Increase the number of children 0-5 who have current assessments of their development and total well-being, and whose parents are linked with appropriate resources.
• Increase community awareness of what constitutes School Readiness and skills for success of children.
• Increase early childhood educators’ understanding and awareness of what constitutes School Readiness for children that includes skills for success in life.
• Increase communication and collaboration between Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten communities so they come to a common understanding.