Summer Safety Guide
Keeping children safe during the summer holidays — water safety, outdoor activities, increased screen time, and holiday travel.
Summer brings longer days, more freedom, and new environments for children. Whether your family is heading to the beach, spending time in the garden, or staying home with more screen time, this guide covers the key safety considerations for the summer months.
Water safety awareness
Never leave children unsupervised near water, including paddling pools, garden ponds, and open water. Teach basic water safety rules before any swimming activities.
Sun and heat protection
Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen regularly, ensure children wear hats and appropriate clothing, and keep younger children in the shade during peak hours (11am-3pm).
Increased screen time boundaries
With more free time, screen use often increases. Agree on summer screen time limits and encourage a balance of outdoor activities, reading, and creative play.
Holiday travel preparation
If travelling, ensure children know your phone number, agree on meeting points for busy locations, and discuss stranger safety in unfamiliar environments.
Social media during holidays
Remind children not to post real-time location updates on social media. Save holiday photos for sharing after you return home.
Related safety topics
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.