Summer is a time of long evenings, splashing at the park, and endless play. But with more time outdoors comes more opportunity for injuries.
That doesn’t mean we stop the fun. It just means a little extra awareness can go a long way in keeping our little ones safe. Let’s look at the most common summertime injuries in Canada and what we can do together to help prevent them.
1. Trampolines
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society and Parachute Canada, trampolines are a leading cause of emergency visits for children, with thousands of Canadian kids injured each year—most often from falls and collisions.
Safety tips:
Use safety nets and protective pads.
Allow only one jumper at a time. If more than one, avoid mixing younger children with bigger kids.
Place trampolines at ground level, away from fences and structures, on a soft surface like grass.
Always supervise play.
2. Playgrounds
Playgrounds are wonderful for climbing, sliding, and swinging—but falls account for nearly 80% of playground injuries in Canada.
Safety tips:
Choose playgrounds with soft surfaces such as wood chips, sand, or engineered playground turf.
Remind kids to slide feet-first, hold onto guardrails, and avoid climbing outside protective barriers.
Encourage gentle play—no pushing or roughhousing.
Always supervise children, especially when climbing higher structures.
Learn more from Parachute Canada.
3. ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles)
Every year in Canada, hundreds of children are seriously injured while using ATVs. The Canadian Paediatric Society and Parachute Canada both strongly recommend against ATV use for anyone under 16.
Safety tips:
Children and teens under 16 should not operate ATVs.
Helmets must be CSA-approved motorcycle-style helmets, not bicycle helmets.
Never carry passengers on a single-rider ATV.
Stay off public roads.
Model safe behaviour—adults should follow the same guidelines.
4. Activities on Wheels (Bikes, Scooters, Rollerblades)
From bikes to skateboards, anything on wheels comes with risks—especially head injuries. Every hour, nearly 50 kids in North America visit an ER for a wheeled-sports injury. Helmets are proven to reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85%.
Safety tips:
Always wear a properly fitted helmet (and show by example—parents, too!).
Avoid riding at night. If needed, use lights and reflective gear.
Teach kids defensive riding: stick to sidewalks where safe, ride on the correct side of the street, and always assume drivers may not see them.
Find tips from Parachute Canada.
5. Window Falls
Open windows and curious kids can be a dangerous combination. In Canada, emergency departments see many of children under 10 every year with injuries from window falls, especially in warmer months.
Safety tips:
Never rely on screens to prevent falls—they are not safety devices.
Install window guards or locks so windows open no more than 10 cm.
Keep furniture away from windows to prevent climbing.
Design play areas away from windows whenever possible.
Summer is meant for joy, freedom, and connection—and with a little planning, we can help keep it safe, too. Each step we take to prevent injuries is another chance for our little ones to explore, grow, and create memories.
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