11 summer safety tips for kids with ADHD

Summer is a time for kids to have fun, explore, gain independence, and build on strengths. But ADHD symptoms can increase safety risks for many kids. The risks can be even greater if kids are taking a drug holiday from their ADHD medication.

Impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention can keep kids from remembering and following safety rules. They may not think before they act, especially when there’s something they’re really eager to do. Magical thinking can take over: “I can ride without a helmet this one time. Nothing’s going to happen.” 

Here are 11 tips for keeping kids with ADHD safe while still giving them the space to have fun and develop over the summer.

You may have talked about safety rules a hundred times. But with the excitement and freedom of being out of school, these rules may be nowhere on your child’s radar. Make a list together: Cross at crosswalks when possible. Look both ways. Put phones away and don’t listen to music when walking, etc. Put the list where your child will see it every day, and remind your child to look at it.

Getting too little sleep (most kids need 9 to 11 hours) can make ADHD symptoms like inattention and impulsivity worse. That can increase safety risks. Try to maintain good sleep habits during the summer, like putting screens away before bedtime. And allow enough time for sleep. Reinforce going to bed on a schedule by starting prep at least 30 minutes before the actual bedtime. If you make bedtime an hour later, make wake-up time an hour later, too. 

Work with your child to create a safety gear checklist for each activity. 

• Bike-riding: helmet

• Skateboarding: helmet, wrist guards, and pads

• Baseball: helmet, pads, eye protector, etc. 

Don’t leave it to your child to just remember which item goes with which activity. Give them verbal prompts and reminders before they head out to activities. Praise your child when they follow your prompts right away, or if they remember safety devices on their own.

Your child may be invited to go to a pool, lake, or beach without you. One important rule is “no going in the water without an adult or older teen present,” even if your child is a good swimmer or other kids are going in. Explain that you don’t think your child is a baby, but unexpected things can happen in water that require the help of an adult who knows what to do. Make a list together of other specific rules, like no diving, no jumping on kids’ backs, etc. 

You know the drill of sunscreen, hat, water, and avoiding midday sun. Chances are your child does, too. But that doesn’t mean your child will remember any of it before flying out the door. Keep sunscreen and hats where your child will see them, and have a backpack with these items that your child can quickly grab. Remind your child of the risks of not using sun and heat protection.

During the summer, kids may be out on their own more, walking or riding to friends’ houses, the park, or the store. Remind your child not to talk with strangers unless something is very wrong. Be very specific about what that means — if your child gets sick, hurt, or feels threatened. Many kids with ADHD don’t have the flexible thinking skills to know when to break rules or make exceptions.

Set up a way for your child to check in with you. Make a rule that your child must call you when they get to their friend’s house and when they’re leaving. If your child has a phone, make sure it’s always on. Have your child promise to pick up or text back immediately if you call. 

Help your child think through situations that might happen and how to handle them. These include things like getting hurt, accidentally damaging someone’s property, being pressured to try alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs, or doing something reckless. Give your child emergency contacts to call.

If your tween will be at home during the day when you aren’t, make sure to adjust your house rules. Maybe your child can’t use the stove when you’re not there, or can only have one friend over. Think about scenarios that could pose safety risks when your child is unsupervised with unstructured time.

During summer break, more free time can naturally lead to more screen time. Set limits on how much time your child can spend on various devices. It might be more time than during the school year, but your child should know exactly how much and when to turn it off. Also, keep tabs on what your child is doing on devices, and set rules for that, too. Go over basic online safety rules.

Firecrackers and sparklers are a common cause of injuries around the Fourth of July. Teens are the most likely to face injuries, followed by kids ages 5 to 9. Even if you don’t have these products at home, your child might be with other kids who are using them. Set a hard rule that your child can’t hold or set off firecrackers or sparklers, and must stand 6 feet away when anyone else sets them off. Demonstrate how far that is. 

With the right support, kids with ADHD can safely enjoy all the fun of summer. By putting clear rules in place and keeping communication open, you can help your child make good choices.