Summer job precautions

Safety is also an important issue for young workers. Workers younger than age 24 have one of the highest rates of injury. Here are some tips for safe work practices for teens:

• Teens need sun protection and need to stay hydrated. Many teens find outdoor work during the summer months, such as pool maintenance or lawn mowing. They should wear hats and sunscreen when in the sun and drink lots of water throughout the day.

• Make sure you have your teens' contact information and schedule. Know when to expect teens home after work and how to reach their workplace in case of emergency.

• Teens need to avoid hazardous work. For example, by federal law teens are not allowed to work in freezers, other than to go in to get items such as food. Encourage your teen to avoid taking on duties that are hazardous or dangerous to his or her health or well-being.

• Teen workers should report unsafe conditions to their boss. Let your kids know that everyone has the right to a safe working environment—for example, that areas at work that could cause someone to slip and fall should be cleaned up, whether that means picking up items blocking a walkway or mopping up spills.

• Show teens how to reduce the chance of electrocution. Remind them to keep power tools and any machinery away from water and to never touch a downed power line.

• Teach teens about safe lifting practices. Sooner or later, your teen will have to pick up something heavy. Talk about when to ask for help and how to lift safely (by using the knees instead of the back).

Once you’ve discussed all of this (and more), keep checking in with your teens as the summer progresses. Make sure that eating, sleeping, and day-to-day care aren't suffering while they're holding down a job. Most teen summer jobs are great experiences, and you can help ensure this by keeping the lines of communication open between you and your children