Summer may look a bit different this year, but that doesn’t mean summer activities are coming to a halt! Warmer weather still means enjoying the great outdoors, whether that means grilling dinner, the kids playing in the yard, or taking a dip in the pool.
With all the fun that is bound to happen, we want to make sure you and your family are still safe! So, we’ve compiled a list of quick tips to guarantee your summer is both fun and safe, no matter the activity.
General Safety
- Drink plenty of water and always stay hydrated
- Never leave a child or pet enclosed in a vehicle on a hot day
- Teach your children about home security
- Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days
- Early morning and late evenings are the coolest times to exercise outdoors
- Apply sunscreen with SPF 15+ at least 30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every few hours
- Check instructions on the label of your product for more details
- Use an EPA registered insect repellant to prevent mosquito bites
- Learn more at ncs.org
Water Safety
Water-related activities are a great way to get physical activity and provide many health benefits. However, drowning is a leading cause of death for children. It is important to take extra precautions when children are involved in water activities.
- Never swim alone
- Always supervise children when they are in the water
- Young children or inexperienced swimmers should always wear a certified life jacket around water.
- Enter the water feet first
- Stay away from pool drains
- Learn CPR or take a swim class to understand the basic skills of water competency
- If you have a pool at home, make sure it’s fenced in or shut down securely when not in use
- Find more tips at redcross.org
Grill Safety
A lot of great memories can start around the grill. Unfortunately, each year over 7,000 Americans are injured while using backyard barbecue grills. Here are a few tips to stay safe and avoid becoming a statistic:
- Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house
- Clean your grill regularly
- Check for gas leaks
- Don’t turn on the gas while the lid is closed Don’t grill indoors! In addition to a fire hazard, it is also can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning
- Keep decorations or other flammables away from your grill
- Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple of steps from your grill (and know how to use one!)
- Never leave a grill unattended
- Learn more from nfpa.org
Yard Safety
- Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing
- Keep children and pets out of the yard while mowing
- Do now allow children to ride as passengers on riding mowers
- Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before performing any maintenance
- Don’t let your lawn or weeds overgrow
- Tall, overgrown grass and brush provide ample hiding areas for thieves, vandals, and other criminals.
- Know other ways burglars may target your home
- Overgrown grass may also be a sign that no one has been home for some time, ideal for burglars. If going on vacation, ask a neighbor or a friend to mow your lawn for you.
- Find out more at healthychildren.org
