Summer has unofficially started, and families are spending more time outdoors grilling, swimming, and enjoying the warm weather. While summer brings plenty of opportunities for relaxation, there also some dangers to be aware of and ready for. Follow these tips to keep your family safe.
Use Grills Safely to Avoid Burns
Only use a grill in a well-ventilated outdoor area away from buildings and trees. Burns can happen very easily around these devices. If you use a propane grill, open the top to prevent a buildup of gas and turn on the propane just before you light the grill. If it won’t start, turn off the gas, give it a few minutes to vent, and try again. If you use charcoal briquettes, only use lighter fluid if the charcoal is not pretreated to light quickly. Don’t pour lighter fluid on a flame, and never use gasoline to light a grill fire.
Keep Kids Safe Around Pools to Prevent Drowning
Swimming pools are fun, but they can also be extremely dangerous. Thousands of children drown or nearly drown in swimming pools each year. If you have young kids, install a gate around your pool and keep it locked unless an adult is supervising them in the pool area. You can install an alarm to keep your children and any neighborhood kids from sneaking into the pool. Don’t leave anything that a child could climb on near the fence. Never allow children to swim alone. Even a child who is a strong swimmer can experience an accident, cramp, or illness and drown. Teach kids to walk around the pool and only to dive in designated areas with proper supervision. Having even basic CPR skills can help in an emergency.
How to Prevent Sunburn and Heat-Related Illnesses
When spending time in the sun, everyone should wear sunscreen that can protect against UVA and UVB rays. Cover all exposed areas, especially often-missed places such as the ears, hands, feet, and backs of the knees. Reapply sunscreen frequently if you will spend an extended period of time outdoors. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, hats, and sunglasses can also provide valuable protection.
Stay hydrated during hot weather. If you and your family are going to spend time working or relaxing outside, make sure everyone drinks plenty of water. Stay in the shade as much as possible. If you are working, take regular breaks.
Never leave a child or pet unattended in a car. A vehicle parked outdoors can become extremely hot in a very small amount of time, even with the windows cracked. Take your child or pet with you if possible. If you can’t, leave them home with someone else or complete errands at another time.
