| The Memorial Day weekend signals the start of summer, which means more time spent outdoors. Below are some safety tips for this weekend and the rest of the summer.
GRILLING:
-Charcoal can heat to a temperature of 1,000 degrees. Don't bury embers in sand or a corner of the backyard before dousing them with a hose or buckets of water first. It's likely people are running around barefoot.
-If it's raining, it's not a good idea to drag your grill into the garage or plop your hibachi in the sink. Never grill indoors or near garages or porches. In fact, stay at least 10 feet from any structures.
-Keep a spray bottle or fire extinguisher within reach. Flare-ups can't always be anticipated.
-Don't use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire.
-If you've got a new gas grill, make sure all its parts are tight. For older grills, check hoses for cracking, brittleness or leaks.
POOL SAFETY
-Good pool supervision means scanning the area every 20 seconds when children are in the water, with an adult no more than 10 seconds away.
-Good pool supervision is NOT telling an older child to keep an eye on the little ones, no matter how strong a swimmer the older child might be.
-A 4-foot fence around a pool with a self-closing, self-latching gate and locks beyond a child's reach are recommended.
-Don't stack chairs, other furniture or pool equipment near a fence to avoid children climbing.
-Do not leave toys in the pool that can entice kids back into the pool area after water playtime is over.
-Cut back tree limbs extending over a pool fence to discourage climbing.
-Empty small wading pools when not in use. Infants can drown in as little as an inch of water.
-Cover drains in pools and spas. The suction can be dangerous to children.
PLAYSETS
-Kids grow while playset structures don't, so take heed of older children looking to climb and swing higher than the structure was built to withstand.
-Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all pieces are in good working order, S-hooks connecting chains to swings or ladders are entirely closed and all bolts are not protruding.
-Lay down mulch, sand or a rubberized surface around a play structure.
BOAT SAFETY
-Leave alcohol onshore, its effects will be exaggerated when combined with the sun, wind and glare.
-Use and maintain the right equipment: life jackets, fire extinguishers, anchor, boat lights, and emergecy supplies.
-Keep a close eye on the weather.
-Tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
-Know your local boating regulations and make sure your registration is up to date.
ABOVE ALL ELSE, USE COMMON SENSE WHEN IN COMES TO SAFETY. |
