Summer Safety

Yes, summer is finally here and it’s time to enjoy the warm weather, cookouts, pool parties, bonfires and camping trips! Summer is a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Follow these safety tips to ensure a safe and happy summer vacation.

Watch for Motorcycles

When the weather is nice, bikers are out in bulk, cruising around town, participating in organized rides, commuting to work or hitting the open road. Sadly, some motorcyclists don’t reach their destinations. Motorcyclists are more likely to be injured than an automobile driver in the event of an accident simply due to design; safety features like airbags or seatbelts are not usually present on bikes.

So, how to prevent accidents? At intersections, always look both ways before pulling out into the intersection. When turning right on red, watch for cycles and any other vehicles that might be entering the intersection. Obey all traffic devices and signs and don’t tailgate. Watch your speed and always be aware of all traffic on the road.

If you are a biker, you can avoid, or at least minimize injury in the event of an accident by always wearing a helmet and protective gear. No flip flops and shorts!  Some riding jackets and pants even come with padding that can protect your elbows, shoulders, thighs and knees, and they are worth the investment. Remember, sometimes a biker’s clothing is the only thing separating his or her skin from the pavement.

Bikers need to be especially aware of vehicle traffic while they’re on the road. Another driver may not see you, simply due to the smaller size of a motorcycle. Drive defensively and use caution when entering intersections. Drive with your headlights on all the time to increase your visibility, and always wear a DOT-approved helmet. Reflective strips on your helmet or clothing may not be the coolest fashion accessory, but they can increase visibility.

Water Safety

When swimming in a lake, pond or other public, open water, only swim in approved areas during approved swim times and only swim when a lifeguard is present. Watch for other swimmers and boaters.  It can be difficult for boaters to see or hear swimmers from the boat, so it is up to the swimmer to keep their ears and eyes open. And for boaters, obey no-wake zone markers and only boat far away from approved beaches or swimming areas. Flotation devices are also a must.

Make sure there is a lifeguard or responsible adult present to keep watch.  And of course, proper safety gear is a necessity. Life vests save lives.  Swimming pools are attractive nuisances, beckoning to children and causing drownings every year. Fencing swimming pools installing a locking gate will not only keep little swimmers safer, they are also usually required for homeowner’s insurance.

Don’t let bonfires turn into forest fires

Everyone loves a good bonfire, where stories are told and marshmallows are roasted. But bonfires can be dangerous. Follow these safety tips to ensure an enjoyable bonfire.

Keep an eye on the kids. Kids love to run around while the adults sit down and sip a cocktail or kick back and relax at the fire. But kids should not be allowed to run near the fire as they can trip and land on the flames. Supervise children when they roast marshmallows and make sure they stay far enough away from the flames to avoid burns.

Always keep an eye on the fire. Don’t ever leave it unattended, and make sure it is being tended to properly to avoid sparks igniting something you don’t want burned.  There are a lot of decorative fire pits, bowls or chimneys on the market nowadays and they are great for bonfires. But don’t overload them, and don’t use gasoline as an accelerant. Read the labels of any appropriate fire-starter products to avoid flare-ups and other fire risks.

Don’t forget to put it out. Fire pits are nice, but they need to be properly handled when it’s time to go to bed.  Some fire pits or bowls have a spark screen to use to ensure the fire will stay in one place, but it’s probably best to put the fire out completely before going to bed. Read the manufacturer instructions on your pit or bowl to learn the recommended extinguish instructions. And remember, the ashes stay hot for a while after the fire goes out, so don’t dump them and forget them. Hose down any ashes to avoid unintentional fires.

Keep an eye out for the little ones

Children love summer vacation, and they know how to have a good time. They play hard and explore their neighborhoods, looking for adventure.  They organize street hockey games, tag, hide-and-seek and other fun games. But that means they’ll be out in force in the streets, and drivers need to use extra caution to avoid running them over. Watch out for games of catch or kickball; invariably, someone will lose a ball and a child may dart into the road after it. Go slow in neighborhoods where kids are at play, and never, ever text and drive. Taking your eyes off the road for even a second can cause a fatal accident.