Keeping It Fun: Summer Safety Tips

Being outdoors in the summer is lots of fun, but it can be dangerous if you don't pay attention to your surroundings. Learn summer safety tips for the pool, grill and more!

Thinking of having a lot of barbecues or pool parties this summer? In honor of National Safety Month, consider limiting the chance of a guest or yourself having an accident by following these summer safety tips.

Before the Event: Yard Work Safety Tips

Of course you want to get the yard work out of the way so you can focus on the party planning. Rushing through it, however, could mean that you’re in pain during the party, or worse, that you have to make an impromptu visit to the emergency room. Avoid any mishaps by following these summer safety recommendations:

• Picking up any toys, limbs, rocks or other debris in your yard, driveway, walkways and patios
• Filling in any holes in the ground and/or repairing any holes in the fencing surrounding your yard
• Wearing protective eyewear, gloves and clothing that covers your limbs
• Lifting any heavy objects by using your hips and knees rather than your back
• Changing tasks every 30 minutes or so to avoid a repetitive-use injury
• Having someone else hold the ladder in place, if you need to climb on one
• Staying hydrated if you’re outside for a prolonged time
• Wearing appropriate sunscreen and/or bug spray

Staying Safe Around the Food and Fun

Now that the yard is pristine and devoid of anything that a guest could trip over, it’s time to move on to the two areas that people will likely be gathered around the most: the food and the pool.

It’s imperative that you avoid barbecue incidents by keeping everyone (including pets) that isn't the grill master away from the grill while it’s in use and until it cools down completely. Likewise, use the appropriate tools while you’re grilling, such as a grilling mit, long-handled utensils and a thermometer to ensure the food is cooked to the appropriate temperatures before serving. If you’re serving drinks that come in glass bottles, consider having everyone pour their drinks into plastic cups and dispose of the bottles inside, so you don’t have to worry about potential glass shards around the yard and pool.

When it comes to pool safety, you want to always make sure someone is keeping an eye on the activity around it — especially if there are young children at the party, regardless of whether you’ve installed a small fence around the pool with a latching gate beforehand. In addition, ensure there are plenty of flotation devices within arm’s reach and all the children are wearing the appropriate vests and “water wings.”

Bonus tip: Before the party, ensure your pool chemicals are at the ideal level, so as not to cause eye, nose or throat irritation to any of the swimmers.

Sunburns, Bug Bites, Poison Plants, Oh My!

It wouldn’t be summertime if you didn’t have to worry about sunburns and pesky insects and plants. Fortunately, you can make your party more enjoyable for everyone by preparing beforehand and providing some solutions for your guests to use during the festivities. For example, do a little research about what poisonous plants look like and ensure your guests know those areas are off limits. Likewise, purchase some bug spray containing DEET and sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15 for your guests to use as they’d like. For the ultimate in mosquito protection, specifically, consider having a pest control professional come out and spray your yard before the party.

For more outdoor safety tips for summer, check out these high-tech innovations to make your pool safer. And don’t forget about keeping your furry family members safe, too!