Backyard Tips For The Summer

20 Jul Backyard Tips For The Summer

More and more, people are vacationing in their own backyards. If you have turned yours into a “staycation” hot spot, here are some safety tips to consider to help keep your home fun and free of danger.

The Pool

The pool can be a refreshing way to get some relief from the hot sun. But it can also be dangerous. Get your pool swim-ready by understanding some of the most common ways accidents occur, and then learning more about proper swimming pool safety and maintenance to help prevent them:

• Unsupervised access or swimming, either by lack of close supervision or by failing to properly secure the pool to prevent entry. As a pool owner, you are responsible for making sure that access is restricted and people cannot enter pool areas unattended.
• Injury by diving or jumping improperly, or from water around the pool or deck area that may cause someone to slip and fall.
• Defective or broken spa or swimming pool components. Drains are often a dangerous pool part that can cause circulation entrapment if not properly covered. Faulty pool equipment and old pool lighting can also cause electrical shock.

Playsets

Playsets can be enjoyed by children of all ages, but damaged or weather-worn playsets can cause accidents. Stay safe by:

• Supervising children.
• Regularly checking for sturdiness, rusty bolts and wood rot, and making necessary repairs.
• Ensuring playsets do not have openings between pieces that could trap a child’s head or neck.
• Placing playsets securely on level ground and on wood chips or other soft materials to cushion falls and help prevent injuries.

Fire Pits

Warm nights are the perfect time to roast marshmallows. But out-of-control fires can cause injury. Be smart:

• Place the fire pit in a safe spot away from your home, backyard deck or low-hanging tree branches.
• Always require adult supervision around the fire pit while it is in use and until it has cooled off.
• Never leave the fire unattended.
• Use sand to fully extinguish the fire.
• Let the coals cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container.

Lawn mowers

During the spring and summer months, lawn mowers can easily cause injury. Follow these tips for safety:

• Read the mower’s manual, heed safety and operating instructions and learn the controls.
• Do not allow children to ride as passengers on a lawn mower, and be sure to keep children out of the yard while mowing.
• Clean up toys and other objects, such as rocks, from the yard to help prevent injuries from flying objects.
• Never leave a running mower unattended.
• Never operate the mower in an enclosed place where carbon monoxide can accumulate.
• Never unclog or work on a lawn mower while the engine is on or when the spark plug is connected.
• Wear non-slip shoes (no open toes or heels) and long pants.

We hope these tips are helpful and you continue to have a fun and safe summer!