are you following these summer safety tips?

It’s hard to believe that Summer is already here! I am sure families have loads of fun summer activities planned.  As you dust off the grill, clean out the fire pit and uncover the pool, remember these tips to keep everyone in the family safe.  

Grill Safety  

Safe Kids Worldwide has these tips to keep your kids safe around grills:  

• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Ensure the grill is a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic. 
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill. 
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flames can flashback up into the container and explode. 
• Grill only outdoors- If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as garages or tents, barbecue grills pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to carbon monoxide. 
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a 3-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill. 
• Never leave the grill unattended while cooking. The number one cause of residential fires is unattended cooking. 

Bonfire Safety  

The National Park Service recommends these tips when around outdoor fire pits, campfires and bonfires:  

before you start the fire: 

• Check the weather conditions and make sure it isn’t too windy to have a fire. Wind can cause the fire to be unpredictable.  
• Clear brush and debris from around the fire area.  
• Make sure to have water nearby before you start your fire.   
• Space seating around 6 feet from the fire.   

while enjoying the fire: 

• Supervise all children near the fire pit, don’t allow running near or around the fire. 
• Refrain from throwing trash or other items into the fire, especially items like pressurized cans, or items containing flammable materials.   

at the end of the night: 

• Let the fire burn low and wait until all flames are extinguished.  
• Douse the hot coals with water.  Embers from the pit stay alive for up to 48 hours under the ash and many children are injured walking through a fire pit they think is cold. 
• Ensure all coals are completely out before leaving the fire.  

Pool Safety 

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends swim lessons to prevent drowning. Here are some other helpful tips around water:  

• Dedicate a water watcher.  This is one adult who does nothing but watch the children in the water. No cell phone scanning, no chatting with a friend. Trade off every 15 minutes with another adult to avoid fatigue. Lifeguards may be at a pool for emergencies, 
• Teach kids to swim. Children as young as four months can be taught to flip over on their back and float if they fall in the water. Don’t rely on “floaties.” They only provide a false sense of security. As they get older, swim lessons can add to their water survival skills. Five water survival skills they should know are: 
• step or jump into water over their heads and return to the surface 
• float or tread water for one minute 
• turn around in a full circle and find an exit 
• swim 25 yards to exit the water 
• exit the water. 
• Never let kids swim alone. Keep young children within arm’s reach of an adult. Older kids and adults still need a buddy in the water with them because even the most confident swimmers can struggle sometimes.   
• For large backyard pools, install gates, fences, or other barriers with locks. For smaller pools, drain after each use. 

We hope you have a fun, safe kick off to summer.  If you are planning a road trip- check out this article for more safety tips!