Pools, barbecues, and outdoor recreation are all necessities of summer. But extra safety measures to protect you and your family are also necessary during the hotter months. Here are a few home, outdoor, and personal safety tips to help you have a safe summer in honor of June being National Safety Month.
Outside the Home
Clean up your garage: To prevent damage and potential fires from overheating, bring any liquids, paint, or other flammables inside to a cooler area. Additionally, now is a wonderful opportunity to clean up any dust and debris to keep pests and unexpected threats at bay. Additionally, make sure the panels, weather stripping, and garage door are all securely fastened.
Maintain a tidy lawn: The summer is the ideal season to add new flowers and plants to your property, but it’s crucial to keep them low to prevent providing hiding places for sneaky burglars. Increase the number of lights in your yard to add decoration and light up the shadowy areas around your house. For further security, install cameras and motion detectors outside your home to receive notifications about what is going there.
Clean the pool: Before going for a swim, have your home pool thoroughly and professionally cleaned. Be sure to have a professional test the water, clean, and vacuum your pool because bacteria can accumulate over time. For the protection of your family, don’t forget to replace drain covers, pool gates, childproof coverings, and other equipment. See our pool safety checklist for further tips.
Inside the Home
Install a home security system: Getting a home security system is always a good idea, but installing one before a trip is recommended. When you are away from home, security systems provide you the peace of mind that everything is okay. You’ll be able to remotely monitor your sensors, cameras, and other smart home devices via a mobile app. In case sensors are triggered while you are gone and need help from emergency responders, you should also inquire about expert monitoring.
Replace the batteries in your smoke detector: According to experts, you should examine your home smoke detector and do so at least twice a year. For the protection of your family, it’s crucial to have a functioning detector that can instantly notify you if there is smoke or a fire. A professionally monitored detector will allow monitoring specialists to send emergency help right away if the detector is triggered, so it’s a good idea to ask your home security provider about one now.
Check your doors and windows twice: This is an excellent time to make sure your window screens are intact and that you don’t need to buy new screens or locks. Small tears in displays might serve as bug entry points. And latches and doorknobs can provide criminals with simple access to your house. Don’t forget to make sure patio screens and latches are secure as well.
On Family Vacations
Before you leave town: Ensure sure your doors and windows are shut securely to secure your home. To deceive robbers into believing you are home, think about creating automated timers for your lights to come on and go off. In order to avoid identity theft and probable break-ins, it is preferable to halt mail until your return if you will be gone for longer than a day.
Never share your location: If you check into places and disclose your whereabouts while you’re away, burglars may be able to determine when you’re not at home. Posting films and pictures should be postponed until you get home. Also, take care not to post pre-departure messages indicating how long you’ll be gone and when you’ll be back because this allows burglars more time to plan. Instead, let close relatives and friends know your plans and whereabouts so they can ensure your safety.
Be aware of your surroundings: Know where you are and how to safely return to your accommodation. Bring a spare phone charger in case you need to call for directions or an emergency contact. Exploring is great, but do your homework on the places you’re going so you can be aware of any customs or laws that differ from those in your native country before you go. Keep a tight eye on the things you brought with you and your possessions.
During Outdoor Activities
Remain hydrated: Both adults and children are susceptible to heat-related diseases during the summer. Before venturing outside, every 20 minutes while outside, and after entering the air conditioning, make sure you’re properly hydrated. To keep their kids safe, parents should be aware of the symptoms of dehydration, which include low energy levels, less pee than usual, and drowsiness.
Pay attention to traffic and road signs: As more families are playing outside as the warmer months approach. It’s crucial to teach kids to pay close attention to traffic signs and incoming cars when they’re biking or walking. To reduce distractions, teach kids to put their phones away while they are riding their bikes, strolling, or just hanging out near traffic.
Reach, throw, don’t go: Summertime is a popular time for water sports, but they can be risky. Your initial inclination might be to dive in to assist if you notice someone suffering in a lake or swimming pool. However, you can be endangering your own life. Instead, heed the advice and toss them a piece of water safety equipment that has been authorized by the Australian safety standards. Pull them to safety as soon as they latch on.