Summer Safety Guide

Summer Safety Guide

Aug 03 2018

Summer Safety Guide

Summer is in full swing, time to get out and enjoy the warm weather and longer days! Between all of the beach days and BBQ’s, we unfortunately know that summer also brings with it many unique risks. Here at Bearingstar Insurance, we want to help you keep your summer fun and safe, which is why we’re offering up a few tips to help you at home and when you’re out and about.

Grilling Safety

Burgers and hotdogs on the grill may be the unofficial smell of summer, but it’s important to keep certain safety measures in mind every time you light up the grill. Remember to always keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your home or any structures, like a shed or garage. Make sure to look up and around when setting up your grill as well — avoid placing your grill under any low hanging branches or shrubbery. It’s also a good idea to have a designated grilling zone, where pets and children are not allowed. This can help minimize your risk of an accident or injury. Find more grilling tips on our blog here.

Water Safety

Do you spend your summer days at the beach or lounging by a pool? While this is a great way to cool off, it can be dangerous if you’re not following proper water safety techniques. Here are some tips to keep you safe at the beach or pool.

At the beach:

  • If you plan to swim, make sure there is a lifeguard on duty.
  • Always check water conditions before going in. A lifeguard is a great resource for this, but many beaches also use a flag system to notify the public of common beach hazards, like rip currents or marine pest presence.
  • Always have a swim buddy when swimming in the ocean.
  • Obey all posted signs and flags when you are at the beach.
  • If you are with children, keep a close eye on them and do not let them get in the water unsupervised.

At the pool:

  • Keep the pool deck clear of toys and swim accessories to minimize the risk of a slip and fall.
  • Follow all pool rules — like ‘no running’ or ‘no diving’.
  • If children are swimming, there should always be an adult actively supervising. If there are multiple adults around, designate one adult to watch the swimmers.
  • If adults are not present, the pool should be closed off. Use pool covers and gates to keep animals and children out of the pool unsupervised.
  • Teach children to avoid playing or swimming near drains or suction outlets.

Heat Safety

Summer temperatures can pose a health risk if proper precautions are not taken. If you have to be outside on a hot day, make sure to drink lots of water and to wear loose, light colored clothing. While it’s best to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during periods of extreme heat, if you have to work outside, take frequent breaks and try to slow down to minimize your risk of heat exhaustion. Check in on neighbors, family, or friends who may need help. And remember, never leave a child or pet alone in a hot car.

Get Around Safely

As the temperatures increase, so do the number of pedestrians and bikers on and along our roadways. Follow these road rules to keep everyone safe.

As a driver, you should always:

  • Be mindful of pedestrians, especially in highly populated areas like parks and shopping centers.
  • Keep an eye out for bikers, especially when turning, merging lanes, or exiting your vehicle roadside. Never pass a biker if there is not enough space to safely do so. Remember, bikers are allowed to take up a full travel lane.
  • Never drive while distracted — find more distracted driving avoidance tips on our blog here.

If you are walking:

  • Don’t walk when distracted! Put the phone down and stay alert to your surroundings.
  • Always use designated crosswalks, especially when crossing busy roads.
  • Never try to cross the street between parked cars. This decreases your visibility to passing drivers and can lead to an accident.

If you are biking:

  • Obey traffic laws. Never use your phone while biking.
  • Use proper hand signals to let drivers know what you are planning to do.
  • Use bike lanes whenever possible. Avoid riding too close to parked cars.

Rental Car

Are you planning a big summer vacation? If getting a rental car is part of your plan, take the time to talk to your local insurance agent to figure out what insurance coverage you have, and what coverage you might need. In some cases, you may have certain coverages through your personal car insurance policy, but the only way to know for sure is to check with your insurance agent. Find more details in our rental car blog here.

We hope these tips help you have a safer summer! If you’re looking for more advice on protecting what matters to you, feel free to visit our website to connect with a local agent near you: http://bit.ly/2GvLIQX

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