Fun in the Sun
This week’s focus is staying safe while participating in our favorite summertime activities. Remember to watch out for signs of heat injuries.
Monday, June 3
Safe Barbecuing
- Keep your grill outside and away from the house, trees, and deck rail.
- Charcoal and gas can produce carbon monoxide and other toxins
- Read the owner’s manual
- Make sure your grill is assembled and operated correctly
- Protect yourself
- Wear gloves, use proper utensils, and avoid loose fitting clothing
- Keep grill clean
- Man the fire
- Never leave unattended when flames are present or hot
- Start grill with lid open
- Lighting while closed can cause a dangerous buildup of gas
- Be responsible with lighter fluid
- Only use it when starting the grill
- Check Gas lines
- Conduct a gas leak test at the beginning of the season and inspect propane tanks
- Use right cords
- Properly grounded outdoor extension cord for electric grill or starter
- Shut down grill correctly
- Turn off burner and fuel supply
- Wait for charcoal to cool before disposing
Tuesday, June 4
Swim Safety
- Always swim with a partner.
- Never allow young children to swim without adult supervision.
- Never swim when you are tired or under the influence.
- Know and observe your swimming limitation and capabilities.
- Avoid swift moving water.
- If caught, swim with it and angle toward the shore or edge of the current.
- Observe warning signs.
- Stay out of the water during thunderstorms and severe weather.
- Secure pools with a barrier.
- Avoid distraction when supervising children.
- If a child is missing, check the water first.
- Have appropriate equipment.
- Reaching or throwing devices, cell phone, life jacket, and a first aid kit.
- Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid, and CPR/AED courses.
- Protect your skin with sunscreen and limit the amount of time in the sun.
- Drink water.
Rip Currents:
A rip current is a strong channel of water flowing seaward from the shore. It can occur at any beach with breaking waves.
How to escape rip currents:
- Relax. Don’t swim back to shore directly against a rip. You risk exhaustion and drowning.
- Calmly float or tread water to conserve energy. Swim parallel to the shore until you are outside the rip or in a diagonal direction toward the shore.
- Swim where lifeguards are present.
Wednesday, June 5
Boating Safety
Operating a boat requires concentrated skill and a keen sense of awareness in the boat and on water. A clear head and a responsible outlook are necessary to make a day on the water as smooth and as safe as possible.
- Don’t overload
- Check the boat manufacturer’s capacity plate
- Know your boat
- Know what it can and can’t do
- Keep a good lookout and situational awareness of other boats and objects
- Ensure crew and passengers wear a USCG approved personal flotation device
- Operate at safe and legal speeds
- Know and respect the weather
- Avoid Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
Take a boating safety course for operational and safety instruction
Thursday, June 6
Bicycle Safety
Bicycle crashes result in 800-900 deaths each year. 90% of bicycle related deaths involve collisions with motor vehicles.
Before Riding:
- Inspect your bicycle
- Always wear a helmet
- Inflate tires properly
- Check your brakes
While Riding:
- See and be seen
- Carry emergency tools, snacks, and water
- Avoid riding at night
- Ride single file with traffic and obey traffic signs
- Use hand signals
- Stay alert to road hazards
- Watch for motorists
Stay out of driver’s blind spots
Friday, June 7
Personal Discussion
Share how you safely have fun in the sun!
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