Summer Safety: Safety Topics - June 2019 Week 1

 

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
    • Reduces flare-ups
  • 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:

  1. Relax.  Don’t swim back to shore directly against a rip.  You risk exhaustion and drowning.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
    • Watch your wake
  • Know and respect the weather
    • Heed weather warnings
  • 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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