Summer is in full swing, and it makes sense that many are spending a lot of their time outside either enjoying the sun, working in the yard, or sitting by the pool. There is so much to take advantage of these summer months, a lot of which can be enjoyed right in our own backyards! To keep your children and family safe, EyeTemp has put together some tips below to ensure you can enjoy your time at home in the safest ways possible:
Plants and landscaping
To keep your yard in good shape, regular maintenance is often needed. In attempt to keep your yard looking well-kept, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check your yard for poisonous plants. The most common ones include:
- Poison ivy: This plant grows as either a vine or low shrub and has clusters of three leaves.
- Poison oak: Has a very similar resemblance to poison ivy except its leaves have more rounded edges and tend to grow on the trunks of oak trees.
- Keep children and pets out of the yard when lawn mowing or weed whacking to avoid potential injury.
- If using pesticides or weed-killers, make sure to read instructions from the packaging. It is recommended to keep children and pets off of the grass for at least 48 hours after application.
Grill and Fire Pit Safety
- To prevent fires, make sure your barbecue and/or fire pit are in safe locations. This means keeping them away (around 10 feet) from any overhanging branches, brush, railings, outdoor furniture or flammable materials.
- Apply EyeTemp to your grill to alert you of dangerous temperatures or if the appliance has been left on.
- Regularly clean your grill by removing grease buildup and replacing the tray beneath in order to prevent a grill fire.
- When you are done using a fire pit, make sure to extinguish the flames. You can do this by either dumping water or sand onto it.
Pool Safety
According to the CDC , almost 3,500 fatal drowning’s occur each year. As enjoyable as pools can be, there are many safety precautions to take, especially if you have younger children:
- Always supervise young children while they are in the water. Never leave them unattended even if it is for a short amount of time.
- Enclose your pool with a four-sided gate to prevent any children or pets from entering while there is no adult supervision.
- Teach your kids how to swim, or send them to swim lessons to make sure they understand basic water safety.
- Regularly apply sunscreen and stay hydrated throughout the day to avoid both sun poisoning and heat exhaustion.
Play Equipment Safety
A great way to keep children entertained during the summer is by backyard play equipment. Take the following steps to ensure swing sets or trampolines are secure and being used properly:
- Supervise children while they are on play equipment by checking on them regularly. Always keep them in eyes view.
- Place any play equipment on flat ground and on top of wood chips or any other material that will cushion a fall.
- Make sure all play equipment is sturdy and in good shape by checking for any loose screws, rust, or large openings that children could possibly fall through.
Keeping these tips in mind, EyeTemp hopes that you and your families can ensure safety at home this summer!
