National Safety Month Part Three: Stay Safe During Recreation

Last but not least in our series of safety tips for National Safety Month, is how to stay safe during recreation.

1. Practice Safe Swimming.  Swimming can be a great summertime activity to help stay cool, but it can also be deadly.  Never leave children unattended near a pool or in the bathtub.  Drowning is the number one cause of child deaths ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of death in children ages 5-14.  Always have children use personal flotation devices (ie “Floaties” or Life Jackets), and enroll your children in swimming classes as early as possible.
2. Use Sunscreen.  That golden tan that everyone yearns after won’t mean anything when you’re in pain from having melanoma removed from your skin.
3. Use Proper Boating Precautions.  Before heading out on the water, make sure your boat is stocked with lifejackets, whistles, a flare, and plenty of water.  We also recommend taking a boater’s safety course each Spring to prepare for boating excursions.
4. Use Utmost Caution When Grilling.  Be sure your gas grill is properly attached and there are no gas leaks.  If flames get out of hand, shut the gas valve immediately to prevent a larger fire.
5. Know How to Extinguish a Variety of Fires.  A brush fire is extinguished with water, but a grease fire is extinguished by smothering the flames.  Baking soda can also be used to get the oxygen out of the fire.