5 Summer Home Safety Tips You Need to Know

By Meri-K  Appy  
President of the Home Safety Council, PARADE

Summer is a great time for outdoor fun and home improvement projects, but it's also a time for accidents in and around the home. Whether you and the kids are playing in the pool or you're mowing the lawn, follow these tips for a safe and healthy summer.

First, make sure your children are at a safe distance from the mower. Then prevent injuries with the following:
 

Hearing Protection:  Noisy power tools like lawnmowers and weed whippers can produce sound levels higher than 85 decibels and can damage your hearing.  Options range from the most basic ear plugs to more substantial earmuffs.  
 

Eye Protection:  Proper safety eyewear is also a must to protect yourself from projectiles and debris that the lawnmower may kick up.  Choose some that offer UV protection for outdoor tasks. There are some great options now that are designed for performance and comfort and they’re stylish too.

This time of year, homeowners may be using many products that could be poisonous, especially for children and pets. These include things that are used outside to care of the lawn, garden, pools and spas. 
 
Read the labels of products you buy and keep in your home. If you see the words, “Caution,” “Warning,” “Danger,” “Poison” or “Keep Out of Reach of Children,” be very careful and store these products in a place where children cannot see or touch them, using child safety locks or latches.

When using harsh products such as chemicals and pesticides, follow directions. For example, use gloves, eye goggles and respirators if the label says so.

 

Maintain a singular focus when supervising children in the water. Designate a “Water Watcher” – a responsible adult to actively supervise children without being distracted. No phone calls, text messages, reading a book or magazine. 

Install a fence that goes all the way around the pool, is at least four feet high, and has a self-closing and self-latching gate. Keep the pool locked when no adult is on duty to supervise.

Only use the grill outdoors; position the grill well away from siding, deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches and a safe distance from play areas and foot traffic.

  
Keep children and pets away from the grill area by declaring a 3-foot “kid-free-zone” around the grill.

This is the time of year that people are doing more home improvement and maintenance projects around the house and you should always think about having the right tools in your toolbox.  That includes safety products.

It’s as simple as making sure you have protection products on hand, such as safety eyewear, hearing and respiratory protection, and then USE them! People can check out options designed with fashion, function, comfort and affordability in mind at www.3MTEKK.com.