5 Ways to Stay Safe this Summer

Lawn mowers whirring, ice cream trucks cruising through the neighborhood, children splashing around in the pool … all unmistakable signs that it’s summertime once again! 

The official summer season has just begun and many of us have already long ditched our coats, hats and gloves in favor of bathing suits, T-shirts and flip flops. June is also National Safety Month as well as Summer Safety Month, so it’s a good time to reinforce some simple safety reminders so you can enjoy the warmer months in whatever way you celebrate summer.

Here are five ways to stay safe this summer:

1. Inside your home: with kids out of school and many of us working from home, now is a great time to make sure your home is a safe place for work or play. Test your smoke alarms, install carbon monoxide detectors, check for electrical hazards, check your sump pump, and have your air conditioner inspected.

The National Safety Council has made a recent push to bring awareness to musculoskeletal disorders, which result from exposure to repetitive movements, awkward or static postures and forceful exertions. Consider investing in ergonomic chairs and desks and take stretch breaks to avoid injuries and strains.

1. Outside your home: if you plan on being outdoors as much as possible, then be sure to drink plenty of fluids during the day, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out, and wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB light.

1. In the car: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 660,000 drivers use cell phones or other electronic devices while driving during the day, so be sure to turn off your devices and keep them out of reach. Encourage your teen drivers to be responsible drivers. And, of course, always wear your seatbelt! 

1. On the water: whether you’re at the pool, on the beach, or out boating, remember to always provide adult supervision if children are in the water. If out boating for the day, make sure everyone wears a life jacket.  

1. Learn a safety skill: although accidents happen in all seasons, summer is when we’re most active, so learning how to perform CPR, change a tire, or use a fire extinguisher are all important safety skills for the summer season. You can find more safety courses at the Red Cross. 

And if you haven’t given your auto or home insurance a spring cleaning to get ready for summer, then your local Rockingham agent is happy to work with you for all your insurance needs to keep you and your family safe this summer!