Backyard BBQs and family get-togethers are popular this time of year as family and friends enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Unfortunately, many accidental fires occur during these get-togethers. You need to take certain precautions to keep everyone safe and happy during your BBQ.
Use these tips to prevent fires and keep your backyard BBQ’s safe and fun for all:
- Keep children away from the grilling area
- Don’t place any flammable objects near the grill
- Don’t wear loose clothing when grilling that can catch fire
- Keep pets out of the area that might be tempted by the smell
- Double check the grill for gas leaks and loose connectors
- Turn off the gas immediately after cooking
- Only use lighter fluid in the recommended amount when lighting charcoal
- Never add lighter fluid to charcoal that is already burning
These are simple tips that can help reduce the risk of fires that can ruin your BBQ and injure guests. A few preventative measures can go a long way to preventing backyard BBQ fires.
Spring has finally arrived and it’s time to get outside and enjoy the weather. Swimming, BBQ’s and just sitting outside soaking up the sun is on everyone’s mind. However, many accidents are reported each year that could have been prevented if backyard safety rules had been enforced. Here are a few safety tips for kids and adults to help keep your backyard safer this year.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in the summer and many of them occur right in our own backyards. If you have a pool, make sure small children do not have access to it without the supervision of an adult and supervise older kids as well to be on the safe side. Prevent sunburn by using sunscreen and limiting the amount of time spent in the sun.
Falls is a big cause of accidents especially for kids. They can trip over debris and skin their knees or even break a bone. You can reduce the risk of falls by making sure your backyard is clear of debris, tools and other objects and by keeping the grass mowed.
Other problems that you may run into include minor burns, bee stings, insect bites and cuts. Have your first aid kit ready and fully stocked with first-aid cream and bandages so you’ll be ready to take care of these minor problems when they occur.
In the winter, one of the main causes of injuries such as breaks and strains is ice and snow on walkways and porches. These are accidents that can be prevented if you take a few minutes to prepare theses areas for the ice and snow before the bad weather moves in. Preparing for the winter weather in advance can save you a lot of time and effort. This nasty mess will melt away on its own much faster if it even sticks at all and you won’t have to deal with shoveling snow and trying to burst up ice.
Start by paying attention to the weather so you won’t be caught off guard. When you know there is a chance of freezing rain, snow or ice, you can use a de-icing compound such as rock salt on these areas to prevent the ice and snow from sticking and they won’t need to be cleaned off later. You can also sprinkle sand on these areas to keep them from getting slick and freezing over.
Porches and walkways are colder and will freeze over much faster than the actual lawn. This makes it very dangerous for you to maneuver around the outside of your home. It’s also the main reason why so many people are injured each winter simply from walking around outside or trying to walk to their vehicles.
Taking the time to implement a few safety precautions can make your lawn a safer place in the winter. You may even want to place these products on your driveway as well. This way, you don’t have to worry about slipping and falling when you need to get back out on the road.
