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 Summer Safety
Those lazy days of summer are finally here bringing lots of
warm sunshine and the great outdoors. With all the fun to be had it’s easy to
forget how important safety is at this time of year.
To help you and your family stay safe this summer, the
Ontario Real Estate Association and your local Realtor offer the follow summer
safety tips.
Beat the Heat
Before heading outdoors for a day of fun, be sure you’ve
applied sunscreen and take along a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the
sun’s harmful rays. If you’ll be enjoying water sports, use a waterproof
sunscreen and reapply it throughout the day.
Staying hydrated in the heat, especially if you will be
participating in active outdoor sports like soccer, volleyball or running is
vital. Drink plenty of water and natural fruit juices throughout the day to
replace the fluids lost to the heat and activity. Without proper fluid intake,
dehydration and heatstroke can occur.
Don’t get bugged
To avoid nasty mosquito and other bug bites this summer,
always apply a bug repellent containing DEET. Take along a small spray can or
pump bottle of repellent and reapply it later in the day to ensure its
effectiveness lasts.
Wearing long sleeves and light-coloured, loose-fitting
clothing also helps. As well, avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk if possible
which is when mosquitoes are at their worst.
Pool safety
Each year a number of children drown in backyard swimming
pools so attention to safety is critical. Before beginning your swimming season,
review the importance of strict safety guidelines with every member of the
family. Be sure everyone knows the rules and informs any guests of those rules
too. You may even want to consider taking a pool safety course from your local
Red Cross. Here are some pool safety guidelines from Health Canada.
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Build a fence and a gate that will keep children away
from your pool. Keep the gate locked at all times.
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ALWAYS have an adult watching children in and around the
pool.
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Children under the age of 3 and children who cannot swim
must wear a life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device).
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Send children to swimming and water safety lessons.
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Make sure lifesaving equipment and a first aid kit are
handy.
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Take a course on pool safety, first aid and lifesaving
skills (such as CPR).
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Have emergency phone numbers listed at the telephone
closest to the pool.
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Make sure toys, garden furniture and tools are not near
the pool fence. Children can climb up on these things to get into the pool.
To learn more about water safety and learn to swim programs,
please call your local Canadian Red Cross Society, or the local Branch Office of
the Lifesaving Society.
More swimming safety
Lake safety
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Never go swimming or out on a lake alone. Make sure
someone on shore knows where you're going and when to expect you back.
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Know your limits. Don't try to prove a point around
water. You may be testing more than your ability to perform a trick.
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Swim safely. Never swim in an area frequented by
motorized watercraft. Make sure you can be seen and swim along the shore
rather than away from it.
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Learn to "drown proof." Even strong swimmers can tire or
suffer a cramp. Knowing how to rest while afloat may save your life.
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Watch the weather. Never swim or enter the water in an
electrical storm. Lightning striking the water can have deadly consequences.
Boating safety
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If possible, take a companion on every outing on the
water. If you have to go alone, make sure someone on shore knows where
you're going and when to expect you to return.
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Wear a lifejacket at all times. You never know when you
might fall overboard. A lifejacket can save your life, especially if you are
rendered unconscious or are injured in the fall.
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Know the waterway. If possible, equip yourself with
charts and a depth finder.
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Keep an eye on the weather. Be prepared for storms and be
able to seek shelter from the elements.
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Don't overload your boat and never stand in a small boat.
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Avoid the use of alcohol.
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Always carry a first aid kit and a full array of safety
equipment. By learning life-saving techniques like artificial respiration
and CPR, you can be ready for any emergency. Contact your nearest St. John
Ambulance branch for more information.
With just a little forethought and planning, you can make
your summer a safe, happy and enjoyable one.
This article is provided by local Realtors and the Ontario
Real Estate Association (OREA) for the benefit of consumers in the real estate
market.
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