Summer is nearly here. Keep these summer safety tips in mind at home, at work, on vacation, and on the road. Now let’s have some fun and enjoy the season!
Photo credit: iStock.com/Maxfocus
Eating outside is one of my favourite things about summer – except when wasps show up. Sometimes people try to swat them away, but this is a bad idea because it provokes them to sting. See this CBC News story for more information about wasps and the importance staying calm when they’re around.
Here are some other safety tips to keep top of mind this summer.
Summer safety for pets
Tips for travelling with pets from the B.C. SPCA:
- Ensure your pet’s identification (tattoo, microchip) are up to date and registered.
- If you’re taking your pet on the road, make sure your pet has a comfortable place to lay in the car – and keep water, treats, and toys handy.
- Never leave your pet in a parked car in warm weather!
Working safely in the sun
Tips from Sun Safety at Work Canada (SSAWC):
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat stroke.
- Wear sunscreen, a hat, and loose-fitting clothes.
- Have a sun safety program at your workplace.
SSAWC also offers these tips for off-the-job sun safety:
- Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible, particularly between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when UV radiation is the strongest.
- Stay hydrated, reapply sunscreen regularly, and try to get a seat in the shade when you’re outdoors watching sports events.
- Be a good sun safety role model for your children.
See WorkSafeBC’s Heat stress page for much more information about keeping safe in the heat at work.
Road safety for summer
ICBC reminds drivers to watch for cyclists and share the road. Their tips for drivers include:
- Shoulder check for cyclists before turning right and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning left.
- Both drivers and passengers should shoulder check for cyclists before opening their vehicle door.
- Maintain at least three seconds of following distance behind cyclists and at least one metre when passing a cyclist.
Advice for cyclists includes:
- Use designated bike routes whenever possible.
- Obey all traffic signs and signals and follow the rules of the road.
- Before making any turns, shoulder check and hand signal in advance.
Drivers must Slow down in the cone zone and do their part to keep road workers safe. For longer journeys, check DriveBC to see road conditions.
Campfire safety
Fire safety tips from St. John Ambulance include:
- If you’re camping, always check with local authorities about open-air burning restrictions, read up on local burning regulations, and keep up-to-date on fire bans in the relevant area.
- Choose a campfire location that is downwind and away from your tent and belongings.
- Build your fire at least 3 metres away from standing trees, stumps and logs, and at least 15 metres away from forest debris and buildings.
Summer water safety
Safety tips from the Canadian Red Cross include:
- Empty portable toddler pools after each use.
- Be cautious about swimming in currents, and know what to do if caught in a current.
- Whether it’s a pool, the bathtub, a water park, or the beach, always watch children actively around water – even if they can swim.
These are just a few of many tips for a safe, healthy, happy summer. Do you have any to add?
