The first day of summer is almost here and that means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the long, warm days up here in Maine. From days at the beach to bike rides, pool time, and trips to the local ice cream shop, summer can be the perfect time to make memories with your family. But now, more than ever, it’s important to consider safety guidelines as you plan fun-filled activities all summer long.
In addition to the common risks that we face each summer, there is now the added risk of COVID-19. We want to help you and your family stay healthy so we’ve compiled a list to help you do just that whether you’re spending your time inside or outside the house.
Water Safety
Water-related activities are very popular this time of year, but they don’t come without their risks. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children in the United States under four years old and looking away for just one minute can lead to tragedy. Even experienced adult swimmers are susceptible to a drowning accident should they become fatigued or winded. Consider these tips to help keep everyone safe no matter what body of water you’re in:
- Have everyone in your family get CPR certified — this could be life-saving.
- Start kids early when it comes to swim lessons and teach them about the dangers of recreational swimming and how to avoid them.
- Supervise children around water and never swim alone yourself.
- Install a four-sided fence around your home pool and make sure it has childproof locks.
- Wear a life jacket every time you go boating or operate a water recreational vehicle such as a Jet Ski.
- If you’re spending time at the beach, maintain proper social distancing of at least 6 feet.
Heat Safety
Heat-related illnesses are common this time of year, especially in infants, children, and the elderly. The best defense against this is prevention and there are several precautions you take to help beat the heat.
- Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car even if the windows are cracked.
- Dress in light, loose clothing.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
- Schedule outdoor activities in the early mornings or evening hours before peak sun.
- Update yourself on the symptoms of heat-related illness and seek medical attention immediately if you begin to see any.
- Wear sunscreen any time you’re outside and consider wearing a UV protection shirt and/or hat.
General Outdoor Safety
No matter what activity you plan to participate in this summer, there are a few additional risks that can cause serious harm to you or your family. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and reduce your risk of injury or illness.
- Use an effective insect repellent and stay away from any high-risk mosquito areas.
- Check yourself and other family members for ticks when you come in from being outside.
- Supervise kids around all play equipment, stairs and particularly hard surfaces such as cement and hardtops.
- Maintain safe social distancing of at least 6 feet.
- If you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, limit your gathering to the number of people allowed by local officials.
- Wash your hands before, during, and after going to public places.
- Reduce the number of hazards in your backyard — only use grills at a safe distance from your home and never leave a fire unattended, pick up any toys and trip hazards, and install a fence if you have small children and/or pets.
We hope these tips help you protect you and your family all summer. For information on the Patrons Oxford response to COVID-19, please visit our website. We are in this together, and together we will continue to endure these challenging times.
If you have more questions about a current or future policy, please visit our website to find a local agent near you: https://patrons.com/find-agent.htm