Summer brings more opportunities for outdoor activities around the house. Whether you’re spending time tending to your property or just planning a “staycation” in your own backyard, BBQ, pool party, or fireside fiesta with friends and family, consider these outdoor safety measures.
Check your deck. According to a recent Consumer Report homeowners with porches or decks, cause an average of 45,000 injuries each year. Decks are an ideal gathering area, with easy access to the kitchen and close to nature.
Light the way. The rise in outdoor fireplaces has resulted in more nighttime entertaining. Prevent trips and falls by ensuring adequate landscape lighting on paths and stairways. Exterior lighting can also deter burglars.
Play safely. Since the ban on the lawn darts in 1988, we've come a long way. But almost 25% of survey respondents said they were hurt outdoors playing some sort of a yard game. Pool owners take note: Almost 300 children drown each year in pools, and thousands are injured.
Check your trees. There is nothing worse than coming home to a large limb that has fallen through your deck and poof, there goes your summer. Take the time to inspect your trees regularly. This will ensure you can catch the trees problem before it is too late. Also, we recommend having your trees trimmed regularly to ensure their health, vigor and structural safety.
Guard the grill. This is the most popular outdoor activity, but with increased grilling comes a greater frequency of unintended blazes. In fact, fire departments now respond to approximately 8,600 home fires each year involving grills. Make sure you position your barbecue grill at least 10 feet from your home and other structures. Regularly check gas valves, hoses, and connections and stand back when lighting the grill, and light gas quickly to prevent a flare-up, singed hair (haha).
Child safety. You may not think twice about letting your kids run and play in your own yard, and you shouldn't have to, but you do need to take some basic measure to ensure your yard is a safe haven for them.
* Keep all lawn and garden tools, such as rakes, out of reach of children
* Always put ladders away when you are finished using them
* Make sure your kids always wear sunscreen and reapply it frequently
* Open buckets should be stored upside down to prevent a drowning hazard if it rains
Last but not least, keep an eye on tree health. A dead or weak branch can fall on your child without warning, or break off if your child tries to climb it.
Cartwright Tree Care Crew
