Make summer safety a priority.

Summer should be a time of lighthearted amusement and no unnecessary trips to the doctor! Learn these key summer safety tips to prevent injuries while enjoying all of your favorite seasonal activities. We walk you through the basics of safe grilling, swimming, and fireworks.

Safe Grilling and BBQs

Each year, thousands of people seek medical care for injuries involving backyard grills. Reduce the risk of fires and thermal burns with these rules:

• Never use a grill indoors.
• Place your grill away from the home, and deck railings, and out from under overhanging branches and/or decorations.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Clean your grill regularly. Fat and grease buildup add fuel to the fire and can cause flare-ups.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

Smart Swimming

Ready to hit the pool? You’ll want to memorize these water safety tips beforehand. According to the CDC, about ten people die from unintentional drowning every day. Water-related injuries and deaths are highly preventable. Make sure to follow these basic rules for safe swimming and water fun:

• Make sure your children and family members are strong swimmers. Enroll in age-appropriate swimming lessons.
• Swim in designated areas with a lifeguard present.
• Don’t let anyone swim alone. Use the buddy system.
• Always supervise children near water. Accidents happen quickly so active supervision is key. Avoid distractions and maintain awareness at all times.
• Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear a life jacket.
• Avoid alcohol use.

Fireworks Safety

Our best advice for fireworks safety is? Leave them to the professionals!

If you do choose to use fireworks, the National Safety Council provides the following safety guidelines:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material
• Only Light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
• Never ignite devices in a container
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire

We hope these tips help you stay safe and have fun this summer!

If you find yourself in need of medical care, UrgentWay is here for you 7 days a week. Just walk in for fast and affordable treatment. Find a location »