Enjoy the Outdoors with These Summer Safety Tips

Tips to keep friends and family safe outside this summer.

With kids out of school and sunshine (usually) in abundance, the summer months are the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. As the song says, the living may be easy, but accidents can happen at any time. With just a bit of planning, you can keep your family and friends safe and make wonderful summer memories.

Follow these tips to keep your outdoor activities as carefree as the season.

Stay Safe in and Around the Pool

Pools offer fun, especially on a hot day. But they can also be deadly. More than 4,000 people drown every year, and drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. New York City offers free swim lessons for children and adults.

Keep the fun going and avoid potential tragedy by following these tips:

Inspect the fence around your pool. If you own a pool, you probably had to construct a fence that meets certain standards set by local ordinances and your homeowners insurance provider. Now’s a good time to ensure that curious children can’t open the fence. Also, confirm that the self-latching and self-closing mechanisms work properly.
Think about where you place your furniture. Furniture positioned near a fence, such as a picnic bench, could tempt a child to climb over it.
Consider installing a pool alarm. These alarms alert parents or caregivers when someone (including a small child) enters or approaches the pool. A floating alarm can also alert you if anyone or anything lands in the water.
Keep rescue equipment nearby. Place life preservers, throw rings or rescue poles on a nearby fence so that they are easily visible and can be accessed quickly in an emergency. Make sure family members know how to use them.
Store pool toys after use. Scattered toys can turn an otherwise secure and safe pool area into a hazard for children, making it an attractive nuisance that draws them near the pool.
Ensure that all drains are equipped with drain covers that meet safety standards. Malfunctioning, loose, or missing drain covers can create a powerful suction that can trap and drown children or other non-agile swimmers.
Store pool chemicals in a secure area. The storage area should have a high shelf or a locked door to keep these substances out of children’s reach.

Stay Safe Around Grills and Fire Pits

Grilling is a great way to eat well, enjoy lazy summer days, and avoid heating up the kitchen. Hanging out by fire pits, with or without s’mores, has also become popular in recent years. To keep family members and guests safe around an open flame or fuel source, agree to these safety rules ahead of time.

Outdoor Fire Safety

Follow these general outdoor fire safety rules:

Keep your grill or fire pit at least 10 feet away from any structure, including your home
Position the grill or fire pit in a well-ventilated area
Keep a fire extinguisher, hose, water barrel or sand nearby
Never leave an operational grill or fire pit unattended

Grill Safety

If you enjoy grilling, keep the following precautions in mind:
Wear protection on your hands as you season or place food
Avoid garments with loose, hanging sleeves or shirt tails; tie apron strings in the back
Control flames by keeping a spray bottle filled with water handy
Clean the grill after every use to avoid grease build-up, which can catch fire

For grills that use propane or natural gas, secure all the connection points. Visually inspect the gas hose for abrasion and wear. Also, check for leaks by spraying the hose with a soap and water solution and turning on the gas. Bubbles indicate a leak. After grilling, double-check that the gas is turned off.

While homeowner insurance policies typically cover injuries and property damage, it’s always better to prevent accidents in the first place.

Clear Away Clutter and Monitor Pet Interactions

The high energy of outdoor activities can make it tough to keep track of everyone, including furry household members. Again, prevention should be a top priority. Look for any tools and toys lying around and put them away. Block off or call attention to potential hazards, such as slick or uneven spots near the pool.

Consider keeping anxious pets inside and away from guests during social gatherings. Negative pet interactions can be traumatic, and the medical expenses for dog bites and related injuries can be high. Take steps to prevent potential accidents and keep your property as safe as possible. Although homeowners’ insurance typically covers dog bites under personal liability and medical payments coverage, not all policies and companies do. Some companies and policies exclude coverage for certain breeds. Many policies also won’t cover injuries caused by a dog with a history of aggression.

If you let your dog roam on a lead, make sure the pup can’t go far enough to get into trouble. Don’t forget to check on your pet regularly; an outdoor lead is not a babysitter.

Clean Up Storm Damage

Summer storms can be severe, leaving a mess that’s potentially dangerous to owners and guests. You can’t control the weather or storm damage, but you can prevent the aftermath from injuring your family and guests.

Protect your home from the elements and keep your outdoor living areas safe by following these tips:

Pick up branches and other debris so that adults and children can walk around safely.
Assess your roof to make sure the shingles aren’t cracked or crumbling.
Clean your gutters and look for signs that they overflow during thunderstorms. (This is a common cause of water damage, mold and mildew growth, pest infestation, drainage and foundation issues, and siding damage). Ignoring minor gutter issues can mean major damage and expenses down the road.
Trim tall trees and shrubs.
Remove tree branches that overhang your home, parking area and outdoor living spaces. Contact your local utility company if any branches are near power lines.

Protect Your Household from Ticks

Already, the 2025 tick season is off to a record-breaking start here in the Northeast, with more tick-related visits to emergency rooms than ever before. Even if you stay in your backyard and avoid hiking trails, you should still take precautions:

Avoid wooded areas with leaf litter.
Mow tall grass that can create a tick habitat.
Use insect repellent and/or treat clothing.
Check family members, pets and yourself when you come inside.
Shower soon after coming inside.
Wash clothing and dry on high heat, which kills ticks.
Keep long-haired pets well-trimmed to protect them from ticks and high temperatures.
Consult a medical professional for any unexplained fever or rash.

If you’re planning to add a pool, spa, built-in grill, or other major outdoor project, or if you would like a free insurance review, please call us at 877-576-5200.