Summertime Safety Tips and Hints

A Southern Californian summer means long days of bright sunlight and hot asphalt. No better time of the year is there, though, to spend time with friends and family outdoors, finding ways to enjoy each other’s company and beat the heat. You may even already be planning a couple ventures that you normally wouldn’t consider in the colder seasons. But for all the unique fun the summer brings around, it can also create some unique hazards. To keep everyone in your group safe and sound, keep these summertime safety tips in mind.

If you are planning to go hiking:

• Bring first aid equipment, emergency gear such as a two-way radio, flares and rations, and plenty of water; dehydration and heatstroke are two of the biggest dangers in the summer.
• Know the layout of your trail ahead of time, set a clear course, and do not deviate from it; if you do get lost, remember to stay put and wait for rescue, rather than wandering more.
• Exercise frequently before your outing to ensure you are in good physical shape and have the stamina required for hiking steep paths.

If you are planning to go camping:

• Familiarize yourself with wildlife that may be in the area and how to defuse any encounter safely; never leave your campsite alone.
• Tell any park rangers how many people are in your party, where you will be, and when you will be leaving, and provide them with emergency contact information.
• Don’t forget to acquire any necessary permits to use campgrounds, fish, hunt, and so on; don’t hurt your wallet by getting a citation.

If you are planning on swimming:

• Never run around the edge of a pool; slip and falls are one of the top causes of drowning deaths and injury at pools, public and private.
• Do not let anyone into the pool without floatation devices if they do not know how to swim; always supervise young children.
• If you are not at a public pool, you may wish to bring someone along who knows CPR.

If you are planning on having a barbeque:

• Remember to use caution when lighting grills and fire pits; keep a water source nearby to extinguish any stray or uncontrolled flames.
• Never use a barbeque inside a home, garage, or other enclosed or partially enclosed space; always ensure proper ventilation is available to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Undercooked chicken or cross-contaminated cooking areas can cause food poisoning from salmonella; reference a reliable cookbook or recipe if you are not sure how thoroughly you must cook your chicken, or how to maintain a clean cooking space.

You may be completely careful when it comes to planning your summertime events but will your friends and family? If you are hurt while enjoying an outdoor activity and you have reason to believe that someone else is to blame, contact me, San Fernando Valley Personal Injury Attorney Joel Parker. I have been helping people in similar situations since 1976 and I would be happy to do the same for you. Just call 888.763.9578 and we can discuss your case during a free initial consultation.