The first day of summer, June 21, is swiftly approaching. The pool begins to beckon and the grills get fired up. With the weather promoting these activities, we decided to share some tips and guidelines to help you play safely!
The Pool Party
While pools can keep you cool during the summer and give the kids something to do, they also increase your liability risk. The first thing you should do when purchasing a house with a pool or making plans to install a pool is to talk with your insurance agent. Ask about an umbrella policy as an added layer of protection. To find out more information, call Taylor agency today to speak with
one of our agents.
Some safety tips for your pool are as follows:
- Establish safety rules! Everyone sees the rules posted at a public pool. Why wouldn’t you post safety rules at home?
- Educate yourself on swim safety. Learning rescue skills and CPR can be the difference between life and death someday.
- Installing a fence can help prevent unwanted pool guests or deter moseying toddlers from entering the pool unsupervised.
- Account for the weather. Just because the pool water is cool doesn’t always mean that it is safe to be outside. Stay hydrated and monitor the temperature when swimming. Don’t stay in the heat for too long to avoid heat stress.
The Cookout
Fire is responsible for some of the most severe damages to homes and other structures according to the Insurance Information Institute. In particular, grill fires are responsible for millions of dollars in damages, about 100 injuries, and around 10 deaths annually. Nearly 60% of grill fires occur during the summer months of May, June, July, and August with the leading cause being mechanical failure or malfunction. (U.S. Fire Administration).
Here are some safety measures you can take:
- Maintain your grill! Checking for leaks, blockages, or other broken elements can help prevent malfunctioning equipment.
- While using your grill, keeping it on a level surface and not moving it can help prevent the grill from tipping over and causing a fire.
- Be sure that you have the proper tools on you or nearby. Wearing protective gear like mittens and an apron can help prevent burns while keeping a fire extinguisher nearby can assist in putting out an unwanted fire.
- When you have finished with your grill, make sure that it has completely cooled before storing it away. See your specific grill instructions for proper storage.
As always, speak to your insurance agent about the coverage you have concerning pools and grills. After you have established safety measures and protective plans, enjoy your summer!
