Tips and Tricks for Keeping Summer Parties Safe AND Fun

Summer is here, and here at Carroll Marshall we are gearing up for plenty of fun with family and friends.  We know that many of you are looking forward to heading out to enjoy picnics, cookouts, pool parties, or vacations including trips to the beach or camping excursions over the next couple of months and we understand the excitement!

Regardless of what your summer will hold, we want to remind you to stay safe this season.  That doesn’t mean you are forced into a yawn-worthy, boring summer though!  You can have fun and still stay safe.  Here are some tips and tricks to make sure you can enjoy whatever plans you may have without any unfortunate surprise incidents.

• Don’t forget your fire safety rules.  Whether you’re camping with a large-scale fire, or simply making s’mores by your fire pit in the backyard, make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby, and be sure there are no flammable materials within a several foot distance around the flames.  Keep a close eye on any small children present since they are especially susceptible to being burned due to their height and their curiosity.  The same basic precautions should be taken for using any type of fireworks.  Allow a significant amount of space around the area where they are being fired off, and keep small children away and closely supervised.  If you are the one shooting off the fireworks, wear protective eye gear. Eye injuries are a common occurrence from fireworks gone wrong.
• Beat “the heat”, and make sure you are using caution around hot surfaces such as grills.  Use hot pads or oven mitts when necessary, and be sure that your grilling utensils are long enough to keep your hands and arms clear of the grill’s grates.  Again, keep a special eye out for children who are around the grill since they don’t always realize when a surface is hot until it’s too late.
• Just as important as fire safety are water safety rules.  Pool parties, trips to the beach/lake, or even playing in the kiddie pool in the backyard hold huge risks if not handled properly. Make sure children are NEVER left unattended near water, and if not proficient swimmers, that they have floatation gear on (such as a life vest or arm floats).  Adults and children alike should make sure there is always a “buddy” nearby, whether in the water with them, or sitting close by.  In a pool environment, enforce no running, diving, etc. and avoid roughhousing in the water since this leads to accidents and likely injuries.
• Use basic precautions such as putting on insect repellant and/or sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and gear, etc. based on the environment in which you are spending time. We understand that you might not want to be “weighed down” with remembering details on a vacation, but it’s wroth taking the extra time.  No need to waste a trip to the doctor for something that could have been prevented with some simple preparation.

See?  We didn’t tell you not to go to the beach or lake, or to sit inside instead of enjoying your pool!  We want to see our friends and neighbors out celebrating this summer, but we DON’T want to be helping them file claims based on things that could have been prevented by following the tips above.

If you do end up with an unexpected trip to the hospital or doctor, make sure you’re covered!  We can help you evaluate your current insurance to make sure it’s still the best option for you, or if you are currently uninsured, we can help you find a plan that fits your needs and your budget. Don’t risk being left uncovered!

Celebrate summer along with all of us at Carroll Marshall Insurance!