Summer Safety

Every year we look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics, and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings fires and injuries caused by fireworks and outdoor cooking. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Firework-related injuries and deaths spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Firework Safety

Keep these safety tips in mind when using or around fireworks:

Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Always have an adult supervise firework activities. Many people do not realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.
Light fireworks one at a time, then move away from the fireworks quickly.
Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device while lighting the fuse.
Never point or throw fireworks (including roman candles) at anyone.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in a metal or glass containers.
After fireworks complete their burning, to prevent trash fire, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device.
Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use.
Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

For more information on Firework Safety visit: https://www.cpsc.gov

Burn Safety

Fire and burn injuries do not take a summer vacation. Know how to prevent a burn while you enjoy outdoor activities this summer.

Wear short sleeves or roll up long sleeves when cooking on the grill.
Use long-handled barbecue tools.
Keep a 3-foot safe zone around grills, fire pits and campfires.
Attend public fireworks displays; this leaves the lighting to the professionals.

First Aid for burns:

Place the burn in cool water for three to five minutes.
Cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth.
See your doctor if the burn is larger than your palm.

For more information on Burn Safety visit: Summertime Burn Safety (fema.gov)

Marina & Boating Safety

Boats can be a great source of summer fun and leisure. Boaters, swimmers, and marina staff must be aware of dangers in and around the water. Electrical hazards and carbon monoxide (CO) bring unique risks to the boating world.

Electrical Safety

Electric shock drownings can occur when marina electrical systems leak an electrical current into the water. Boats can also serve as the source of an electrical leakage. Leakage can cause a shock that can injure, disable, or kill a person.

Never allow swimming near the boat, marina or launching ramp since residual current could flow into the water from the boat or the marina’s wiring.
Be sure your boat is well maintained. Have your boat inspected each year. Ask a qualified marine electrician to do this job.
Ground fault circuit interrupters and equipment leakage circuit interrupters should be installed and tested monthly. Run tests to find out if electrical current is leaking from the boat.
Only use cords intended for marine use. Never use household cords near water.
Know where your main breakers are on both the boat and the shore power source. This will help you respond quickly in an emergency.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is a gas you cannot see, taste, or smell. CO is created when fuels such as gasoline, diesel, or propane do not burn fully. CO is also produced when wood or charcoal is burned. Sources of CO on your boat may include engines, gas, generators, and cooking ranges.

Poorly tuned engines produce more CO. Keep your engine properly maintained.
Proper ventilation for both engine and generator exhaust vents must be clear, and pipes should be inspected for leaks.
Get into fresh air right away and get help if you feel or suspect symptoms of CO poisoning. These include headache, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, nausea, or seizures.
Do not swim near the boat’s exhaust vents. CO accumulates there.
Install CO alarms inside your boat. Test CO alarms before each trip.
If the CO alarm sounds, move to a fresh air location right away.

For more information on Marina and Boat Safety visit: BoatingSafetyTips.pdf (ri.gov)

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SafetyFIRST! is for internal use and informational purposes only. Questions may be directed to CrisisMgmt@intactinsurance.com