By:  Arsen Hovsepian, Building Technician (APPA Health and Safety Committee Member)

Summer is here; activities and chores are piling up. In this article, there are few tips on different topics and how to have a safe summer.

Renovations:

Summer is the best season to renovate your home. The question is, how confident are you in using power tools safely, understanding construction laws and codes to carry out these renovations. Even the simplest renovation can take a turn for the worse, if the wrong tool is used and/or if building material is damaged or incorrectly installed. Your work might look good now but eventually it might cause damage to your home or cause injury. Looking into hiring a professional contractor may be the best decision.

CO detectors and Fire Extinguishers:

Regularly test the functionality of the different detectors in your home. Verify that the detectors are properly located in your home such as the kitchen, the hallway, and the entrance into your home from the garage, etc. Replace the detectors every ten years regardless of condition. An incident without a functional detector could cause major damage and injuries.

The same goes for fire extinguishers; regularly inspect extinguishers for pressure gauge readings (should be in the green zone) and any physical damage. If not, they can affect your liability. They should be placed in easy access locations where fires might occur. Also, make sure everyone in your home knows where they are and how to use them.

Cleaning products:

You might think mixing different cleaning products could result in a shinier floor or cleaner oven. But this could cause more damage to not only your appliances but to your health. Mixing the wrong products together creates by-products such as toxic gases. Always read the label before proceeding. Also, be sure to wear the proper personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, and coveralls).

Pools:

Whenever you are enjoying the pool or any body of water, there are many instances where fun in the sun can take a wrong turn. Luckily, there are several rules to observe and follow. Always make sure that pools are surrounded by an enclosure of at least 4ft (1.2m) in height. Enclosures could prevent a lot of harm and injury from a miscalculated step or from an unsupervised child falling into the pool. Ensure all family members can swim and always supervise children under the age of 16. Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Know your limitations and fitness level. Do not swim or boat under the influence.

Wild Animals or Insects:

Insects can cause fear and panic, for many because of the way they look, for some, for an even worse reason, allergies. For those with allergies a simple sting or bite might cause horrible pain or a visit to the hospital.

Some ways to prevent a sting or a bite would be to check your surroundings, making sure no hives or stagnant water are present. If ever taking part in outdoor activities where insects might be present simple tricks that help would be to tuck in your pants to your socks and wearing long sleeve shirts. Always having an EpiPen or allergy medication nearby and recognizing the symptoms of dangerous bites will help avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital.

Wild animals fear us more than we do them. Unless provoked or threatened, we have no worries. Best would be to keep our distance, especially if they have their offspring near them or during mating season. We should also not feed them for them to not to get used to human interactions and expect food. Make sure you are visible to them, and your presence is heard to not frighten them.

Sun Exposure

Enjoying the gorgeous summer sunshine is necessary for our mental and physical well-being. But necessary precautions are needed to avoid long-term risks such as sunburn or even worse skin cancer. The minimum one needs to be safe under the sun for long hours would be sunscreen lotion, drinking water and proper shade. Sunscreen lotion should be at least 30 SPF and recommended time under the sun should be limited especially during the peak sun hours. Shade may be from clothing such as long sleeve shirts, pants, hats or even actual shade such as trees, umbrellas, or awnings. If ever feeling drowsy and weak, finding permanent shade and speaking to a medical professional is highly recommended.

Enjoy your summer and your vacations but be safe and hopefully these tips will be helpful for you to have a safe and pleasant time off.