Summer. Time to relax and enjoy the fun in your own backyard. But to keep the fun rolling, make sure everyone stays safe and sound.

SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS

If you have a backyard swimming pool, take steps to reduce the likelihood of an accidental drowning. Every year nearly 300 children under the age of 5 drown in swimming pools in the United States, making it the leading cause of death for children in that age range. Tragically, 87% of these deaths occur in backyard pools. The No. 1 rule is never to leave a child unattended or unsupervised around a pool.

Read more: Keep children safe at your home pool

Swimming is the fifth most popular leisure activity in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. All the home pools, commercial pools, hot tubs and spas in use mean a lot of chemicals are being used to keep the water safe for swimmers. But pool chemicals require careful handling.

Read more: Healthy swimming: A matter of chemistry

GRILLING

With more people entertaining at home after a year or more of isolation, it’s time to fire up the grill. Unfortunately, each summer season also brings numerous home fires and burn injuries associated with outdoor grilling activities. In 2018, about 16,600 patients went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving charcoal or gas grills. Keep your family and friends safe with a few safety tips.

Read more: Fire up the grill, but follow simple safety tips

FIRE PITS

Fire pits and chimeneas have become very popular and are widely available for sale at garden and home stores. As you enjoy these products at home with friends, it is important to use them safely.

Read more: Friendly fires: Tips to safely use a fire pit

GARDENING

One of your annual gardening tasks might involve applying a new layer of mulch to help control weed growth, reduce soil erosion and add nutrients to the soil. While your fruits, vegetables or ornamentals might benefit, mulch is a combustible material. Once burning, mulch can be difficult to extinguish.

Read more: Consider the hidden risks of mulching

MOWING

Keeping a lawn green and lush can be a point of pride and a way to expand your living space to your yard. But lawns need to be mowed, and serious injuries can occur if you aren’t careful while mowing. Those with larger lawns may depend on riding mowers to get the job done. But beware of driving them on slopes.

Read more:

Safe mowing practices protect your family

Take care with riding mowers on slopes

This loss control information is advisory only. The authors assume no responsibility for management or control of loss control activities. Not all exposures are identified in this article.