Mother Nature hasn’t exactly delivered a picture postcard version of summer to Michigan’s Great Southwest on this first official day of summer, but rain slicked roads are just one more reminder that safety needs to be a top priority if your family wants to avoid unscheduled trips to the emergency room.
In fact, the State Police and State Fire Marshal are taking today’s Summer Solstice as an opportunity to remind you to put safety first in all your summer endeavors to ensure a happy outcome for every outing.
While enjoying Pure Michigan at home or on the road, officials are urging your care and consideration of a whole host of safety tips from Michigan State Police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue and State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer. Together, they are calling for common sense, a watchful eye on the kids, and ongoing vigilance in every activity to help you and the entire family have fun and avoid potential mishaps or worse, tragedies.
Here are some key areas to think about, and tips on how to handle them:
Hot cars
“Hot cars can kill. It’s never, under any circumstance, okay to leave a child in a parked vehicle unattended,” says Col. Etue. “If you see someone or a pet trapped in a hot car, notify authorities immediately.”
- Always check the vehicle for passengers and pets after parking.
- The inside of a parked car can soar to 120 degrees in minutes on a 78-degree day; and reach 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes on a 90-degree day.
- Heat stroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related death for children 14 years old and younger.
- If you see a person or pet trapped in a hot car, have the driver paged in the nearby store and/or call 911 immediately.
Fireworks
“Potential for carbon monoxide poisoning and accidents is a concern in a lot of summer activities, including fireworks, camping and backyard grilling,” says Sehlmeyer. “Remember to keep the kids away from the fireworks, and always keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water handy when lighting fireworks.”
- Fireworks are explosives and any mishaps can result in irreparable injury or death.
- If you set off fireworks, always purchase them from an authorized retailer; look for the seller’s license displayed. Never purchase fireworks packaged in brown paper. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.
- Adult supervision is a “must” with fireworks and sparklers.
- Keep people and pets out of range before lighting fireworks.
- Light fireworks one at a time, back away immediately to a safe distance.
- Light fireworks outdoors on a driveway or other paved surface at least 25 feet away from houses and highly flammable materials such as dry grass or mulch.
- Sparklers pose a high burn risk; children are being injured by being poked with sparkler wires.
- Always keep a bucket of water or a running garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Douse spent fireworks and sparklers in a bucket of water before discarding them.
- Never re-light “dud” fireworks that have not fully functioned; (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
- A safe way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional firework display.
Grilling
“Proper grill maintenance is key in preventing fires while cooking outside this summer,” says Sehlmeyer.
- Grills are not only a fire hazard they release carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless, colorless gas.
- Check for leaks or breaks with gas grills.
- Clean the grill before using to eliminate fire hazard with heavy grease buildup.
- Never grill indoors or in the garage; never on a balcony.
- Always grill outdoors.
- Grill on a level surface at least 10 feet away from the house, garage, deck, anything that can catch fire.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
- Never leave the grill unattended.
- Don’t overload the grill with food. Excessive fat and grease dripping on flames can ignite large flare ups.
- Keep a fire extinguisher close by and know how to use it; keep a spray bottle or bucket of water handy for minor flare ups.
Camping
- Never use fuel-burning equipment such as gas stoves, heaters, lanterns, and charcoal grills inside a tent, camper, or other enclosed shelter to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Campfires, fire pits — always keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby.
- Protect against mosquitos, ticks, insect bites as they carry disease.
- Protect against sunburn. Keep covered up and lathered up with a high SPF sunscreen.
- Pack an emergency kit.
Swimming
“Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. Children should always be supervised by an adult around pools or any body of water,” says Col. Etue. “Always swim with a buddy and never alone; teach children to never go near the water without an adult.”
- Never leave children unattended near any body of water or pool.
- If you are around water and your child is missing ALWAYS check the water first. Seconds count.
- Drowning is the leading injury-related cause of death for children ages 1-4; it’s the third leading cause of injury related death among children age 19 and under.
- Always jump in feet first to check the depth of the water before diving in.
- Never dive in the shallow end of a pool or into above-ground pools.
- Wear Coast Guard approved life jackets while on a boat or around an open body of water or while playing water sports.
Boating
“’Never drink and drive’ applies to operating a boat the same as driving a car,” reminds Etue. “For everyone’s safety, never operate a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.”
- Equip you and your passengers with Coast Guard approved life jackets.
- Complete a boater’s safety course to know and understand your boat’s full operation.
- Know boating laws and be courteous to other boaters.
- Always check water and weather conditions before taking the boat out.
- Don’t overload the boat with passengers and cargo.
- Nearly 71 percent of all boating fatalities are caused by drowning and 85 percent are a result of not wearing a life jacket.
