Enjoy your summer safely

Summer is here, at last, with all of its enjoyable warm-weather activities: picnics, hiking, fishing, gardening, swimming, boating, barbeques, and, of course, celebrating the holidays.  Unfortunately, it’s a fact of nature that all of these are accompanied by a certain amount of risk.  Grey Army wants you to have a safe and wonderful time this summer.  So, we have a created the below list of tips for you to keep in mind to reduce the risk of spending any time being treated for injuries from easily avoidable accidents.

 

PROTECT YOURSELF – Stay hydrated and use sunscreen!  This seems pretty obvious, but it’s ridiculously easy to step outdoors for what you think will be just a few minutes, only to wind up distracted by some task that will have you boiling underneath Australia’s very harsh sun rays without even realizing it.  Both sunburn and dehydration sneak up on you, so don’t give them a chance.

 

KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS –  Thanks to Spring we are surrounded by green grass and flowers and the temptation to spruce things up around your home and yard is heightened.  Maybe you’re eyeing a landscaping project, taking down storm windows, cleaning gutters, sanding and re-staining outdoor furniture, washing all the second-story windows, or something else.  Whether it’s a large project or small, don’t jump in until you’ve fully considered the amount of time you can dedicate to it, as well as your personal skill level.  Don’t compromise the project or more importantly your own safety by biting off more than you can chew.  You’ll wind up frustrated and having the project only halfway done by Autumn, and looking nowhere near the way you pictured it in your head!

 

BE SAFE, BE SAFE, AND BE SAFE – Don’t mount a rickety ladder to wash windows, clean gutters or to check the condition of your roof.  Don’t undertake any of these or any other outdoor activities when a thunder and lightning storm is approaching.  Make sure you alert someone before attempting any task that involves working with power tools or takes you up into a tree or onto a ladder—the statistics on people lying injured while unaware family members are just steps away are staggering.  Don’t be one of them!

Don’t prune trees or shrubbery anywhere near power lines.  Don’t dig on your property until you know precisely where any utility cables are buried.

BE CAUTIOUS AND CAREFUL WHEN CELEBRATING – The Christmas to New Year holiday period comes with some uniquely potential hazards:  barbequing, open flames, fireworks, and, in many instances, alcohol.  Adding to the mix are children and pets dashing around, an increased recipe for disaster.  It’s important to exercise caution and to resist temptation.  Leave the fireworks to the experts.  Don’t leave barbeques or open flames unattended for even a few seconds.  If you are entertaining a small group of friends or family, be vigilant.  Have fun, and relax just don’t relax too much.

 

Grey Army wants you to have a Summer to remember for all the right reasons!  We stand ready to assist you with any summertime projects that can help you enjoy your house and yard to their fullest.