Are you ready for summer?
While summer is a great time to relax, enjoy the sun, and just have fun, you also want to make sure your home and the things you use during the summer are safe and well-maintained.
Follow these safety tips and perform the following maintenance recommendations to protect your family and property this summer.
General Items
- Check all recreational equipment and review outdoor safety tips.
- Check your wood deck or concrete patio for possible deterioration.
- Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs.
- Check the exterior siding and your home’s interior for water leaks.
- Check all window and door locks for proper operation.
- Inspect your roof for potential leaks once every few years.
- Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Check your water heater and the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator ice-maker, and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles.
- Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer.
- Socialize your dog to help reduce potential dog bites.
Swimming Pool Safety
Pool equipment should always be checked frequently.
- Consider removing diving boards—at a minimum, check them periodically to make sure bolts are tightened, the base is secured to the concrete, and surfaces are slip-resistant.
- Pool slides can be particularly dangerous—never go down the slide headfirst and make sure bolts are tightened and secured.
- Provide handrails where narrow or steep steps are present and cover steps with non-skid material. Check routinely to make sure they are secure and have no sharp edges—also replace all broken treads.
- Make sure there is secure fencing around any pool to keep children and unauthorized individuals from the pool area. All gates should be self-closing and lockable.
- Completely remove pool covers when anyone is in the pool. Extreme care should be taken to prevent children from climbing on top of the cover or getting caught underneath. Check the cover often and remove water that accumulates on top—make sure the cover is properly anchored and tied down.
- Make sure there is rescue equipment around the pool. Depth markings should be completely visible to all swimmers.
- Secure all grates and drains so they cannot be removed without the use of tools. Instruct all swimmers on the dangers of entrapment and drowning that can occur when fingers, toes, or the body come too close to these items. Anyone with long hair should also be cautioned not to get his or her hair near a pool outlet because the suction can be strong enough to hold even an adult under water.
- Follow manufacturer directions for proper storage of all pool chemicals in a clean, well-ventilated area that can be secured.
- Make sure all electrical appliances are kept away from the pool and use ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) outlets at outside receptacles.
Trampoline Safety
- Trampolines should be used only with adult supervision—including spotters.
- Beginners should wear elbow and knee pads over their clothing.
- No jewelry, belts with buckles, or other dangling items should be worn.
- Place the trampoline away from obstructions and use ground mats to soften a fall. (The surface surrounding the trampoline should also be soft.)
- There should be only one person on a trampoline at a time—horseplay should not be permitted.
- No one should use the trampoline when tired, on medication, or under the influence of alcohol.
- Consider using safety devices, such as a harness-like belt that attaches to the sides of the trampoline to keep the jumper centered.
- Somersaults are the leading cause of quadriplegic injuries—they should never be allowed.
Decks and Porches
- Check your wood deck or concrete patio for possible deterioration.
- If you find any exposed wood surfaces, they should be stained or painted.
- Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs.
Other Safety Ideas for Stairs
- Tile and painted wood or concrete stairs can be slippery when wet or when a person’s shoes are wet. Resurface the treads with slip-resistant strips near the stair nosing.
- All stairs of at least three risers should have a handrail.
- Do not store items on the stairs.
Protect Your Home With Homeowners Insurance
Making sure that your home is safe for you and your family this summer will give you peace of mind, as well as continue to make your home ownership a happy and healthy experience.
Be sure to also protect yourself with affordable home insurance. Contact us today to learn how Bock Agency can help with your homeowner's policy. We offer home insurance tailored to your needs in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania including the Greensburg, Irwin, N. Huntingdon, Pittsburgh, and Trafford areas. Request a homeowners insurance quote today.