Sharing a meal from the grill is a great way to kick off summer this holiday weekend.
Memorial Day traditionally marks the start of summer: a time to grill on the patio, take the boat out, work in the garden or make a dent in that list of home improvement projects. Whatever your chosen activity, here are some safety and consumer tips from our blog.
Grilling and outdoor dining
Since the start of the pandemic, people are spending more time on their porches, patios, decks and other outdoor living spaces. Grilling at home is a fun way to share a meal and avoid the high costs of eating out. Unfortunately, every summer season there are numerous home fires and burn injuries associated with outdoor grilling activities.
Fire up the grill, but follow simple safety tips
Boating and watercraft
Based on reported sales figures, boating has been lifted by the pandemic tide. But even experienced sailors can benefit from a refresher on marine safety. Most important: Wear a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket. In 2020, the Coast Guard reported that 75% of boating deaths were due to drowning, and 86% of those victims were not wearing a life jacket.
A refresher on water sports and boating safety
Gardening and yard work
Sticking close to home, people wanted to beautify their own little corner of the world. And boy, how widely requested it is by the weekend crowd at the neighborhood garden center. It can be comfortable to work outdoors with plants and earth, but you don’t want to overdo it. Read these tips on how to protect yourself from the sun, insects, and the aches and pains of repetitive strain injuries.
Gardening tips to protect your green thumb…and more
Home maintenance and DIY projects
With the extra hours of sunlight in summer, it’s tempting to knock a few items off the home repair list. You may want to take a chance on maintaining your hardscape after any damage from winter cold and heat. If your home project requires power tools, brush up on their safe use and care and remember to wear goggles, hearing protection, or other personal protective gear. Woodchippers, in particular, can be dangerous and deserve special attention. And when you’re done with your project, dispose of any paint or chemicals in a safe, environmentally friendly way.
Maintain your hardscape cobblestone and paver walkways
7 tips for safe use of power tools at home
Woodchippers are efficient, but demand extra precautions
Hazardous Waste: Proper Disposal Considerations
This loss control information is advisory only. The authors assume no responsibility for conducting or controlling loss control activities. Not all exposures are identified in this article. Contact your local, independent insurance agent for coverage advice and policy service.