Off the Job Safety Tips: Recreation ? summittrainingsource

This?June?Summit wants to give you safety tips that will last all summer long for those off-the-job projects and activities you have planned for warmer weather. ?So make sure to stay tuned in June for?new off-the-job safety tips every week?to make safety a top priority so you can better enjoy your summer!

Our second week of June off-the-job safety tip is about Recreation. ?Recreation could mean anything from grilling to sports to fireworks.

GRILLING -?In 2005-2009, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of?8,200 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including an average of 3,400 structure fires and 4,800 outside fires. These 8,200 fires caused an annual average of 15 civilian deaths, 120?civilian injuries and $75 million in direct property damage.

Safety Tips for Grilling from the NFPA:

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be?used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the?home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away?from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat?buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before?lighting it.

SPORTS -?The Center for Disease Control reports that?318 people?die each year from heat-related illnesses, some or all of which could be prevented by adequate hydration and heat protection.

Stay safe playing sports with these safety tips:

• ?Make sure you are properly hydrated before recreational play and after.
• Lather up on sunscreen (and don?t forget to reapply!)
• Learn the symptoms of and how to handle heat related illnesses.
• If riding a bike or doing any other activity that may result with a head injury, wear a helmet
• Wear protective, properly fitting equipment

BOATING -?The 2011 statistics gathered in the Boating Accident Report Database report that nearly 70% of all fatal recreational boating accident victims died from drowning.? Of those victims, 84% were not wearing a personal?flotation?device. ?In 2011, there were 4588 accidents, 758 deaths, 3081 injuries, and $52 million in damage reported from recreational boating accidents.

The?VDGIF offers these safety tips when you are boating:

• Always wear your life jacket
• Stay low in the boat and maintain three points of contact
• Keep one person in the boat while loading supplies
• Keep three points of contact if you reach outside the hull of the boat
• Keep an even, balanced load
• Do not attach the anchor line to the stern of the boat
• Stay low in the boat when pulling up the anchor
• Head the bow of the boat directly into the seas or up to a 45 degree angle in rough waters
• Don?t exceed allowable weight, horsepower rating, or maximum number of people

FIREWORKS -??Approximately?9300 people?nationwide are seriously injured by fireworks every year, with?40% of all fireworks related injuries?due to illegal fireworks that have been banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.?Every year, fireworks?are the reason for?400 Americans to lose sight?in one or both eyes, for?more than?20,000 fires?every year, and for approximately?4 deaths.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety has some safety tips for you:

• Use fireworks outdoors only.
• Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
• Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).
• Only use fireworks as intended. Don?t try to alter them or combine them.
• Never relight a ?dud? firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a ?designated shooter.?
• Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
• Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you! Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.

Have fun with your off-the-job projects! And remember to stay safe!

~Get Social with Summit Training Source~

Twitter: Sara Wesche?@SafetyTraining1, Stephanie Zizzo?@SafetySteph

Facebook:?https://www.facebook.com/SummitTrainingSource

Visit Summit?s ?Under the Hard-Hat Blog: Confessionals of a Safety Professional?http://safeaholic.wordpress.com/

Like this:

Be the first to like this.

Tags: Boating Safety, Fireworks, Grilling, Recreation, Recreational Safety, sports safety, Summer safety, Summit Training Source

steelers charles barkley beyonce troy polamalu james harrison james harrison falcons