Memorial Day serves as the unofficial start of the summer season. Which also means boating season, grilling season, and pool/beach season! All these different summertime activities are a blast to take part in, but they also have some inherent risks that we need to be aware of, especially during this coming weekend, where many of us will take part in at least one, or potentially all of these.

To help protect yourselves from the hazards associated with these activities, we have provided a few tips below, courtesy of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the New York State Department of State.

Boating Safety:

  • Plan ahead – check the weather, ensure floatation devices are available, registrations are up-to-date, your boat is in proper working order, and that you’ve taken a boater safety course
  • Boat sober
  • Be aware of your surroundings and follow navigational aids
  • Wear your life jacket

    For more tips and information, follow this link: Summer Safe Boating Tips – NASBLA

Grilling Safety:

  • Never use your grill, whether propane or charcoal, indoors
  • Place the grill away from your home, deck railings, eaves, and overhead branches
  • Keep children and pets away while using the grill
  • Clean your grill of grease and fat buildup
  • Never leave your grill unattended

    For additional tips and information, follow this link: Grilling Safety Tip Sheet – NFPA

Pool/Beach Safety:

  • Ensure there is always adult supervision for children who are swimming
  • Choose bright colors to improve visibility
  • Identify swimmers in need of help
  • Pools
    o Make sure barriers (fences, etc.) are up and intact to avoid someone falling in
    o Drain and put away small pools (kiddie pools, dog pools) when not in use
    o Cover pool drains, pipes, and other openings
  • Open Water
    o Wear your life jacket
    o Chose a spot close to a lifeguard station
    o Watch for warning flags and know what they mean
    o Be aware of rip currents, large waves, and strong surf

For additional tips on pool and beach safety, you can follow the New York State Department of State on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

We hope everyone has a fantastic and safe holiday weekend!