Safety Tips For Careful Homeowners and Drivers - Spring 2007

Play It Safe in Your Backyard

Spring is the time we start getting ready to enjoy the summer season. As we work on spring set up and maintenance projects, here are a few things to consider.

Your Barbecue Grill

• Locate the grill in a level, open area, clear of buildings, shrubbery and recreational activities
• Check the grill's legs to make sure they are sturdy and stable
• Check for signs of rusting and any damage to the hoses or connectors to the propane tank
• You are required to use one of the new type propane tanks. If you haven't replaced your tank in a while, do so immediately
• If you use a charcoal grill, pile the briquets in a pyramid and soak with lighter fluid before lighting; never pour additional fluid on a lit fire and never bring a charcoal grill indoors.
• Never leave any grill unattended!

Your Playground Equipment

• Make sure that the swing set is on a level surface and is securely anchored to the ground
• Replace wooden or metal swing seats with softer plastic or rubber seats
• Cap all screws or bolts; check for any loose nuts and bolts, rusty or sharp parts
• Make sure equipment is at least 6 feet from any fences or walls
• Check for hot metal surfaces, such as slides, that could cause burns; consider replacing with a plastic slide.
• Check wooden supports for cracks, rot and rough places that could cause splinters; replace immediately.

Your Pool

• Your fence should be at least 4 feet high and around all 4 sides of the pool. The fence must completely separate the pool from the house and play area.
• Use gates that self-close and are self-latching; place the latches higher than your children's reach.
• Keep safety equipment such as a shepherd's hook and life preserver by the pool at all times; always bring a telephone out to pool when in use
• Enroll in a CPR course and encourage all adolescents and adults in your household to join you in learning CPR
• Make sure everyone knows to remove all pool toys after using the pool; have some place like a shed, garage or latching deck box to store them in to remove temptation from small children.

If you own a power lawnmower, read on.

Over 70,000 children, adolescents and adults are injured by power mowers each year. Common weather conditions when accidents incur: wet grass and damp ground. Common causes of injury: passengers (especially children) on riding mowers or in a cart towed behind a mower; mower being pulled backward; improper mowing pattern on sloping lawn; wearing sandals or open-toed shoes; operator tries to unclog blades with hand or tool.

Common-sense safety tips include:

• Read your power mower manual for proper operation.
• Do not remove safety devices or guards on switches.
• Never insert hands or feet into the mower to remove grass or debris (even with the motor turned off, the blade remains engaged).
• Always use a long stick or broom handle to remove any obstruction.
• Never cut grass when it is wet or when the ground is damp.
• Never allow a child to operate the mower at any time or be in the area to be mowed.
• Never allow passengers, other than the operator, on riding mowers.
• Wear protective boots (steel-toed) and close-fitting long pants.
• Wear safety goggles; consider wearing hearing protectors
• Never refuel mower while it's running; never smoke while refueling.

Boating Safety Tune-up

With spring here, boat owners will be getting their vessels ready for another season of fun and enjoyment. If you haven't taken a boat safety course, now would be a good time to do it. By earning your certification card showing you've passed the MA safe boating exam, you can earn a discount on your boat insurance. The FREE study guide and exam can be found at www.boaterexam.com/usa/massachusetts.

In addition, an online MA Boating Safety Handbook and the MA boating laws can be found at www.boatma.com/government.html.

You also need to meet the state's registration requirements for your craft's classification. Boat registration is handled by the Massachusetts Environmental Police (DEP) Registration and Titling Bureau. You can find out more information and also renew your boat's registration online.

You'll want to make sure that your boat, trailer and other equipment are properly covered by insurance. Contact us for a quote at 508-528-3310.