Stay safe this Summer!

With summer well and truly upon us, it’s time to venture outside and enjoy the sunshine!  The increased heat does however bring warnings on how to keep your family safe, so to help you prepare, Molly Puntis, Personal Injury Claims Handler, gives you her top tips on how to keep you and your family out of harms way.

“We all enjoy different things about the summer, whether it’s getting to the beach, heading to the coast or country for our annual holiday, or dining al fresco with the great British barbecue,” begins Molly.

“The staycation has grown in popularity in recent years, and in 2013, 41 million people decided to stay in the UK for their holiday, a massive increase in previous years.  While this is fantastic news for the British economy, it also brings with it added traffic on the roads so it’s important to be road ready when heading off in your caravan or holiday home.  Plan your route well ahead of time, check the travel updates regularly, ensure you have plenty of food and water in case of breakdowns, and be extra aware of other heavy duty vehicles and motorcycles that you may lose sight of if you’re not used to driving a vehicle larger you’re your normal car.”

Molly continues, “It wouldn’t truly be summer in the UK without the traditional photos on the newspaper front pages depicting crowded beaches, filled with families enjoying the sand and the sea.    The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) reports each year on the rise in injuries during the summer months associated with outside play and activities and many simple steps can be taken to avoid accidents, particularly on the beach.

“Choosing a location that has some memorable landmarks that your child can identify if you do become separated, and ensuring you are near a lifeguard station or medical tent are an excellent way to start your day.   You will all inevitably want to take a dip in the sea, so make sure you and your family stay close to the shore, your children are always supervised, and don’t swim out of your depth so as to be taken surprise by the strong currents.  The sea will also feel cold compared to the outside temperature so when you take your first steps into the water make sure you do so slowly to acclimatise yourself.”

Molly continues, “It’s not just when we’re out and about that we should take extra precautions, but also in our own back garden.  Barbecues are the dining symbol for the summer, and they are also responsible for hundreds of accidents each year, including fire related injuries such as burns and scalds, as well as cuts or tears from the sharp edges of the barbecue itself.  Before lighting up, ensure your barbecue is in good condition, with no broken parts, ensure you’re not in an enclosed space for danger of fumes, be patient and don’t add accelerants, use the correct cooking utensils, and make sure the barbecue properly cooled down before cleaning and tidying it away.   While you’re outside enjoying your barbecue, it’s also important to be aware of any shallow areas of water, such as paddling pools and ponds, as these are potential drowning hazards for young children.

“Accidents can happen any time of the year, but it’s important to be aware of the changing hazards with the changing seasons,” concludes Molly.  “As long as you are aware of these risks and take appropriate precautions, then you and your family can spend the summer outside, and not in A&E.”

If you’d like to know more about how to keep your family safe in the summer, or you wish to discuss an accident you’ve had, you can contact Molly or a member of the Injury Team on 0800 91 92 30 or visit their section of the website here.

ENDS

This is for information purposes only and is no substitute for, and should not be interpreted as, legal advice.  All content was correct at the time of publishing and we cannot be held responsible for any changes that may invalidate this article.