Smoke Alarms

Burns

Yield to Emergency Vehicles

Transportation Safety

Earthquake Preparedness

Wildland Fire Safety

Fireworks Safety and Prohibition

Vacation Safety

Recreational Safety

Back to School Safety

Exit Drills in the Home

Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery

Halloween Safety

Cooking & Heating Safety

Holiday & Winter Safety

Recreational Safety

Summer is a time of year to enjoy the outdoors.Whether your hiking, biking, swimming or boating being smart and taking safety precautions will help to make the summer day fun!

Hiking

• DO plan your hike. Take an adequate amount of water and allow sufficient time to complete.

• DO take adequate clothing, food, waterproof matches, map and compass on your hike. Also take a first aid kit in case of minor injuries.

• DO start with easy hikes and build up your fitness level.

• DO weigh your pack. Keep it light enough so it won't hurt your back.

• DON'T keep moving if you get lost. Stay where you are or if possible, move to a cleared area where you will have a better chance of being spotted from the air by a helicopter or a plane.

• DON'T go faster than the slowest member of your group.

• DON'T leave an injured person by himself or herself.

• DON'T go hiking alone...stay in a group.
  

Biking

• Obey all traffic laws and signs. Bicycles must be driven like other motor vehicles.

• Never ride against traffic. Motorists are not looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the road. Ride with traffic to avoid potential accidents.

• Watch out for cars pulling out of driveways or parking stalls. Make eye contact with drivers. Assume they do not see you until you are sure they do.

• Use hand signals. They tell motorists what you intend to do. For turn signals, point in the direction of your turn. Signal as a matter of courtesy and safety as required by law.

• Dress appropriately. Wear a hard-shell helmet whenever your ride. Wear light-colored clothes, especially at night; bright clothing helps you to be visible. Dressing in layers allows you to adjust to temperature changes.

• Avoid road hazards. Watch out for sewer grates, oily pavement, slippery manhole covers, gravel and ice. Cross railroad tracks at right angles. For better control, as you move across bumps and other hazards, stand up on your pedals.

• Be sure your bike is adjusted to fit you properly. Outfit it with a water bottle, tool kit, and spare inner tube. Always use a strong headlight and tail light at night and when visibility is poor.

Swimming

• Never swim alone. If trouble occurs, you are on your own.

• Kids must be supervised by a responsible adult who doesn't leave the pool area.

• Stay alert. Don't doze off in the sun.

• No diving except in the deep end. Dive front ways only and hold arms above your head. Post "No Diving" signs where appropriate.

• No rough horseplay, pushing or shoving either on the deck or in the water.

• Be prepared for an emergency. Have a portable phone near the water and know CPR and water rescue skills.

• Keep all electrical appliances well away from the water. Use battery-operated appliances if possible.

• Get out of the water during electrical storms.

• For pool areas, provide a barrier around it to prevent children from entering the pool unattended. When not in use, secure pool areas by locking the barriers.

• Remove toys from the water when not in use. These toys can attract children.

Boating

• Always use approved floatation devices for all passengers of the boat.

• Never consume alcohol when operating any vessel.

• Make sure the boat is in top operating condition. It should be free of fire hazards and have clean bilges. Have complete knowledge of the boat's operation and handling characteristics.

• Know your position and where you are going. Keep an eye out for changing weather conditions and act accordingly.

• Maintain a safe speed at all times to avoid a collision.

• Know and obey all federal and state regulations and navigational rules of the road.

• Maintain a clear, unobstructed view forward at all times. Keep your attention on the water.most boating collisions are caused by inattention.

• Never overload your boat with passengers and cargo. Too many people or too much gear will cause the boat to become unstable. Distribute the loads evenly fore and act and side to side and fasten gear to prevent shifting.

• When refueling your vessel, turn off engines, all electrical equipment, radios, stoves and other appliances. Extinguish all smoking materials.

• Close all hatches and other openings before fueling.