Tips for summer safety

Here's me enjoying summer long, long ago on a ferry trip to Victoria - photo by my dad.

Here’s me enjoying summer long, long ago on the ferry to Victoria, BC – photo by my dad Bruce Main.

Are you ready for some summer fun? I sure am! Here in beautiful British Columbia, we have many ways to enjoy the season – so here are some tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe at work and play.

On the water

The Canadian Red Cross reminds us to wear life jackets and PFDs. They also have tips for backyard pools and much more.

On the roads

Remember to show respect for people working in the Cone Zone on our roads. The Work Zone Safety Alliance asks us to slow down, drive with care, and think about every cone as if a human being were standing behind it.

DriveBC reminds us to get our vehicles summer-ready, which includes checking fluid levels, brakes, tires, and more. It’s also important to check road conditions before a long trip.

The BC SPCA warns us about the risk of leaving pets in a hot car – even in the shade with the windows partly open. Doing so can seriously harm or even kill your pet in very little time. They advise us to call local animal authorities, the police, or RCMP if you see a pet in distress in a vehicle.

In the wilderness

Plan ahead – and know what type of wildlife are living in or near the places you go for recreation. Check out WildSafeBC for more information on avoiding human-wildlife conflict, at play and at work.

And please check out these campfire regulations before you get ready to toast your marshmallows.

Protect yourself from ticks and check out this information on insect repellents.

At picnics, barbecues, and outdoor meals

The US Food and Drug Administration offers these summer food safety tips, including a reminder to keep foods cool, wash your hands after touching raw meat, keep raw and cooked meats separate, and more.

Keep sun safety in mind and avoid the harmful effects of extreme heat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including skin cancer.

Keep cool if you are exercising in hot weather, reminds the Mayo Clinic, and take a look at WorkSafeBC’s Preventing Heat Stress at Work.

Please share these tips with your colleagues, friends, and family – and do let me know if you have any summer safety tips to add.

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