Summer’s here, and that means backyard parties by the pool with goodies on the grill and s’mores around the firepit! Along with all that fun comes the responsibility of keeping your friends, neighbors, and guests safe at your shindigs.

Before you plan your next big bash, here are some safety tips to keep everyone accident-free.

Grill of your dreams

A staple of backyard summer parties, your grill is the source of mouth-watering treats, from hot dogs and chicken to savory steaks and hot corn on the cob. But there are some grill safety rules to observe in order to avoid injuries and possible liability.

The National Fire Protection Agency reveals that 8,900 home fires were caused by outdoor grilling, with ten deaths, 160 injuries, and more than $100 million in property damage.

Here are some tips to keep it from happening to you:

• At the start of the season, check the grill for gas leaks
• Become friends with a fire extinguisher and keep it handy
• Locate the grill at least ten feet from your house
• Avoid flying cinders, especially around dry grass
• Keep festive decorations away from the grill
• Keep an eye on the grill. If you have to step away, have a grill partner keep watch while you’re gone
• Keep children away from the grill
• Don’t overload the grill; too much food on it is dangerous
• Keep your grill clean after each use to avoid grease fires

Stay cool in the pool

Sipping a tropical umbrella cocktail by the pool is right out of a dream.

Observe some pool safety rules to keep it from becoming a nightmare!

The National Safety Council says that of 7,000 drownings each year, more than three quarters of them take place in home pools and spas.

Don’t let your loved ones and friends join these statistics! Keep your pool a safe place by following these tips:

• Maintain adult supervision at all times
• Do not allow running or roughhousing around the pool
• Ensure guests can swim before they enter your pool
• Keep a cell phone handy in case of emergency
• Keep flotation devices and poles nearby in case rescue becomes necessary
• Keep a high fence around your pool, and keep the gate locked to prevent neighborhood children from sneaking in unsupervised.

Around the fire pit

Who doesn’t love gathering around a fire on a cool summer night? Toasted marshmallows, s’mores and grilled wieners come to mind.

Always remember that fire is not to be regarded without safety precautions. Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces cause thousands of grass and brush fires each year.

The last thing you need is setting a dry lawn on fire or torching the woods behind your home.

Here are some fire pit safety tips:

• Never leave a fire unattended or without adult supervision
• Keep flammable items three feet or more away from the fire
• Always have a fire extinguisher or hose nearby
• Don’t walk away from a fire until you’re certain that all embers are extinguished
• Keep a cell phone and first aid kit handy for emergencies

Here are five tips from the NFPA for keeping your fires safe.

Final thoughts

Speaking of those exotic umbrella cocktails, consider drinking in moderation at summer parties. It’s always best to keep your wits about you. If you notice that a some of your guests have had a few too many, arrange for a safe ride home, or offer to let them spend the night.

As James Taylor sang about summer, “It’s my favorite time of the year, and I’m glad that it’s here.” Wishing all of you a fun and safe summer!

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It’s holiday time once again. For many people, it’s their favorite time of the year. With delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen, the twinkle of Christmas lights, that tangy Christmas tree smell, the excited voices of children ­– it’s the time to rejoice in glad tidings. Basking in the warm, holiday glow can make it easy to let your guard down. Don’t! We at Peter Young Home Inspections urge to you to keep your holidays joyous by observing some common sense safety precautions.

Lights

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Lights transform holidays into magical feasts for the eyes. Here are a few ways to enjoy your holiday lights without YOU lighting up like a Christmas tree.

• Who doesn’t love the smell of scented candles? Remember to keep candles away from decorations and combustible materials. NEVER use candles to decorate a Christmas tree. Trees dry out as time goes by, making them a serious fire hazard when flames are nearby.
• Inspect new and used light strings carefully. Check for loose or broken bulbs are frayed wiring. Repair or replace damaged components before plugging the lights in.
• When mounting lights, guide them through hooks or insulated staples. Do not use nails or tacks.
• Don’t overload extension cords. Use high quality power strips equipped with surge protectors.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. If a wire becomes frayed, the tree can become an electrical conductor, presenting risk of injury or death by electrocution.
• Be sure outdoor lights, wires and cords are rated for outdoor use.
• Plug outdoor lights and decorations into circuits equipped with ground fault interrupters (GFI) to prevent electrical shocks. If you’re not sure if your outdoor receptacles have GFIs, please consult an electrician.
• Shut off all lights and other electrical decorations when you go to sleep or leave the house. Unattended holiday lights can short out and cause fires.
• Keep children and pets away from lights and other electrical decorations. Always hang lights and decorations at least six inches higher than children can reach. 

Christmas Trees

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Nothing says Christmas better than that wonderful fir tree smell! Here are some ways to enjoy your tree in safety.

• Buying a live tree? Always check for freshness. The tree should be vibrant and green. Needles should be hard to pull from branches and should not break when bent between your fingers.
• Set up your live tree in a stand that allows for easy watering. Cutting a few inches off the trunk to expose fresh wood lets your tree absorb more water and keeps it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water.
• Prevent your tree from tipping over by making sure the stand is big enough and sturdy enough for the size of your tree.
• Set up your tree away from heat sources, such as radiators, electric heaters, fireplaces, and woodstoves.
• Keep pets away from your tree whenever possible. Also, if you have pets, don’t use edible decorations on your tree, such as strings of popcorn. Your pet may try to eat them and bring the tree crashing down.
• If you are purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as “fire-resistant.”

Entertaining

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The best part of holidays is time spent with loved ones. Here are some ways to keep them safe.

• Never leave small children unattended while you are entertaining guests. If your attention is elsewhere, be sure to have a babysitter, relative, or older sibling taking care of the children.
• Keep children away from ovens, stoves, and hot surfaces. If possible, keep them out of the kitchen while you are preoccupied with cooking.
• Keep an eye on your guests. Serve alcohol in moderation so nobody drives home intoxicated.
• Always use timers when cooking. A common cause of holiday fires is food burning in the oven.

Follow these simple tips and stay safe for the holidays. In whatever way you choose to celebrate, we wish you and yours a joyous holiday season.

Knowledge is power!

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As holidays approach, now is a good time to assess your house for “childproofing.” All of us here at Peter Young Home Inspections want to you enjoy the holidays without having to worry about the safety of your children or young visitors. Here are some ways to make your home safer for the little ones.

Safety latches & locks

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are hazardous places for children.  Medicines, household cleaners, sharp knives, and more need to be kept out of children’s reach. Safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers keep kids out and ensure your peace of mind. Ask at your home supply store or shop online for cabinet and drawer safety latches and locks.

Door locks

This one is simple: Locked doors help keep children from entering hazardous areas, such as laundry rooms and swimming pool enclosures. Be sure to install locks on these areas, and place them higher than children can reach.

Outlet covers & plates

Those common plastic plug inserts that you see in people’s homes: forget them! Most children older than two can just pull them out of the outlet. There are other options, such as the total outlet cover (pictured at right) or sliding receptacle covers. Ask at your home supply store, check in baby stores, or search online for child outlet covers.

Window guards & safety netting

Window guards and safety netting for balconies and decks can help keep kids safe from serious falls. If you use window guards, be sure there are no more than four inches of space between bars, or children can become trapped. Also, be sure one window in each room is left unbarred as an emergency fire escape. Keep this one closed and secured with a window latch out of children’s reach. WARNING: Don’t rely on window screens to prevent fall injuries. They can rip or pop out easily.

Safety gates

Avoid accidents on stairs and keep children out of dangerous areas with safety gates. Look for gates that children can’t open but are easy for adults to open and close. Look for gates with a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) safety seal. These are far safer than older gates, which may have V shapes large enough to trap a child’s head or neck. Replace older gates if you are not sure. Gates at the top of staircases should be secured to the wall.

Window blind cords

Window blind cords and children are a dangerous combination. Despite improvements in the industry, children continue to be killed or injured by blind cords. For safety, cordless blinds are best. If your home has corded blinds and you can’t afford to replace them, cut the cord loops, remove the buckles, and install safety tassels designed to break in half under pressure.

These are all simple, common sense solutions to help make your home safer for children, not only during the upcoming holidays, but all year long. Be sure to take some time and effort to make your home child safe.

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