It’s summertime, and the living is good, or so the song goes. Summer is a time of family fun, barbecues and pool parties, beach days, and road trips. As much fun as this time of year can be, it is also a time rife with peril – unfortunately, many of our favorite pastimes can be dangerous. As a homeowner, you’ll want to make sure you have coverage in case something happens on your property. Let’s take a look at some of the most common summer accidents so that you can prepare and prevent a tragedy.
- Pool Accidents: Drowning is a leading cause of death in small children, but older kids and adults can also be seriously harmed at backyard pools. You may wish to reconsider diving boards (if your pool is less than 9 feet deep) and slides, which cause serious injuries each year. If you have people visiting your pool this summer, establish strict rules about running, diving and roughhousing around the water.
- Bike Accidents: After decades of PSAs, most people understand that children should wear a helmet when riding a bike. But when children are out of school, there are a lot more of them riding bikes on residential streets. Drivers should be extra vigilant when driving through any neighborhoods or around parks and playgrounds – even if there are not normally children around.
- Pedestrian Accidents: During the summer months, a lot more people take to the sidewalks and run errands on foot, often pushing strollers or watching children. During the summer, it is also more likely that children may run out into the streets in front of their homes. Drivers need to be aware and yield to pedestrians, giving them plenty of time to cross the street. Drivers should be aware that in Florida, individuals in pedestrian crosswalks have the right of way, and motorists must stop.
- Playground Accidents: Playgrounds have come a long way when it comes to safety, and they present much less risk than in the past. Still, children need to be watched carefully on playground equipment. Parents should ensure that kids are using the apparatus as intended and not climbing the outside of the equipment. If you are a homeowner with a swing set, playhouse, or tree fort in your yard, make sure that you are adequately covered against any guests or friends of the family who may be injured while on your property.
- Boating Accidents: Living on the Gulf Coast, boating is a way of life for many people. During the summer, being out on the water is a great way to beat the heat. But this time of year, the waterways are packed with boaters, and those driving the boat have to be as diligent as motorists on the highway. It is important to point out that drinking while operating a boat is as devastating – and illegal – as driving drunk in a car. There are many ways people are injured while on a boat, but it is especially important for boaters to keep an eye out for swimmers in the water. If you are the boat owner, be sure that every person on your craft is wearing age and size-appropriate life jackets.
- Car Accidents: With so many more people on the road, summer is a prime season for car accidents. Parents and relatives should never take children in their car without appropriate car seats, and everyone should be buckled. All motorists need to be cognizant of the additional motorcyclists, tourists, and visitors on the road.
One final thought on summer accidents – each year, children die unnecessarily when they are left in cars alone. People are simply not aware of how quickly children can overheat in a hot car in Florida – it only takes a few minutes to prove fatal. Adults who transport children should never leave them alone, even for a few minutes, even with the windows cracked.
Precaution and prevention are important to avoid summer accidents. With just a little extra effort, you can mitigate and avoid many potentially dangerous situations.
Anderson & Associates Insurance Group provides comprehensive homeowner’s insurance in Sarasota and Manatee County.
